Radiation recovery
Comments
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Thank you Josie!0 -
Kate - I am hoping that your body was just having a bad day. You have been through so much already. I know it is hard to not think the worst when you are alone.My mind goes nuts all the time. Talk to your Drs tomorrow and keep us posted. No more crappy chemo is all I want for you pretty lady.
RunFree - My lymposites etc are always off. My WBC can be a bit off too. They told me that is my immune system fighting some little bothersome thing or another. My Dr usually does a 3 week follow up and it goes away. Might that be the case with the rash? Your body is fighting that rash and that is why it is a bit off. Do not go to any sites about bad stuff. The stress alone will cause you to go nuts.
Thanks for the good wishes Sab, Cindy, Joan, Kate and others. I want you to know I spent last night in the ER again after a kidney stone on the other side. Yes I passed another. I kept trying to take a pain pill but the nausea from the pain was too bad. So at 3am I called 911. Ambulance ride was really crazy. They did not lay me down because I could not stay that way in pain so I was sitting. The truck was swaying all over the place and yes my Vertigo was acting up. When I got to the ER there were no rooms because MSU had just won the football game and they had tons of drunk college students. So I was laying in the hallway in pain being checked in. You have to laugh because who esle would get a stone at that time but me. Once again I was given Morphine. Makes me loopy but I needed it for the pain. I passed the stone there and it was huge they said. They could not find a vein and stuck me 4 times. Finally got a vein and then about 10 minutes in my arm started to hurt really bad. The IV came out and my arm was swelling from fluid. I asked the DR am I all done. He said nope I have 1 more in each kidney so I am getting a referral to another Dr. A kidney specialist. They have to figure it all out. I was sleeping all day but am ok now.0 -
I bunkie, did I miss something? What the check is causing those stones? Do you take supplements?
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Lost a long post, don't you hate when that happens?!
Run free I was mostly answering-here's the short version
Book is about 15 year old daughters drug addiction and recovery
Job is ok-a biiiiiiiiiggggggg adjustment.
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Wow! Just got back from a weekend at my cousin's country house and can't believe what y'all have been dealing with. Alarming all around, and all at once, it seems. Sure this week brings better "stuff" to all!0 -
BUNKIE, I'm sorry you are having such problems with these kidney stones.Do they know what kind of stones they are? Are they calcium oxlate?My husband gets the Uric Acid stones.
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geeze ladies, everything's happening all at once.
Bunkie...man, you've got 2 more to pass? Yuck, girl....do margaritas help?
Sab...so exciting about seeing the editor.....way to go girl....
Cindy, you certainly don't leave any dust under your feet! I'm loving the idea of just leaving everything behind and accomplishing the move that way. Better yet, go spend a day or 2at the lake and maybe the magic genie will do all the work before you come back. I wish I had a magic genie
Josie...sent out those resumes yet? Or still dreaming about it.... I do hope the rearranged job is getting better
Kate...think you must still be having retail therapy, or was it dinner in Malibu? Hope you enjoyed yourself
RunFree...ok, you made me get out my lab work file. I, personally, with absolutely no medical training, think you're allergic to the tamoxifen hence the rash. Your body is trying to fight off the invasion of the big T. And thus your lymphs are down... My absolute lymphs went below normal when I had an amazing virulent reaction to Prolia with a full body rash which looked like hives, poison oak, measles, chicken pox, shingles and just plain a ugliness all over my body. My rash only lasted 10 days and was gone. My blood went nuts. Initially only WBC and absolute lymphs and absolute neutrophils went below normal. 8 days later, when rash was going away but not totally gone, my WBC, RBC , HCT, and absolute neutrophils were all low and abs. Lymphs was borderline. 2 weeks after that, the absolute counts were just at the low of normal and the RBC, HGB and HCT we're still low. At that point we changed from 3 week follow up tests to a longer time. So, several months later, my WBC, RBC, hgb, HCT and absolute NEU were all low. I think I was coming down with a sore throat. A month later they were still low but a month after that they were fine.
So...if you're still awake thru all that Run Free...I think you're going to have to get that rash settled before you let any weird blood tests bother you. I'd think the thing to try is a Big T vacation, longer than just a week to see if it helps. You could always join us on the A team if necessary....it's not such a bad place.
Hey Joan, glad you've enjoyed your time with the 3 yr old. It's nice to get some quality time with the little ones and was probably less challenging than your climbing around in Colorado.
I've gotten thru my upper endoscopy just fine, but apparently not only have GERD and a hiatal hernia, but also Barrett's syndrom (a change in the cells of the esophagus). Now I've survived a PH test which involves a tube up the nose, down to the stomach which you wear for 24 hours. It senses the ph of gasses in the esophagus. Makes a great Halloween costume I must say. Now I wait for the results....my worst fear is that the tube really was curled up in my throat and not reading anything and they will want to do it again...NOT!
Hope everyone had a great weekend....winter is arriving here in northern cal and we're getting quite cold at night. Time to start quilting.....0 -
Joan, Josie, Cindy, Sab, and Runfree thank you so much for the support. I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me.
Cindy I ahope your move goes smoothly
Runfree I am sorry that you have concerns, and I hope you get the answers you need soon
My hairdresser came today, and colored and cut my hair. I had a bad night worrying, so I was so glad to see her this morning. I didn't sleep well last night, because I was so worried, so I didn't go retail shopping today.
Unfortunately my right leg, and foot are definitely swollen again. I can tell that the malignant lymph nodes are pressing on my veins. I walked a few blocks today, and it caused me to be out of breath, because of the extra weight. My thigh feels like it weighs a 100 pounds. It is not as bad as it was before. I am worried, because without treatment it will only get worse. I don't know if there is any other treatment that will help besides chemo, and God only knows I don't want to do chemo now. Last night my right cancer breast became very tight, and I could feel swelling under my arm. It is better today, and I have no clue what that was about.
I still haven't heard from doc. I know he doesn't do email Saturday night or Sunday morning, and afternoon, but am hoping I will hear from him tonight.0 -
Sew, you have been through a lot lately too.How could you stand a tube going down your throat for 24 hrs?
I have been applying online lately for jobs most healthcare jobs require you to go online to apply especially hospitals.Friday someone called for me and They were asking what my last name was.The lady from the phone room asked me if I wanted to release that info.I told her ok because I just applied online the other day and They could have verified my work history.
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Sorry but I missed your posts Bunkie and Sew. Thank you for the support
Sew, sorry you had to endure an uncomfortable test, and I hope you get good results
Bunkie, I am so sorry you were at Er last night. ( I almost joined you. For the first time I was so frightened about swelling I almost went, and then I calmed myself down) So sorry you were in pain. I am so glad you are feeling better now0 -
Josie,
Good idea to let them give your name. And, even more promising that you're getting nibbles.... And, as far as the tube....it's called no choice! But I was very happy to get the blasted thing out I must say!
Kate....oh dear, I too hope you don't have to have more chemo this soon. Fingers crossed that this is all due to walking too far on Friday. I bet the refreshed hair color and cut look super.....just keep checking the mirror instead of emails....it might keep you occupied0 -
Sew, thanks so much for the support. I have been drugging myself with computer games, to take my mind off of it.0 -
Kate,
I am sorry about your leg swelling again. I hope your doctor gets back to you soon. The tightness in your breast may be due to stress. Anytime, I get really stressed out, the bad breast gets tight. I hope you feel better soon.0 -
Kate, I love solitaire games.....Freecell, Spider and mah Jong r my current favorites0 -
Mostly sew I like solitaire games, but I also like to play cards with people online. I play spades and hearts, and while playing get to chat with people all over the world.
New2bc thanks so much for the support. It helps me feel better emotionally to talk about it and get support. Thanks for letting me know that when you get stressed your bad breast tightens, maybe that is exactly what happened to mine0 -
Bunkie, after all you've gone through the past couple of months, I can't believe you had to pass not one, but two stones in such a short time and there are two more to go. Any chance they can do that ultrasound in the bathtub thing and save you agonizing agony? You are such a strong person, but just because you're strong shouldn't mean you have to prove it over and over and over and. . . . . You just deserve a break.Kate, so sorry you're going through the lymphedema thing again. Really, really hoping your onc has some good ideas. Like you, I am easily drugged into oblivion by computer games. My choice is Spyder solitaire. I find it's very good for my figure, as I can't be simultaneously swinging the refrigerator door and sliding those cards around.
Sew, your Halloween costume sounds rally scary! Not to worry too much about the Barrett's-- I just had my three-year follow-up and it's totally unchanged. Now I get to go five years before they take another look. As it seems my proton pump inhibitor works, I didn't get the Halloween costume, but not terribly disappointed. I just read somewhere that that class of drugs speeds up the process of osteopenia/porosis. I guess I knew it before, but now that I'm on arimidex, I probably have to start paying more attention to my calcium intake.
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Thanks everyone for the support on here. I am waiting for a kidney Dr appt. Just what I need is another DR but if not for them and going to the store I would have no real life. Haha.
Stones are only dangerous when they get stuck and block urine output. Had that happen once and they did surgery to yank it out. They seem to be calcium that is caused by my disease. We always spend so much time looking at the disease but now it is time to spot check the symptoms. Prednisone keeps it in check at higher doses but not at the current dose. Catch 22. Keep the steroid low and help the body fight off osteopouous, cataracts, weight gain etc but you allow stones etc to form. Once a stone will pass you are fine. I got my first stone in 95 and they found the Sarcoid in 2003. We think my body was building up the disease during that time but I had no symptoms. Anyway it is a constant struggle to manage my body and the BC really set off changes. I seem to be ok today except for the morphine hangover. That is some strong stuff and usually takes a few days to work out of my body.0 -
Brookside, yes, I was glad to hear your Barretts was stable. Having never heard of it before, I was glad to hear about yours, but not, of course, that you had it, just that it does/can/will get stable. Now, if Prilosec only didn't make me nauseous and that an elephant was sitting on my chest, all would be good. But I'll find something for this, I'm sure. Thanks for the encouragement.
Bunkie, I sure don't blame you for not wanting another doctor, but with your history, I'm thinking this may be a really good one to have on your team. Here's hoping he/she can help...0 -
I tried a few reflux drugs before finding one that I could deal with. Happy with the one I have, but not that it might be part of the reason my bone density scores ain't so hot.
Yes, as I understand it, Barrett's is pretty much ho-hum as long as you pay attention to reflux issues, have regular followups, and take whatever meds. I was surprised and happy that I've graduated to the five-year schedule. I'm not, of course, getting all the info about my reflux that your test will show. Looking forward to learning what kind of stuff it shows, and how they handle it.
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Brookside - I was worried about my vertigo with that bathtub shakin thing they do but after the last two weeks they can stand me on my head. If they will do it and keep me overnight for observation I am game.0 -
I can see it now, Bunkie. While you're upside down, perhaps you could ask them to post a photo?. I hate to ask, but does this kidney stone thing mean you have to ramp up the steroids again? After all that travail?
Kate, I sure hope today was better than yesterday.
Cindy, I get the heebie jeebies just thinking of moving. Very proud of you for struggling through it.
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Bunkie glad you are feeling ok
Brookside thanks so much for the support
My leg is swollen, and it hurts when I walk. Carrying around the extra water weight makes me feel out of breath. It's about the same as before, but not quite as bad. Today I walked 6 blocks, and I felt bad doing so.
Doc didn't say too much through email last night. There isn't a quick solution, so I think he wants to wait and discuss it with me at my next appointment Nov. 15. I am seeing the robotic, urologist, oncologist surgeon Thursday, and I will discuss it with him too.
I am worried that it will get worse, and it is already painful.. I am worried that I will have to do chemo again. My hair is growing back, and I don't want it thinned more, not to mention the total discomfort from chemo. My biggest worry is that the cancer is growing.
I am venting to you guys about my worries, otherwise I am pushing forward. When a worry comes into my head I push it out with a positive thought. Today I went out in spite of the pain etc etc etc. If anyone can kick cancer's butt it's me the unsinkable Molly Brown. I can kick cancer's butt because of my princess warrior coat with all your love and support. I have tears in my eyes thinking about how much all of your support means to me.0 -
Kate, we are SO in your corner! I wish you didn't have to wait so long to see your main doctor, and I wish your leg wasn't misbehaving again. I'm glad that most of the time you can push out the scary thoughts. You really have extraordinary emotional resources.
Also, Sew, THANK YOU for the detailed information about your screwy blood work! That is extremely helpful. I am impatient to learn more about what's going on with my blood--but in the meantime it's very reassuring to know that those numbers can bounce around without meaning that much. I don't really get the relationship between allergy and infection. Can anyone explain that? Also can it be an allergy if it took over two months to develop and stayed confined to my legs for two more months? I see the derm on Wednesday, and he'd better not be in drive-by mode as he sometimes is.0 -
Thanks for the support Runfree. Usually when I am off my feet there isn't pain. Tonight my legs are painful. My right leg is very swollen. I think there is swelling in my left leg too. My abdomen is very distended too. My doctor's np is on vacation, and she is coming back Wednesday. I will call her Wednesday to see if I can get something stronger for pain than extra strength tylenol. I need to get compression stocdkings, but I am a baffon with stuff like that. I don't want to invest $100-$150 for something I won't be able to use. In the meantime I will lay on the sofa with my legs on pillows and watcfh DWTS. It comes on in about an hour.
I so much wish there was a way I could meet some of you ladies. Anyone interested in coming to Santa Monica? How about you Joan I think you love to travel. How about you Runfree and Brookside how about a westcoast vacation?Sew and Sab you are not too far away. Cindy how about you, after your move?0 -
run Free...in my book, anything can happen! My allergic reaction to the Prolia took 6 weeks after the second infusion to show up. I think an allergy can become an infection (like poison oak is an allergy but becomes infected when scratched) and your body treats all things as invasions. That is my studied, non-scientific opinion anyway. I do think it can be an allergy that initially shows just in your legs, and then as you continue to expose yourself to the allergen, your body starts to loose the fight and it spreads to other derma. Again...a lay persons personal opinion. My whole body rash didn't start out covering my full body, it just morphed in to that. And it truly did look different on each limb... I sure hope you get some sort of answer soon...
Kate...a road trip....great idea. We can all meet up...0 -
Kate when I come I will definitely be making a date with you! I'm sorry you continue to go through this. Family is coming north this time, then I'll come south next!
So many of us feeling less than well...I'm sending hugs.
Sew, I am somehow cheered by the picture in my head, of you in a cozy place working on a beautiful quilt.
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Sab, yes, it's quite soothing.....course then I have to snuggle up under it with a good book to test it out...lol0 -
So sorry, Kate,that the swelling is happening again. DWTS with your legs up on pillows sure sounds like exactly the right combination, and I hope it helped a lot. It's disappointing, of course, that your onc didn't have much to say in his email, but maybe your next face-to-face meeting will give you some answers. Do you think he can move your appointment up so you can see him this week?
I wish I could come visit--would love to see you twirl around in your princess warrior coat. Meanwhile, please wrap it firmly around you, twirl around three times and plop down on the couch with your pillows and watch whatever the little people in the TV choose to show you.
RunFree, there is an answer. It just needs the right question.
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Brookside - One of the tests they did on me for vertigo at U of Mi was very much like that. I was in a chair with goggles and in the dark with tiny lights flashing while it turned. Maybe they DO need me on my head. Haha. I keep adding diseases. When this all started back in 03 I just had Sarcoid. That was enough but noooo I had to get chemical sensitivity. That was enough but noooo I had to get vertigo. Just got used to that and lost my GB. But wait then comes depression after mom died and finally the big one BC. Think I would be done but now kidney stones. Haha...I keep evething I get it seems. We have to laugh because you can not control anything that happens. I know if there is a new experimental answer to vertigo I am signing up.
Sometimes I want to just fall out in my PCPs ofc and kick and yell but I am afraid she will call the men in the white coats. I am not game for One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.0 -
On the other hand, Bunkie, think of how lovely it would be--they'd bring you food, take away the dishes, speak softly, tolerate (at least at first) whatever outrageous behavior you felt like exhibiting, and listen, listen, listen, when you vented. Of course, they'd want to "fix" you, and that would be a bummer. A confession--years ago, when I happened to be truly in the dumps, I kind of daydreamed about how nice it would be to be able to just step out of real life and into a padded cell. I envisioned a kind of a House and Garden padded cell, of course, but, while it was good that I found I did not have the ability to excape into even a brief psychosis, the very image of a peaceful place was helpful. MaybeI should bring back a little of that imagery right now!0
