Radiation recovery
Comments
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Wyo, what good info! I never thought of it, but I guess I've never woken up with the hat on, have I? Who'd a thunk it? Kate, maybe you can ask them (I'm going to guess "them" is the recovery room nurse) to leave the stylish baby blue beret alone until you feel up to taking it off yourself and replacing it with your gorgeous wig.
I guess there might be procedures where they'd overrule me, but being quite the little control freak, I never let them premedicate me. I want to be wide awake, glasses on, making sure all the right staff are gathered together in the correct room. You meet a couple of people you'd never know were there, and discover interesting things that way.
Joan, what an annoyance! Personally I'd treat the creepies with the wonder drug known as booze. It is the weekend, after all.
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Brookside, does that mean you make them get you all the way to the OR before you get any anesthesia? I've only been under a general anesthetic once, when I had my lumpectomy, but I was thrilled to avoid that scene of being wheeled down the hallway. They gave me the propofol (not enough to kill Michael Jackson, fortunately) and I felt the bed move ONE INCH, and then I woke up and the clock was in a different place. So great.
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That's right. Some of the staff might look kind of stunned, but they all rise (so far) to the occasion, all introduce themselves and their roles, pointed out the stuff in the room. Once I made them use a local for a procedure where you're normally out. Only the surgeon and the anesthesiologist seemed cool with it, but they're the ones who count. Both the resident and the fellow (and, earlier, the NP) insisted that it wasn't possible to locally anesthetise that area. Now they know.
Frankly, I'm such a control freak that if I could do the surgery myself, I would.
Wyo, am I very unusual?
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Those are some pretty good control freak credentials, Brookside! I've got my areas where I like to be in control, but surgery isn't among them. Go ahead and knock me right out. If I could have every single dentist appointment, even cleanings, under a general, I'd be much happier (and my teeth would be gorgeous).
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Josie, Wyo, Gigil, Sew and Joan thanks for the support.
Wyo and Sew I do not agree at all about wearing the wig in surgery. It is so tight on my head that it positively won't budge during surgery. The cap they have put on me in all of my surgeries have been loose. If I look good I feel good, so I want to look good during surgery.
Josie I am glad you enjoyed lunch with your daughter
Gigil enjoy Florida
Joan I am sorry your hubby is ill
I got BAD NEWS today. I went for my pre-op appointment and my pcp told me the results of my CT scan. There are 2 new lung nodules which means the chemoo effects have stopped working, and the cancer is getting more aggressive. Doc recommends chemo right after my surgery. God I don't want to do it my hair is just now getting thicker, and chemo makes you feel so sick
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(((Kate))) so sorry that you received bad news today. You are a fierce brave warrior...breathe! We will be in your pockets...sending prayers your way.
Do you have plans with your friends tonight or this weekend...donut shop, RT, or a sip of wine with girlfriends:). My my your pockets are full of crossed fingers&toes and cakeballs.
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Kate, I'm so sorry to hear your lung nodules are not getting the message. Would you have the same kind of chemo or something different? As Cindy said, you're a tough fighter and you have a great team. I hope you can do something relaxing this weekend. You know we are all right there with you.
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Kate: Shoot! Sorry to hear that news, but glad your medical team is on top of things and that they have a plan to get it under control. My thoughts are with you. Packing and preparing to leave in the a.m. I will be checking in soon. Love to all of you wonderful ladies.
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Cindy, Runfree, and Gigil thanks for the support
Cindy I am going to shop until I drop tomorrow. Retail therapy makes me feel good. Sunday I am going out to dinner and to see The Wolf of Wall Street with a friend
Runfree I will be doing the exact same chemo. it's called Cis/Gem. It thins your hair it doesn't take all of it.
It sucks to get bad news on a Friday afternoon, because then you have all weekend to stew about it. It seems whenever I get bad news it is on Fri. afternoon.
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Pooey scan, Kate! While chemo has never been #1 on your (or our) hit list, isn't it wonderful that there is a plan already in place to pick you right up and knock that naughty cancer right down, down, down. And soon your bladder tumor will be history.
Of course, you should not be shopping all alone, so, way over here in the northeast, I'll be shopping with you today. And shopping. And shopping.
BTY, I just discovered the "How Vain are You?" thread. It's all girly stuff--shopping, hair, nails, eyebrows, skin, shoes, and hitting just the right tone for those of us in all the different stages of going through what we're going through. I'll be following it now, and highly recommend it to everyone.
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Oh Kate, I'm sorry about your bad news.Shop away sweety...you deserve it.You are such a fighter you know we will be there for you every step of the way.
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(((Kate))) shopping in your honor today girlie warrior!
Hi everyone. Skimmed and scanned and doing my best to keep up. Xo
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Hi SAB, we have a 3 day week end here...you?
Kate, breathe deeply and remember, "one day at a time" is all we can handle. Focus on being as well as possible today. Hugs and prayers...and while you are shopping, get bigger pockets.
Gigi, safe travels!
DH and I did not go to DC. He is not doing great but is on the mend. I'm congested...when I get panicky about breathing, I remember I have a mouth, bottles of water, green tea, and some home-remedies.
I am staying in all day watching tennis on DVR and organizing clothes.
The Femara and statins and 2 other drugs (one is new) are taking a toll on my cognitive abilities and my tolerance for others. Glad to be off from work for a few.Sew, thanks for the Tylenol suggestion...I tried it today and it helps. I am avoiding caffeine.
Brookside, your ideas sounds pretty good too, so maybe some red wine. I need to relax :-DHappy week end...
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Brookside and Sab thanks for going shopping with me. We shopped till we dropped. All of a sudden I am liking this teen store Hollister, and found three cute tops there. Josie, Joan, Brookside, and Sab thanks for the support.
I was upset yesterday when I got the news, but today I am back to being resilient and positive. I see the surgeon Tuesday, and doc Friday. I am going to ask if I can make a trip to Chicago the week of Feb. 17 and then start chemo Feb. 24. I so much need to be with my family, have fun, and soak up love before I start chemo.
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What a great idea to go to Chicago! So glad to hear you are being resilient and positive--or to put it another way, being essential Kate! What fun to get cute tops at Hollister. I have been to that store a few times. And you know the SAG Awards are on today. From what I've heard, Bradley Cooper is really excited that you are going to be his date, and George Clooney is crying his eyes out.
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Ha runfree this might be my big chance with George, while he's on the rebound from kate! I didn't find anything cute out shopping, but I did get a hike and some cooking in. I am so happy to have three days Joan! I just want to rest, eat clean and exercise!
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Kate, I was hoping you'd get to take that trip to Chicago soon. Let's hope...
SAB, it sounds like you won't have much time for rest...how is your book coming along?I love when my students wear Hollister shirts. I get to talk about Hollister, a crunchy little town SE of SanFrancisco where the San Andreas Fault goes through. There's a walking tour to look at sidewalks curbs and fences that are being stretched and moved along the fault. They seem to eat, drink and be merry there. Lots of bars and "seismic ales".
I hope I can get out of bed before Tuesday when classes start again. I definitely have something that is turning into a cough.
Stay well everyone. We are bracing for another polar air mass here.
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Runfree, Sab, and Joan thanks for the support
Runfree I love what you said about George crying his eyes out
Sab you can have George he is too old for me lol. I loved Jennifer Lawrence's dress at the Sag awards tonight. A perfect color for me.
Joan I hope you feel better
Going to see Wolf of Wall Street, and out for a good salmon dinner with my doctor friend Tracy. She is a blessing. When I told her about new lung nodules she said phooey don't worry about it you don't have any lung symptoms. She said you are resilient and strong, and you will get through this I know you will. From her mouth to God's ears.
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I sent Doc an email yesterday after my pcp told me the results of the CT scan. He just answered me and said I know the process is difficult. Hang in there. You are tough. It makes me feel so good that he thinks I am resilient too.
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OMG time to catch up. Last I looked we were all talking about George Cloony...um Mr perfection. Does it get much better than that?
Wanted to say that I finally did go to the endocronoligist this week at MSU medical dept. He had a real good bedside manner and even had some U of Mi background. Turns out he did his fellow and residency there and knows my Sarcoidosis specialist. Finally two heads of the dept that can work together. Now the bad news. He is going to find a way to test my cortisol next month but is 90% sure my adrenals are never coming back. I have just been left on steroids too long no matter how low of a dose. He is going to have to change my steroid drug to one used for Addisons patients or raise my prednsine higher. He told me I have been in a semi functioning state for more than 3 years going by my symptoms. I am devastated. The one thing that kept my spirits up was the possibility I could get off prednsione. After a good cry I picked myself up and started researching how to offset the side affects of the higher dose. Exercise and diet seems to be the ticket. I can work harder on the diet but exercise is so limited to me because of my balance and vertigo issues. Any suggestions? Right now I do 30 steps daily about 10 times so that is 300 down and 300 back up. I am sure I would be in a wheel chair if not for the steps. I thought about tai chi but not sure I could handle it. I am totally mad at my body. Sarcoidosis, BC, fibromyalgia, asthma, chronic vertigo and now Addisons....beam me up Scottie (my fave saying from Star Trek).
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Kate - So so sorry to get that news about more chemo. Darn it all. I am thinking a trip to Chicago is just the thing you need. Family and love. Shop till you drop and then do some more. Are you using the Nioxin yet?
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Hi bunkie,
So sorry to hear about the adrenal prognosis but I think you've finally found a Dr. who can work knowledgeably with your medical issues and the rest of your medical team, so that's great news. As far as additional exercise have you ever tried out an elliptical trainer? It's a cross between a treadmill and a stair step machine. You're upright, which is good for bone density, and you don't run like on a tread mill so it's easy on your knees. They're totally adjustable for difficulty and they have handles you pull and push while "walking", so it's upper body too. It's totally boring, but I look at magazines or listen to a book on tape, or soon will be doing it along with the olympics. Just a thought for you. Sounds like you're doing a great job on your stairs and this might compliment that.
Joan, sorry you've caught a nasty bug. Hopefully some bed rest and down time will pull you right out of it...
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Bunkie, that does sound like a setback! It must be so hard to learn that your adrenals are sort of beyond real help. On the other hand, it's about time you had a doctor who had a sense of the big picture. I agree with Sew about the elliptical trainer. Because of the handles, you wouldn't have to worry so much about balance. I can even use our elliptical with my eyes closed and just listen to audio. Or a stationery bike, maybe the recumbent style with a comfy seat. Not as weight-bearing, but good for balance problems.
SAB and Bunkie, looks like George Clooney is all yours!
Kate, I love what Tracy said and also your doctor. And I'm so glad you have a fun evening planned. With your coloring, I was thinking of this wonderful teal dress for you, Reese Witherspoon's gown from the Golden Globes:
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Bunkie, thanks so much for the support. Brad Cooper is better than George, and I am his date for the Academy Awards. I am in discussions with Armani and Caroline Herrera regarding a teal gown. I am so sorry about your issues. Are you able to walk or lift weights? I lift weights for 30 minutes three times a week and try to walk briskly 20 minutes a day five days a week. I just started using Nioxin this week, but it will be a waste, because I have to do chemo again. Now I am only using a fall, but after this second time of chemo I probably will have to be in a full wig, because I will lose my bangs. I told doc that I was a hottie back in the day, and now he is trying to make me bald. He chuckled
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Runfree I love the gown Reese wore, but as I mentioned above I am in talks with Armani and Caroline Herrera for an original teal gown. You are right Sab and Bunkie can have George. He is not the marrying kind. I want the marrying kind, and Brad Cooper fits my taste to a tee.
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Either of those designers would make you a lovely teal gown! I think some Neil Lane jewelry would set it off nicely. Bradley Cooper is a total keeper.
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Neil Lane jewelry is perfect. You can be one of my bridesmaids for my wedding to Brad at the Beverly Hills hotel. Jennifer Lawrence is going to stand up too.
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Thank you! If I'm in the same room with Jennifer Lawrence, my son will stow away in my suitcase because he has the cutest crush on her.
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RunFree and Sew - It is so strange but HSN has that trainer on TV right now. It has a bike too as part of it. I saved it in my favorites to go back to later and possibly order. This one looks complicated but maybe not. The stairs tire me out but if I am going to have to deal with increased steroids for life I need to get some muscle tone back. I have worked with PT before and had good luck but never considered a home exerciser. Food for thought. Thanks ladies.
Yes it is a blow and I want to just crumble. The day I came back from his office I cried for about 2 hours off and on. Because I was so determined to get off I lost sight of what is really important. Staying positive. Soooo here we go on another adventure in the Disney World of health. It really is a Small World Afterall....I can just hear that song playing over and over. I did laundry today and I can still feel my legs shaking but that was an extra few trips up and down the steps. I need some muscle.
Kate - Bradley Cooper is a looker too. Ok you can have him. I am really a Brad Pitt fan. Always have been since Thelma and Louise.We used to make bets out in LA that George was going to pull a WarrenBeatty and after he stops chasing and gets old he will settle down with someone like an Annette Bening. Speaking of gowns I loved that bright pink number on Maria Menounos. Paula Patton who I normally love to watch looked like a ruffled mess. Maybe she and her hubby got his MTV striped Beetlejuice suit and her dress at the same place.
Reese looked great in that dress. 0 -
All righty! It looks like George is all mine, and I sure won't kick him out of bed for eating crackers.
Bunkie, The elliptical is a great idea, as is the recumbent bike…both have handles for balance. I might also suggest some gentle rowing as another "sitting down" activity. I'm sorry about the adrenals, but happy you seem to have finally found a good medical professional to work with.
Joan, thank you for asking about the book. It is back from my editor with some excellent feedback. I'm working away on it, and have joined a monthly group of women (9 of us) who are in the final stages of writing. We will be responsible for meeting certain deadlines and outputs and giving each other feedback, and our discussions will be guided by an instructor who is an accomplished writer herself. I need to be kept on track. I hope, hope, hope to have it to a publisher by the end of the year at the very latest. If I finish the book early I will work with the group on my next project, which is already swirling around in my head! It must feel amazing to see it in print Joan, and I congratulate you on getting to the other side!
Kate, if you decide to go with a wig you will rock it big time! My boss has a half dozen, just for fun, and she looks fantastic. I hope you'll at least have a little fun that way! Tracy sounds wonderful, what a great friend.
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