mets to lung
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First, I am glad to be back from the backwoods of Florida where I had no internet! It was good to sign on and to be greeted with good news. Congrats, Susan and Brenda! I saw my oncologist today and convinced him to let me wait until nov. 5 to restart my chemo so I can enjoy my early November birthday. My chemo break came at a good time. I was able to meet my brother and sister in Florida and help get my mom moved into an independent living apartment in a continual care retirement community. I'm exhausted but was so glad I could help. I've missed everyone here. 912, I've only had to have one thoracentesis and it was 6 years ago. I still have pleural effusion but the treatments I've had over the years has kept it under control. I know there are some who have needed more. In the cancer world we are all so different in how we respond to treatments and therapies. I agree with Brenda ... No need to wait until the SOB becomes unbearable. Halloween was a memorable day for me in 1987. That's when I received my first BC diagnosis. I remember taking my little ones trick or treating with tears running down my face. Glad it was dark and they couldn't see mommy was upset! Welcome to the lung mets thread.
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I got my CT scan results back yesterday. I was relieved to see my lung and liver mets were smaller. In fact now they are tiny, except for one liver mets, which is stable. No new tumors! I'm hoping now that the lung tumors are smaller and or not growing that I will not have new tumors in the brain. I have an brain MRI in 3 weeks. I will be completely relieved for a cancer free brain. I heard that once it goes to your lung, you are most likely to have brain mets.0 -
Hindsfeet, congratulations on your good news. Sounds like you are on the right treatment. Here's to continued good results!
On another note, my onc has changed my chemo (carboplatin) from every 3 weeks to every 4 weeks. When I asked him why he said there were new studies indicating the treatments were just as effective every 4 weeks. I am not complaining. That's one extra week a month I get to feel good and a little more time for my counts to bounce back. I guess I would know soon enough If it was working. Just wondering if anyone else had heard that.
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Gatorgal, Yes, I've heard of MO's changing schedules to give you better QOL without compromising the effectiveness of your chemo. I've only had 3 weeks on 1 week off only for carbo/gemzar. Welcome back to the world of lung mets!
Hindsfeet: Good going!
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Brenda, it's good to be back amongst you great ladies!
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Wonderful news, Hindsfeet! It sounds like you're responding great to your chemo.
Good to see you again, Glenna. I started out on the Carbo/Gemzar combo 3/13, with a regimen of 3 weeks on, and one week off. Due to my platelets taking a hit, they backed it off to 2 and 2, then 1 and 2, now I'm at once every 3 weeks. I get a Neupogen shot twice the week prior to chemo to keep my platelets up. And yes - so far so good. It's been a kind chemo for me and I've stayed stable even with backing it off to every 3 weeks. I seemed to have an allergic reaction to it in July during infusion, and so now when i get it every 3 weeks, it's done over about 10 hours - a desensitizing procedure, which is allowing me to stay on it. To me, it's worth it, because it's been my favorite chemo (one of the oncology nurses thinks it's funny that I call it my favorite chemo - apparently, she's not been on the receiving end of the red devil chemo! So my point is.... I hadn't heard that they could back it off to every 4 weeks as your MO did for you - but it's good to hear that it can be done and still keep you stable. You needed that nice little chemo break! You've had a lot on your plate! Hope Mom's adjusting well. It sounds like a stressful but a good trip! Welcome back!
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Good Saturday morning to all,
I have two pumpkin pies in the oven and off at noon to see my grandson's last football game (unless they win to ensure a spot in the playoffs). He is 10 and this year is quarterback. He's come a long way since game 1. We will be celebrating my oldest son's Oct. 27 birthday with his favorite mom's ham and potato casserole and he always wants pumpkin pie instead of cake. My preference as well! Should be a good day as well as our 6 year old granddaughter can behave! LOL!
Surfdreams, I do get the neulasta shot the day after my chemo but with going to every 4 weeks maybe i won't have a to. I didn't think to ask. It sure is an expensive shot with a huge co pay. Right now the social worker has gotten help for me from the drug maker but I don't know how long that will last. I had Gemzar once and really liked it. It did a job on my counts as well. Can't remember right now why I had to stop that one. It all becomes a blur over time.
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My oldest son birthday is the 28th, we dont celebrate with him anymore, just his immediate family, which doesn't include me, that is the dil's call. They dont invite us to dinner or bd parties 4 grandchildren either. I so miss celebrating my sons bd, he will b 40. I dont see him or talk to him much.
ME
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Blondie, I am so sad for you that you are shut out of the celebration of your son's birthday. DIL's and SIL's can have such a huge impact on how much or how little interaction we have with our own children. I am sure he knows how much you celebrate his special day in your heart. Hugs, glenna
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Thanks 4 that i appreciate it, don't know what he knows. All i know is if it weren't 4 me he wouldn't b here
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Blondie,
Would it be possible to tell him how you feel? Perhaps he has no idea. I think it's important in general, but critical for those of us with serious medical conditions, to be open with our loved ones so there are no regrets. It's just not right that you wouldn't be invited.
Hugs, Susan
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Well, i have numerous times n he said he is tired of hearing it, ok well he is in denial that i am terminal, n now cause i stopped chemo, i am not sick anymore, cept 4 the oxygen, thanks
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Great news, Brenda & Susan! Hoe your car is sorted now, Brenda. Shitty days happen, I just find it harder to deal with any crisis.
Well, I've come to the end of this horrible chemo, by my own choice. Have done 5 out of 6 cycles & my body is yellng STOP! Spoke to my onc, sisters & they agree with me. Onc says he 'doesn't think we'll get much more from this chemo', ie stable max. I'm so beat, I need to build up my body - lost 4.5 kgs on this chemo!
Like you say, Blondie, nothing is carved in stone, I can decide to go back for more, but not now, I want my summer, being able to go to the beach, swim, have friends over, do stuff. This is not qol!
Last chemo was Fri & am stil flattened...
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Hello
CarolbenI
was sorry to read on one of the threads that you are having such an
exhausting time with chemotherapy. It is awful what chemotherapy does
to the body. You are right to have a rest and to try to build
yourself up and enjoy your summer in South Africa. I am sure the
sunshine will lift your spirits.Here
in Exmouth it is a dull day but exceptionally mild for this time of
year. However it is dark by 6pm so we are into the long winter hours.
I need to find a good book to read, something that will make me laugh
preferably.Good
wishes from everyone on the thread.Sylvia
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Carolben what happens when you stop this tx? Will you start another chemo? Or just do nothing?
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If u r comfortable with the decision that is all it takes, congrats n good luck, here if u want 2 talk
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Good wishes your way, CarolBen. We're starting our winter on this end of the earth, and you're starting your summer. Maybe I'll just come to visit you for the next 6 months or so. Your plans look lots better than mine! How long is your chemo break, and what's the next arrow in your quiver?
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Carolben, you are merely listening to what your body wants. I just turned 60 and I think my body wants more sleep, rest and recreation and less toxic side effects. I could not even sit up for 2 seconds last Saturday! There will be some kind of light at the end somewhere, depending on how I respond to the injections, but nobody really knows what our bodies will do and how they will react to a break! You did say you were going to get a scan. Is that something you still wanted to do?
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I agree the bodies are with us and things that yohereout of your body how true that is I have no idea
never should have to deal with putting poison in our bodies to try to kill the other poison and keep us alive it's ridiculous it's like a test how strong are you I'm sick of being strong do you want me to be honest.
it just messes with everything I had a conversation with my son and I said something about chemo brain or me not understanding something or forgetting something really quick and he said it doesn't affect your brain is that what do you mean I get chemo don't you think it goes on all parts of your body everywhere he said no it don't go up there really.
and I did hear that it took 10 years to get chemo out of u r body
enough of the rambling from steroids it is 2:33
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amazing he knows that and has never had chemo!
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I remember reading that they now recognize that chemo does get to the brain. A friend of mine went on disability due to chemo brain. She was a nurse and needed her memory.
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definitely chemo brain is recognized as a medical condition, as far as I know.
wbc, neutraphills, platelets & haemoglobin all went way down, so spent the night in solitary in the hospital, getting a transfusion & Neopugen, cautionary course of antibiotics etc. hell, I just crawled into that bed & slept! Didn't even have the strength to have my normal tantrum about having to go to hospital!
You ask about further treatment, I'm open to that, but not right now. We'll do a scan in Dec, but my onc wants me to just recover & get my body a bit stronger. Im just going to take it as it comes, we'll see what the scan says. So Im not saying no more chemo forever,
Got down to the beach yesterday for a bit, but it's been windy & overcast so didn't stay long. So nice just to get out a bit.
Then I had tummy cramps till I got the runs again, & another migraine - so I'm firmly on my sofa again! I did manage a shower so that's one thing! It's taking time, but am gradually feeling a bit less yuck each day.
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Dear Warrior Carolben, You have really fought the good fight through the effects of it all...chemo and then some. BUT at this week's end you may find that you are winning. Sending big hugs from Amish country in western Pennsylvania. Peg
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Carolben, I'm happy to hear you were able to enjoy the beach. As your blood counts recover you will feel much better! I am saying this to myself as well.
Ladies, tomorrow I get to go in the MRI machine so they can look at my brain! I would appreciate some good thoughts and prayers. Thanks in advance.
Brenda
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It's amazing how many of us will fit in that MRI machine with you, Brenda! We'll be there, sending positive thoughts and wishes your way!
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good luck Brenda. Prayers and hugs
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Sending good thoughts your way, Brenda.
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I'm with you in thought, Brenda, and praying for best results. Nan
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Carolben, hope you gain new strength each day, and begin to feel better soon. I'm with you concerning tummy troubles and fatigue. I will be thinking of you as I lay down for a much needed nap. Nan
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