The Hermit Club
Comments
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What did you mean by using plastic utensils when doing chemo? I'm learning so many new things (icing finger and toenails, I need to take my gel nails off) - Any other tips from past experience? I'm also on the January chemo group, but we're all so new and don't know what we are in for - Ugh!
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Teka--hope you're ok. Camille--your typing is fine. You get across what you want to say and that's all that matters. FL--I love ladybugs, too. Lived in Germany years ago, and they really push the good luck connection. Kind of like four-leaf clovers here. and Lauren--once chemo gets going, let everyone be good to you. If someone offers, "can I do anything?" think NOW of a list of how friends can help. Have your list ready. It could be anything from walk the dog to drop off the mail... pick up a gallon of milk to a quick dusting of your house. Let people help you so you can focus on feeling better. Hugs to all.
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Thanks Skittle - great tips. I'll work on that list. I really hope I can continue working . . .
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Hi all, happy New Year! I need to go back and catch up. Welcome new posters!
FL, our friendship won't change, but she is moving 2.5 hours away. Plus she won't be at family things and awkward if I did invite her with the in laws family. We will remain close, just more of an effort.
Hope all are well! My resolution is to get organized and eat better. Hugs!0 -
Hi Markat--I' glad u'r going to keep a close relationship no matter what.
I'm not making any resolutions, well maybe one I might start drinking.
Lauren Teka explained the plastic utensils I'm sorry I didn't. I had 4 months of chemo before my operation and worked--I'd have it on a Monday (we were closed) and had a 12 hr. day on Tues. and worked that and Wed. By Thurs. not so good so I'd use m sick time for Friday too, we had 1/2 day on Sat. and I'd try to make that and just lay on the desk in my bosses office. And I got the anti nausea with my mix in an IV and that worked OK for me and after my operation and more chemo I used all my sick time then I went on disability. I had a lot of energy those first 2 days I worked cuz of the steroids in the IV so I felt good---but everyone is so different we're mostly on the same chemo drugs some are on more some are on less--it just depends on what's going on with u. Oh and I did have a port which for me was wonderful cuz my veins jump around and I still have my port--it's still used alot cuz neither one of my arms can be used for anything. But the port is optional I think, but it was so easy for the nurses to use and for me too. if that helps any.
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Thanks for all the good tips. I'm off to my PET scan in about an hour. I haven't eaten anything since I got up, and I WANT MY COFFEE!!! I'm so nervous for this test and pray this obnoxious disease has not spread. Of course I feel like it has - every little ache and pain make me think the worst. I have a feeling I'm going to get TAC every three weeks for 6 weeks, then wait a month and get the surgery. Chemo better work!!!! I'm trying not to read about triple negative - the more I do, the more I start panicking. Doctors don't seem worried, but I guess it's all in a day's work for them.
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Got the PET scan, but of course no results. I tried to look at the cd they copied for me, but I don't really know what I'm looking at and was scared at every bright light, so I stopped looking. I have my MRI on Friday then the MO appt after that to discuss all the results and how to go forward. I can't wait to get this tumor out. It's starting to hurt. How was everyone's day?
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Hi hermits!
Lauren, where is Weston? West coast side I am assuming. Me to, Im in the Tampa Bay area. Best wishes on Friday!
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Lauren just think n a few short days u'rll knowthe results and plan of action hich most will relate to and explan whatever u need to know. Everyone will help ease u'r mnd and help u along the way. Really so as soon as u know u'll know so much from here u'll be a sem Dr. And we're not scary--we'll help.
Another day n--I have my first Jan. Dr. app't ment Friday, hen the next 2 weeks 2 more Drs. and hopefully done for a while anyway.So have to unhermit myself a little and acrually talk to people.
Goodnite Teka-- think me too--Lauren u'll be all right.
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Whew! Hi ladies! Welcome Lauren!!
I'm so glad the holidays are over. I'm thoroughly exhausted, and now I have a cold/sinus infection that hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday. Energy is totally gone. Haven't called the doc yet, but it hurts when I take a deep breath where my tumor in my lung is. It's not awful pain - but it freaks me out psychologically. All I want to do is crawl in bed and sleep, but I've already had 2 conference calls this morning. I am already fantisizing about applying for SS just so I can stop working somehow. I hate calling the doc, I always feel like when I ask for antibiotics, that I might as well be asking for heroin or something. Good lord. Just give me the antibiotic already! Sheesh!
We wound up having 2 couples over for New Year's, and though I thought it wouldn't be too much, sure enough, I wished I hadn't done it afterwards. I need to slow the hell down and rest. People are starting to tell me I look tired. I know, people. I know.
Markat - so sorry about the news of the divorce. That's hard...hopefully she will find a way to stay close to you.
Lauren - I am so sorry for the loss of your son. You have already been through so much. I hope that your PET scan comes out fine. Waiting is the hardest part.
Jazzy - very interesting on your new treatment. Hope it goes smoothly!
Waving at everyone else.
Happy New Year - let's hope that 2013 is kind to us.
LL
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LL I saw u wavng--wavin back--Good luck wth this sinus thing 've been on antbiotcs and still sck like crazy--It's not a normal thing this year--it just zaps u bad and I know that feelin of xalling the Dr.-- wonder why--we see Drs. all the tme and yet to make that phone call s like OMG. LOL.My eyes get so tred I haven't been on here to much the last few days--I'm tryng to catch up.
Oh the Dr.s offce just called I have to see a new Dr. tomorrow ugh--Another new Dr., more fun in store--Oh well.
I hope u feel better soon LL.
So I have to unhermit myself tomorrow and t's cold out. hahaha
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That stinks that you are still sick, Cami. I hope you feel better soon.
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Camille and LL, hope you feel better soon. LL, I'm sorry that people are telling you that you look tired. I hate that. It's either the "oh you look so great" (total lie) or the "you look tired". Why do people have to comment on looks at all? I try to remind myself that, or complement people on their clothes, lol.
Welcome Lauren. Hope you are doing okay. I need to go back and catch up on your posts. My attention span has been terrible lately!
I start my job on Monday! Woohoo. I'm nervous.0 -
Markat this Monday YaHoo is rght--Oh u'll be fine, Do u have u'r clothes ready and sruff like that? t's different going out everyday--I bet u'll like it once u get used to it. It's always nervewracking to start a job anyway so just act like u'r really cool about it hahaha
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Hi everyone -
PET Scan and Breast MRI are good; now he decides he wants an Echo doppler test and more labs. Why didn't he just schedule them at the same time I had my MRI this morning, or schedule the blood test when they stuck me yesterday too. Also, why did I have to ask him about my teeth being cleaned, and he said that is a good idea. I called my dentist in the office (a friend of mine), and he said to ask the Dr. if dentist clearing is needed. Doctor said no - Dentist said "find a new oncologist" - OY!!! The MO has such a good reputation, but I'm not feeling the organization and info flowing. So far I'm going to sit at Quest tomorrow without an appointment and ruin my Saturday for the labs I could have already gotten, Monday is a brain scan, Tuesday is teeth cleaning; wednesday is port placement, and Thursday is first chemo. Somehow in between those I have to find a place to get an echo cardiogram test (MUST), and take off my nails (and get mani/pedi), pick up my prescriptions, and somehow fit work in too - Oh, I forgot to find a wig too. I'm tired just thinking about it. I'm up for any good tips. Hope everyone had a great day. I feel like a hamster in a cage; need a glass of wine now (while I still enjoy the tast)
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Oh, and Weston is basically West Ft. Lauderdale - I'm right near alligator alley for those that know Florida.
I'm dreading wearing a wig in this heat! I went looking today. Liked one, didn't love any. Synthetic vs. real hair . . . Hmmmm. . . any recommendations?
For all those hermits like me out there. I'm actually looking forward to having an excuse to stay home and vegetate and not go out. I haven't admitted that to anyone but this group :-)
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Thanks! I feel better already - I need to stay away from negative energy :-)
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Lauren Teka's right--BREATH---As far as the dentst goes-(now remember ths is when u'r on chemo-not before)-some dentists don't like to work on chemo patients and the ones that will give u antibiotic before and after because of infections. I had a dentist that actually called my oncologist to tell her what he was going to do and what he was oing to give me and she told hime to give me a stronger antibiotic, then he worked on me. U'r tests sometimes get all scrambled up what makes perfect sense to us doesn't always go that way cuz they themselves take thing one at a tme if they feel t's needed--the blood test sounds like it should have been full paneled but maybe it wasn't (for some reasons)
Don't panic over the wig yet u usually don't loose u'r har immediately t takes maybe two chemos (normally) but I would go synthetic-they make really nce ones now, but don't forget scarves and hats are used alot too, and u can develop u'r own style with fun ones.
And somehow all this works out and u feel overwelmed with all these tests but it's done pretty fast. It's kind of nce to get it all done.
Now what don't understand s what exactly type, stage or whatever cancer do u have--I'm confused on that one.???
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Lauren, you don't need clearance for the dentist until you start chemo. My MO was always really casual about that stuff too. At least more casual than some I've read about on this board. This is the crazy time. Things will slow down and become more routine. Do you work, or have a large head? I ask because if not, you can probably get by with a free wig from the American Cancer Society. I had to have a special wig made for my watermelon head. Biggest waste of money ever. I really liked scarves and hats.
Camille, I have my clothes in order and I'm all ready! How are you feeling?0 -
Markat u have a big head? I do too--I always had to get a large wig thing and the cancer society had all 3 sizes mor than other places, but like u I really wore more hats and scarves than anything--they were mor comfortable for me and when I did work at first I just matched my hat or scarf with what I was wearing and of course huge sparkly earrings, then after I didn't work I wore more scarves--it was just comfortable for me too. 2 more days and u start--this is exciting--when u get home get on tis computer and tell us exactly how the first day really went and how u felt.
I saw 2 Drs. yesterday and they ordered some tests, but This infection has to clear up and I had a fever yesterday so I'll see Monday how I feel.
The D Dr. wants to do down the throat and up the a$$ but he'll do it all in one day and he want a few biopsies from different areas- he was so excited cuz he said he never had a case like this???So he loves challenges and he going for it. All I said was the treasure of youth to him.I told him not to use the word biopsy to me cuz everytime they used that word from my hysterectomy to my BC it was always cancer--so I told him to use the words like cells--maybe it'll be better luck LOL
And the day after I et a heart scan, or ultra sound or something--I could care less as long as I don't have to walk a treadmill- cuz it seems like someone is there with a whip saying u can do one more minute and my legs can not do it. So since I'm still with an infection they're giving me 2 weeks---the D Dr. wanted me Monday--he acted like a kid in a candy store WTF am I in for. LOL
So that's been my time and if I told u this already, I'm sorry. hahaha
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Teka---what is a D and U--I can't fiure it out.
I like what that woman said--ood for her.
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Lauren,
I had a syntheic wig when I had chemo the first time around 12 yrs. ago. I had looked high and low, and I will warn you that wigs can be so unnecessarily expensive. I'll never forget the day I was in this "boutique" place and had a $600 wig in my hand, and was expressing concern over the price. The women working there said, "Isn't it important to you to look GOOD???" I walked right out of that place.
Finally, I got a wig from the American Cancer Society's TLC catalogue. It cost me a whole $32 and looked exactly the same as the higher priced wigs I had seen. Their website is www.tlcdirect.org. They also have lots of cute hats, scarves and post surgical cami's, etc.
I don't think it's a bad idea to look around before you actually need it, if you know your chemo is definitely going to make your hair fall out...
Hugs -
LL0 -
Oh, and opposite some others, I found out I was quite the pinhead/egghead small head after my hair was gone! LOL! Sinead O'Connor, I ain't!
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Hi all! Didn't do much today except try to work and catch up since I'm missing so much office time. I'm working on making my first chemo list. So many things to make sure I have packed. Camillegal, I have IDC, State IIa (so far) Grade 3, and the tumor is about 3 centimeters. Oh, and I'm triple negative. I think it says on the bottom of my posts. I'm on the January chemo board as well, and everyone is having so many different reactions even with the same cocktail. I don't want to get naseous, but hey, I wouldn't mind losing my appetite and some weight. I found a really cute synthetic wig that I really liked. I think I'll use it when I go out "formally" and t work, but with friends and local every day things , I'll wear a scarf. I'm working on getting a prescription of ativan. I heard you get a steroid high and can't sleep. that's the last thing I need. I love my sleep, and it's a time I don't think about this beast of a disease. Gotta love those meds! Have a great evening everyone : - )
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Teka ---LOLLOLLOL---I like the way u put things--haha I'll have mine first.
Lauren I used xanax from day 1--for sleeping and it still helps me most of the time.So anything that helps use it--and don't forget the steroids usually only las a couple of days anyway, then u feel tired usually--I keep saying usually cuz everyone is different, completely different so just tell the Dr. how u feel and they're more than willin to give out meds to help u. And u have us too. hahaha
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Teka hahahahahahsha
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Teka u have a strange sense of humor and I love it. LOL
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Oh Camille, they're putting you through it all
I'll keep you in my nightly prayers (if that's okay). I hope the excited D doc figures out what's going on.
Lauren glad you found a wig you like. Ask for any med you want. Seriously. Not the time to tough it out.
Teka that sounds fun- the wine and cheese not the D and U
My new addiction is Downton Abbey, and fat free feta cheese I hope all are well. 0 -
Markat I'd better check that show I heard it was great????
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So funny about Downton Abbey -- I have been trying to figure out how to watch that from the beginning. Do you know if there is a way to get it "on demand" or how I can watch it? I love series. I'm obsessed with Newsroom, Homeland, True Blood, Game of thrones, Revenge and Once Upon a Time (and I don't even really like watching TV) -- Oh I forgot General Hospital :-)
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