Starting chemo July 2014
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Started the Bentyl for abdominal cramps, we'll see if that helps. It really feels like flu this time. DH came home to work from home this afternoon but he is in meetings so not all that much help and cousin is AWOL. Said she'd be home two hours ago. So shaky. Sitting here in recliner with soothing music, playing solitaire and reading FaceBook and BCO. DH made me a cup of peppermint tea. This too shall pass, as my mom used to say.
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Mags - hope you feel better soon. It will pass and you'll be stronger after this is all over.
Coyote- the bracelets are beautiful! I'll PM you. That is so thoughtful of you. I need a project! But with two kids and a dog and a part time job, maybe not!
Mumford - was that a regular test on your CBC? Or something else they specifically tested for with the liver? My bill for my 24 hour bilateral mastectomy was $36,000 and insurance allowed them to charge $25,000. Fortunately I've already met my deductible so I don't have to pay any of that. That is JUST the hospital bill. Crazy!
I had my second treatment yesterday and my WBCs are low again. Got the Neulasta today and hoping that wakes me up.
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I'm back from being pooped the past few days. Missed quite a bit!
Joeys, you have amazing friends! I have a runny nose too, never had allergies. Have no clue why runny.
Wallegator, love what you said about your daughter holding your hand. My son was "linting" me of my hair and that got me all emotional.
The family drama, I can totally relate. i don't have the closest relationship with my sister and BC had really brought that to light along with many friends who just have their own lives. Just a little email seeing how I an doing would be nice. Not too much to ask for. I don't know, maybe you have to go through something like this to be empathetic.
Coyote, love the new project! I will have to PM you.
Chaos, sorry to hear about the rads.
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I have to write hear in parts.
Blownaway, that's funny about your brother. I can't believe he said your mom had passed away.
Mags, hope you feel better.
I am on day 7 and yesterday I felt like a shrivelled grape. My entire body feels tight and dry so i started drinking lots of water with lemon juice in it. Today I feel better. I have to slather cream on my arms after a shower. And I have super oily skin normally. That is the only positive thing out of this ordeal....my face is not oily anymore!
My taste buds are going. I had an Oreo cookie and it sucked. An Oreo cookie!!! You know something is wrong when Oreo doesn't taste good.
I also felt like someone was pulling at me from the inside, right between my breasts. Not sure if this chest tightness, although my nurse mentionned that maybe reflux could have been causing this. Anybody feel this??
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Home from my third infusion. It was a very long day as usual. Whoever schedules these appointments needs to have to go through the motions of attending 4 appointments, each ours apart. Anywhoooo, I DID GREAT! Napped through most of it (when I wasn't reading or knitting - in my case, better known as knotting). Sitting in front of the boob tube till time to take an ambien and a colace (they told me to get right on top of the C problem as soon as I get home). I wish all the others who had their chemo today all the best with minimal side effects.
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Just checking in to see how you are all doing. Chemo went ok this time they allowed me to take Advil so my headaches aren't as bad. Just the nausea and fatigue when the Dex wears off. I got my hair cut really short as its starting to fall out. I chickened out for the buzz but maybe by next week I'll have to. Labs were still good so that's a blessing. Have a good night all!
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Just a quick note to let all of you who have chosen bracelets and sent me addresses that they will be packaged and sent out tomorrow and Saturday. I have time to finish more before #3 chemo next Thursday.
G'nite all.
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Mags, so sorry this one is rough. Stay strong and know it will eventually settle. I hope today is better for you.
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I have been away from the boards for a bit.... so much has happened. Please know my thoughts are with all of you daily!
It is 3:30am and still can't sleep, chemo #3 tomorrow. Today out of know where started to have achy joints in hips,knees and ankles
very hard to sleep had a Epson salt bath at 2am and some advil..... I am sure the darn steroids are not helping.I finally had a port put in last Friday went really well feel pretty good in that department however staples are kind of Frankenstein looking.
On the watery eye issue wow really suck I actually have had to avoid driving as my vision gets very blurry, last chemo my eyes chapped from watering. And both my eyes twitch all the time.... funniest SE is I am getting bad. muscle cramps but now in the tounge the left side of my tounge cramps and goes all contorted...:p
On a positive note I had a PET scan done all three areas in collar bone no longer light up on PET, the one area in armpit is there still but almost gone, pretty happy as I have only had 2 treatments!
Hope every has a SE free Friday
((((Hugs)))))
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too young, awesome news!!!
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Sorry I've been away for a couple days. My mom came over and slept over and we had a great time. I started off feeling much better than after the first infusion but yesterday, I crashed and burned. A couple days ago, I had the nuclear D again and it was horrible.The acid reflux is the worst se I'm having. I have tried so may rx's so now I'm gonna try OTC prilosec to see that one helps. I can hardly eat and I have to force myself to drink fluids so I don't get dehydrated like last time. I'm not drinking as much water, drinking more gatorade since it tastes better. I usually put lemon and cucumbers in it but I'm go buy one the those water bottles with the plastic fruit infuser built in then put berries in it.
I also got the dreaded folliculitus. I finally got a mirror out and looked at the back of my head and it looked like I have mange! So gross! It's all red and bumpy and dry and the bald spots are hideous! It's itchy, I feel like I have poison ivy! I got the gel and an antibiotic but I don't want to take the pills because I feel like my tummy and intestines are already a mess.
Despite all this, I still feel like #2 was a little easier than #1. Today I'm going in for a massage and I hope I don't get nuclear gas, lol.
I've been crocheted like crazy and have made 2 afghans for Christmas presents already. I've also decided to make tons of chemo caps and I'm gonna take them into my cancer center and let people take them for free. Normally I donate the to Knots of Love but it's nice to be able to donate them locally.
Well, I've rambled enough and even though I might not respond to everything here, I'm praying for each one of you. Have a great day!
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Too Young - I take Ambien the night before and the night of chemo. I'm older and maybe somewhat more self indulgent. IT MAY SOUND COUNTERPRODUCTIVE, BUT HAVE YOU TRIED PUTTING MOISTURE DROPS IN YOUR EYES? As soon as you wake up and all day long. Your eyes can water from the irritation of being dried out and it can become a viciuos circle. Sorry about the all caps - it got stuck on.
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Too Young: fantastic news! We should all be confident and rejoicing in the death of those rapidly-dividing cells that have brought us here.
Walle, my doc does a CBC, liver function, and renal function. There are 6 specific tests in the liver panel and 2 are off. AST is 75 and should be between 5 and 34; ALT is 132 and s/b between 7 and 40. This is the one he was really worried about. So I'm drinking lots of water (not sure if this even helps..), avoiding tylenol and alcohol, and hoping it will return to as close to normal as possible. I'm assured that any 'damage' will repair itself over time when this is all done.
A caution to those not following blood tests carefully -- after round 1, I asked the doc about my blood. He said it was all fine, but when I checked, the ALT was 71 (still above normal). I'm sure it was not too high to go into round 2, but still...I would've appreciated knowing that the doc was aware it was up (I'm sure he did). I am able to check lab results online and this time around, I checked before I saw the doc so I could ask specifically. His decision to delay chemo by a week...
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Pinkinjay - My doctor has me on omeprazole nightly (which may be the generic for Prilosec - not sure). During rhe day, I chew 2 Gaviscons and take Pepcid A/C for any flare ups. This regimen is controlling my hearburn which was quite severe. Hope this helps.
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too young: hope my next PET scan is as good as yours!
pink ninja: I've managed my heartburn/acid reflux with good old fashioned Tums! I guess I could get a prescription for something stronger, but my night table is starting to look like a drugstore.
Hope everyone experiencing SEs has a better day!
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Mags: so sorry your cousin went AWOL and you had to be by yourself when you felt so tough, hope today is going better for you
WalleGator: hope the shot perks up those WBC's, did you take the Claritin?
dancingdiva: oh no, not the Oreos too, know just what you mean, I had hoped to enjoy a Snickers bar yesterday and was terribly disappointed with how it tasted
maidentired: good to hear your headaches aren't as bad, and celebrating your good labs with you
too-young: wonderful news on the PET scan, great to have some actual evidence of progress, like standing there with your sword raised looking over a battlefield of dead cancer cells strewn about
pinkninja: great idea to get some Christmas gifts done, hope the gel helps your folliculitis, how was the massage?
I've turned the corner after the second chemo and we drove to Burnsville
yesterday, I was able to help with my half of the driving but split it
up into shorter segments. Lew drove last night and we took Dad to Hudson, Wisconsin for the dinner boat
cruise on the St Croix River, sponsored by Dad's investment company.
Yesterday was also Dad's 88th birthday, and I was glad it worked out
that we could come. Weather was perfect, and even though the food didn't
taste normal to me, it at least had some flavor. I still have the white
thrush patches on my lips but the soreness is better, just has my taste
buds all messed up.
Hanging out with Dad today in the apartment while Lew is running around
town shopping the computer stores. Plan to head back to Fargo after
lunch tomorrow.0 -
Ladies, I recently finished this hat. Is is too loud? No one has requested this style I just liked the photo and decided to give it a try. If someone wants it, let me know. Shirley
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This one is for fallenmirage. Your hat is one the way!
Shirley
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This one is also all cotton like the others and is a burgundy wine color. Any takers?
Shirley
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Slappysqiuirrel-You already sent me a hat but I think its beautiful Love the aqua and pink colors together! I'm going to be a hat person even after I grow hair back, I never saw the possibilities before.
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Slappy, the hats are amazing! I went to GNC and bought papaya enzymes and aloe vera juice so I'm hoping that helps with the acid. I have been eating the brat diet too.
My head is crazy itchy though, mu hubby bought me cortisone anti itch spray and I used it but it still itches. I decided that I need the antibiotics and hope they kick in soon. I take a probiotic too but I'm gonna eat a whole lot more yogurt too.
The massage was good but tough because I've known my massage therapist for a while now and he was sad
Hope everyone is managing se's well and have a wonderful evening!
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Here's a photo of me on the river cruise last night, with my strip of hair on a band.
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hi ladies,
Well I am dripping my premeds now - so happy! How messed up is that???
:-)
I had horrible acid reflux last time - MO prescribed Nexium. Worked great. They did tell me to keep taking it - every day thru chemo - as effects are cumulative.
Btw, I skipped the port (only 4 TC, no herceptin or anything), but am coming to question that. Took 3 blown veins before we found one that worked today...
Ah well, hopefully by the time I go to bed tonight I am halfway done...
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Yes Too Young - that is the best news of the day!
ElaineT: Check with your MO about the Tums - Mine took me off Tums and Pepto-Bismo last time because they can alter the calcium readings, which are tracked during cancer treatment. At that time, a Pepcid AC every am and pm was recommended. I automatically started using that regime this time and have had no heartburn issues (unless I miss a dose).
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Ah RainDew! Finally!
Puffin – looking good! I could not have done it, glad you had fun.
Shirley, love the pink & aqua together.
Everyone, hope you have a good SE-free night. I'm still underwater.
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thank you everyone
I had a surgeon appointment today and they all treated me like a miracle was a good feeling!Surgeon is iffy if we are going to operate on axillary lymph node as it is affixed and says it is a complicated surgery as my lat Dorsi flap is in the area as well... Going for a MRI to get further detail.
Here is the question of the day, PET scan did pick up 4 lymph nodes in good side wich they say range in size and intensity, however have a fatty hila. to it. They say it is nothing to worry about..... Easier said the done as it took 4 months to have my last lymph nodes taken seriously. Has any one else had this???? Kind of worried.
3rd treatment went very well but with three hours sleep ready for bed.
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I've been keeping really busy, but I wanted to pop in and share fun wig pics. My hair is patchy enough that even when buzzed short it looks pretty icky now, so despite the heat I've decided to cover up. The blonde one I got from the American Cancer Society, and the dark one I bought today at the wig store.
If anyone's in San Diego or will be in the area, the wig store in Mission Valley is really great. They have wigs from $40-$700, and it's a pretty classy place, and still treated me like I was important and special even though it was clear I was only looking at the cheapest ones, which I really appreciated. Anyway, here's my latest. I'll catch up with everyone properly tomorrow
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JennKay - love the blond! Altho the brunette is fun too.
Tooyoung - I forgot to say earlier - hooray! So great to see when this sh't is working
Happy dance as I have successfully had infusion 2.
Cold caps make a super long day tho - I am exhausted. Can't wait to go home and pass out and well, wait for the SEs to begin...they do seem to be working tho. Might be all my delays but hair is hanging in there...mostly.
Mags - hope you feel better soon!
Wishing all July sisters a restful weekend.
Rain
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TooYoung – what awesome news. The best of the day.
Puffin – lovin’ the picture! And the hats are amazing. The pink and blues blend well together and are not to loud very nice mixture.
JenKay – love the short bob.
Thinkin’ of you all every day and hugs toall going into their next cycle of treatmentsnext week.
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Puffin and Jen Kay, great pics!
Pinkninja, my doc put me on pantoprazole 40mg for heartburn and it worked like a charm. Tried tums, Zantac 150, nothing helped like the rx. Just a thought. I also feel like a walking pharmacy but hey, it gets me through the SE' s and won't be forever.
Too Young what great news, best wishes to you.
Shirley, your new hats are lovely. The one with the flower is super cute!
Rain, glad you made it thru 2nd infusion too! Here's to no SE!
Mags, sending positive thoughts your way and hoping you feel better a little more each day.
Hugs to all my July ladies!
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