My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Comments
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Micmel thinking of you getting your bloodwork today.
Bella I believe I’m not used to cold anymore. I never liked it though. It was cold here last night 49!!
Sheila I’d be scared losing weight like that too. I favor the fat side and did lose a lot of weight on the chemo but on Ibrance I’ve gained all the weight back.
MAe I love food too.
Tanya
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checking in! So round two of ac was not as brutal on me as round one. Day seven is my killer. I have no strength no energy and I could give a crap less to continue on. Day 8 and 9 I feel ehh but getting a bit better by the end on week. I too am loosing weight in which I can not afford! Day 7/8 don't care much to eat but otherwisei have an appetite. I'm down to 106 pound so four more rounds of ac I'll be about 80 pounds at this rate.
Micmel - glad you saw your dad. My dad died when I was 15 and I'm still glad I was there while he died bc I held his hand.
Tanya - congrats on the good news! It reminds us there can be good news, not always bad news.
Shelia - I gained weight for some reason on Xeloda. Are you taking them with enough food? I spaced my pills 30 min apart, took 3 am/pm. I'd eat, take one wait ten min take next etc. I told the doctor and he said sounds fine. It's the same As getting iv chemo and that's spread out over time. Do tell your doctor about the weight, see what they suggest.
I am bummed I have my dec ac treatment the week before Christmas, so day 7 when I am at my worst is Christmas Eve. I won't even go to stores now or around many people bc I can't risk getting sick with such low blood counts. This means I won't be going anywhere. I keep telling myself it is one Christmas and I need to be thankful I will be here this Christmas. It just stinks all we go through, how crappy we feel and we then are the ones that still have to miss out on everything. We have to change and stop our normal lives and everyone around you just goes on like nothing. I was always one to try to keeep up, on the go. Now im sitting and watching. I hate it!
Hope everyone has a happy Friday
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ok I must have way too much going on this month. My bloodwork is Monday good thing too because the snow wasn't fun. I honestly didn't want to go out in this. Nothing was plowed and it is really wet. So it's actually Monday! Phew. So thank you Tanya for remembering sweet friend. I'm just relaxing until my DH arrives this evening. With thanksgiving this coming week. He will be here more! Yay! Hope you're doing well today. 🌷🌷
Skitz~ I'm going again to see him Tuesday. I texted him last night and he said he was looking forward to the visit again. He asked for some things for lunch. My sister and I are going to bring it sowe make sure he eats. My step monster took the phone and was Extremely over nice to me saying he wasn't able to text too well. Provided me with her number and said I could call her any time. Excuse me what? I'll call you alright but you don't want to hear what I call you!! I was just polite, I don't want to upset my Dad. I'll just keep it civil and brief. Just for him. I'm sorry about your loss with your father, ty for sharing that special memory with me/ us. I am not sure I would be able to do that. I'm a little scared. Having cancer and all. It's a lot to look at seeing him so frail. Thank you all for caring.
Love to everyone. ❤️
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just checking in. Micmel, sorry it’s been so hard for you and your Dad over the years. I think those kind of relationships affect everything else in our lives. But glad you got to go see him, and I hope for your sake that things continue to get better with him, although I realize you’re probably don’t have a lot of time with them, But maybe you can achieve some kind of peace about the whole situation. Will be thinking of you next week when you get your blood work up and have your appointment. Can’t even imagine trying to wean off of medications by yourself. I’ve tried that a couple of times myself and just decided I am on what I’m on for a reason and I’ll continue taking it.
Wanted to stop in and see what everyone else has done about losing your appetite. This week has been hard, because everything is making me sick to my stomach even with the anti-nausea pills. And I really have no appetite at all, and I’ve lost all taste. I can’t taste anything now not even salt. So I don’t know whether to say something to my oncologist, or not. I am starting to lose some weight do to just not being hungry !
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Sorry lost part of that! So anyway, hi to everybody, have just kind a read back a little bit because I’ve been gone for too long to read at all. I think of you all a lot, but I’m finding it’s much better for my emotional well-being to be gone for the most part. Hope this finds everybody doing OK and hanging tough
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Whenever i lost my appetite and taste on AC my favorite thing to eat was baked potatoes. They have much taste anyways so they almost tasted normal, plus they were soft and didn’t hurt to digest. Throw on a good amount of butter and sour cream for calories and voila - easy food. I also drank nutrition shakes, but for some reason they tasted weird from chemo mouth. I mixed them with milk. Also fruit as a snack - easy to ea, digest and aren’t to I bad without taste since I like the texture anyways.0 -
Now I will not vouch for this but someone told me they ate a pickle before each meal and they could taste food.
I also should have an old newspaper article about some red berry? That helps with taste. That is at work so I need to read it.
I'm not a banana lover and my potassium went low when I was in the hospital. They of course gave me a bag and some pills but get nervous at home since I don't eat as much. Potatoes are a good source of that as well. I like cheese and either broc or bacon on them!
I keep trying to find things to add to pack on some calories. It's so hard! I never ate breakfast in the past and I do now.
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well I just searched online and they are called miracle berries. They seem to help you taste food so you want to eat then. Not sure where you can buy them though
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I got the link to vaccine trial I mentioned before.
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thanks for the link parry! I’m excited to check it out.
Does anyone have any tips for your mouth and tongue from chemo? I would love to just cut mine off! I tried the not so magic mouth wash. Brushing my teeth with mint toothpaste sent me falling to the ground about crying like a baby, no lie. I suck on ice during ac chemo but that’s not cutting it.
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I like to soak my mouth in cold water or some warm tea with milk. I don’t think it helps heal anything, but it feels good! Like a bath for your mouth. I’m sure you could find some herbal things to add that would help soothe as well to infuse the water or tea or w/e you chose with. Hope this helps
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Try Biotine mouthwash. Use it several times a day. As much as needed it helps tremendously!!!
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Thanks for a few suggestions.
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Hello Gracie~ my sweet friend. Always nice to see you here. I understand when you say, sometimes it's good to just stay away from all things cancer! Hope all is well! Much love ~M~
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I had my CTs/bone scans on Monday. It showed only one lymph node, by my left hip, had grown 1.5 mm. The rest was normal. So now she's sending me for a PET scan on Wed, and then I see her on Fri. If the scan comes back not as cancer (which she thinks it will, because breast cancer rarely goes to that lymph node), then I will have my chemo, if it comes back positive, we move on, I hope it come back no cancer. I'm really liking these minimal side effects (aside from no appetite, but I do need to lose some more, I've lost 50 lbs since I started this stage 4 journey, another 50 and I'll be down to my wedding weight! I'm not dieting and eat when I feel like it. I get my cereal in every morning, the rest of the day is hit or miss. So fingers crossed for me on Wed please. You'll know what I'll be thinking of at Thanksgiving dinner. UGH!
Lynne.
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Lynne, I will say a prayer for you and keep my fingers crossed. I hope the results of the PET scan allow you to continue on your current treatment. Try to enjoy Thanksgiving. It sounds like there will be lots of people at you mother-in-law’s ( I think that’s where you will be), so you will have lots of distractions. I am already tired of this cloudy cold weather and snow. I need a full week of sunshine.
Tanya, Woohoo for good scan results.
Sheila, I hope your body adjusts to xeloda. I am on my 4th cycle (7 days on/7 days off), and I have had very few SEs. I did have fatigue and some nausea during the first cycle, but that seems to have disappeared. Although it seems counterintuitive, I found that eating a little something when nausea hit actually helped. Everyone seems to react differently to xeloda. I hope it works well for you for a long time.
I haven’t read all the recent posts, and it will take me a while to catch up. I hope everyone is doing well. I have been doing well with the exception of anemia that worsens each month. Just walking from one room to another causes shortness of breath.
I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. It will be crazy here, and I will enjoy every minute. I started shopping for Christmas. I have done everything online, and I have already wrapped some things that have been delivered.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Hugs and prayers from, Lynne
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Lynne (Man)~I will be in your pocket, I understand completely! I'm already sending good thoughts... it's not! You're amazing... you're so active and strong. Sending hugs to you! Monday is bloodwork and XGeva. (Got the right date this time I'm sure) then the following Monday scan and see onc a few days later. I'm already dreading the entire deal. It's like we go away from the visits and the scans bloodwork etc. I have not scanned in six months.. seems like yesterday. In my memory. Ptsd triggers. Bloodwork since August. Every pain... every head ache. I worry! There are times I feel so good and strong. Others. Not so much. Irritated, tired, achey, my mind fogs up same time every afternoon. Then I struggle. I've noticed. If I don't sleep a good 8-10 hours. Solid sleep. I just feel badly. It sucks. The life of having cancer really sucks. We all share an unwanted bond. But you're all so wonderful. I'm glad we have each other to complain and sympathize with.
Ty for each and everyone of you!
~M~
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Lynne(50's)~Hello lovely... always very nice to see you here. You have been missed. I'm very sorry to hear that you're having issues with anemia. I had slight anemia and they gave me ferrex? I believe it was called. They also can give you iron shots monthly or bi weekly depending on what your doctor recommends and what your levels are. I remember how exhaustion was always with me. I never felt rested. I hope they get a handle on it for you soon! Good to see you... ~M~
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Hi Micmel, I have had lots of blood tests, and I have plenty of iron in my body. I do not have enough red blood cells. The cancer cells in my bone marrow are preventing the marrow from producing enough cells. We are hoping that xeloda will knock out those nasty critters. If necessary. I can have a transfusion, but that is just a temporary solution. I had this same issue 3 1/2 years ago when I was first diagnosed, and it resolved over time with treatment. Unfortunately, I am an impatient person and don’t like waiting for xeloda to kick in. I want instant results. Lol. Good luck in your tests and scans this week. My dh will have scans on Monday with results on Tuesday. I am hoping for good results for him, too
Hugs and prayers from, Lynne
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Hi 50's. I'm glad your new treatment is working.
Gracie hi lady. When I had that awful nausea I only could eat chicken soup broth and some dry toast. I melted cheese on it and I guess thats how I survived.
Skitzblitz I'm happy your second round wasn't as bad as the first. Maybe they'll get progressively better since you'll know what to expect.
Parnynd I agree with the baked potato with cheese and sour cream.
Lynne NH I hope that all your tests are good. I didn't hear about lymph nodes in that area. I pray that they mean nothing for you. Keep up the good work with your weight loss.
Micmel I hope you're having a good day today. I have a Dr. appt. with the orthopedic doctor. I think he'll recommend physical therapy again. I just don't feel like I have energy anymore. I have to force myself through it though bc I know it will be good for me.
Tanya
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Help!! My pathology report was uploaded today. What do you think??
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The fever has arrived this evening. I had it last night, 99.9. Tonight it has gone up to 100.7. I took a cool shower and it brought it back down. I took tylenol at 4, so I can't take anymore until 10. I'm hoping it goes away. We are suppose to go to the neighbors. I saw my onc yesterday, and my white cells were fine, my lungs were clear. I just think this happens on this chemo (CMF). I've had it before, since starting this in July.
Lynne-Yes we are going to my in-laws. His sister, husband, and daughter, my husband's parents, and our crew (11 of us), will be going. His 2 brothers are staying home. I'm so happy that all (or most) of your boys will be home! That will be so nice for you! I have to get 4 birthday gifts (there are 8 Dec birthdays in the family, I don't by for myself or my sister's triplets, who are turning 22) done before Christmas! It used to be my favorite holiday, not anymore. So commercialized. I'm already sick of the cold, rain, and snow too! I hope your hubby's scans come out great!
Sheila-I wish I could tell you what it means! I wish they just wrote them in layman's terms!
Tanya-Thank you. So glad your scans came out good! The weight loss I'm not doing. I just have no appetite with this chemo. I'm afraid if I change chemos, I'll eat everything in site! LOL
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100.2 now! Hope it keeps going down!
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Shoot Shelia! I thought they told you it was definitely not lung cancer. And of course it's over the weekend when office is not open. Do you have a way to talk to your oncologist about this pronto?
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Skitz The only thing I remember about my first Christmas taking FAC was eating sugar cookies and milk. That's it no other food. Also, I had first TX on December 13 so my hair was coming out so much I left a trail of clumps of hair. My sister was walking behind me, crying, while she picked it up off of the carpet. It was in 1992.
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Right, Daniel!?!? That’s what the pulmonologist said. I see MO on Tuesday. I’ll trust what he says. And trust me, I can’t wait. But realistically nothing would change between now and Tuesday, so..
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Sheilamarie I lost 35lb, I was trying at the start to lose some, and then it just started to drop off before diagnosis. I still am 25lb down, as my appetite is poor and I find it difficult to eat large platefuls. Also,some food I liked before is totally not wanted now, and others are ok. I don't have the healthiest diet, but have kept my weight stable for a while now
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Tanya, glad your scan results were good. Relax for another 3 months x
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Sheila,
it sounds like to me that at first they could not rule out breast cancer...It seems conflicting. Basal small cell is usually lung related. Small fragments is what I'm holding onto. Meaning they are small in size and not big enough to measure like they usually can with tumors. If there is lung cancer... it's very early and.... they have some fantastic treatments out there that are really something. For lung cancer. Typically, as they mention cancers can change, but In this case i would Just. Ask the onc the second you see him. Is this another primary ? I do like having my results. But when you have questions. Someone should damn well be available! That is just NOT ok. Not in the least
Lynne(50's).~ lets tell that body of yours that it's time to go back to 3.5 years ago and begin healing again. I'll send you good thoughts for your DH as well. Bloodwork and scabs this week for me as well Monday blood following Monday scans. Ugh. You're such a strong beautiful soul. Hugs sweet woman!
Lynne(Man)~ you're the only person I know that would even think about going out, the day after chemo no less with having a fever. You're something else for sure !! Wow. I hope your fever is gone gone! Please feel better and if you do go out, wash those hands over and over !!! Don't want you to get more sick.!
Daniel~ Hello there. How is the beautiful wife Leslie.?? Think of your little family everyday and hope you're all good!
Grannax ~ the thought of you loosing you're hair like that made me cry myself. The same thing happened to me. It is just devastating. I hated myself then. No hair made me feel less than a woman. Some look so lovely and beautifully feminine. Some can rock a scarf like no body’s business! Me not so much. I avoided mirrors at all cost. I cried 24-7 filled with anger and rage. Sometimes that rage comes back as we go through this hell. As I watch my friends go back and forth, juggling news. Good and bad. I’m just so sad to think we live this way. We fight for everyday, sometimes every step. It’s just so wrong on o many levels
Tanya~ I guess we eat what ever appeals to us. Thats how I am. I eat when I'm hungry. If I'm not hungry. I cannot eat. Then it becomes a texture issue. And I gag and can't eat it. I'm not trying either. It's concerning doctors associate weight loss and progression. I don't like that word at all. It seems like we walk around trying to avoid that word. I know I have been told by my oncologist that someday cancer will take my life. Gee thanks. Now you have a crystal ball!? I guess he does. And it's called cancer. Nothing we do or don't at this point. Can change our path. We just stumble and fall on our way there. Hating most steps we take. But only taking them because we have too. Sometimes knowing is too much. It knowing is like a turtle that can go back into his shell protected from everything else.
Minnie~ I love Christmas cookies. I can always always eat that lol. Yummy! Yum yum! With coffee. Oh yeah. Delicious for sure! ~M~
Love you guys
Sheila. Holding your hand beautiful! We are here !
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Thanks to everyone for your responses.
Unfortunately on the food front, I’m allergic to so much my food situation was already strained. I’m a true celiac, so absolutely no gluten at all, so that includes wheat and barley and a few other grains as well. Also dairy and can’t have any soy at all. So it’s getting really hard to eat. And my stomach hurts constantly, wondering if I’m developing an ulcer, I’ve had many in the past and it feels the same. Evidently the celiac thing runs in our family. My son and both of his sons are also celiac. Sucks but it is what it is.
Will be thinking of you all with tests this coming week, and 50’s, that includes your DH! Prayers for you all!
I have my check tomorrow with my onc, anxious to see what my tumor markers show. They’ve always been very reliable for me, but am really thinking I’m about done with Abraxane. The side effects are kicking my rear. I have no idea what I could go to and if course the fear that anything else will fail is always thrre
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