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Chemo starting October 2017

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  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 247
    edited January 2018

    The vulnerability, compassion and voice in these texts warms my heart. I wish I could hug you all.

    MO today. Blood is good. Offered switching to Taxol to reduce skin issues and bone pain. It would lengthen my treatment. I said no thank you. I have a schedule 🤪.

    Regarding night sweats and emotion. MO says chemopause. Chemo is doing what it’s supposed to and it’s good for my ER+ BC. So I’ll learn to live. And likely nap to supplement my interrupted sleep.

    I have a new plan for dealing with neulasta pain which involves the same dose of steroids but stretching them out.

    Talked about Rads. MO predicts 16 sessions with 5 boosts. Hopeful that I will be referred to the closer centre. 1.5 hr drive vs 3.

    I understand the feeling of chemo being a safety net. I’m grateful I’ll have tamoxifen.

    After an emotional two weeks I feel rest for #5 and then my FINAL chemo.

    Love to you all,

    Sara

  • petey111
    petey111 Member Posts: 157
    edited January 2018

    Agatha - the glasses are just soooo awesome! I highly recommend them, even if they are expensive! I can't find any others that are like that or as nice looking.

    Lisa - I have to giggle because we are very much on the same wavelength today. I keep thinking about what a long haul this Taxol business is and how tired of it I will be later on. And I said to my husband yesterday....Julia Louis Dreyfus is already done with her chemo?? She was diagnosed after me! Of course I had surgery first and she went into chemo quickly it sounded like. But still!! Pays to be a celebrity I guess.

    Weird question - Does anyone end up sneezing a bit on their Taxol infusion day? Not anything crazy, but maybe just several more times over the course of the evening than usual? Just curious because it's happened to me every time so far.


  • Jennifer522
    Jennifer522 Member Posts: 194
    edited January 2018

    Hi ladies! It's so nice to come to this thread and see others feeling the same way. It really is my support group!

    I have been struggling with emotions and worry. I was feeling really alone last week and it's not anything my family can help with. It is just feeling alone with this disease. Monday night it came to a head. I heard a knock on the door and just assumed it was a package delivery set on my doorstep. I opened the door to 2 girl scouts and a mom selling cookies. Here I was bald as can be. The girls didn't seem to notice but I could tell the look in mom's eyes, she knew. After I bought a couple boxes, mom asked for a hug and then again. She told me her aunt went through this and she didn't make it (she could have left that out!!). The hugs made me tear up and as they left, the girls were asking mom what was wrong. I felt bad that she had to explain to her girls. I sat on the couch and cried for the next hour. I felt guilty, as if I should not have opened the door.

    Tuesday was chemo and for some reason that makes me feel better emotionally. That I am doing something to kill these cancer cells! I can still feel my lump, although smaller. I have lumpy breasts and half the time, I am not sure what I am even feeling. When I found the lump in September, it was because it actually created a protrusion, I could see it in the mirror. Thank goodness, I happened to have a regular GYN appt in a few days. Otherwise, I might have thought wait a few period cycles and see if it goes down as I read online with cysts and fibroadenoma. I have had fears too of chemo ending. You want it too but at the same time, fear it was not enough. I totally understand now when I read about PTSD after treatment.

    Petey-I know Taxol can create sinus type SE's. So that is probably what it is. Taxol #2 and now #3, I have been getting flushed face and my face itches like crazy. I take benadryl for a few days after.

    I noticed that too about Julia Louis Dreyfus chemo ending when we were dx about the same time. But you never know what type, grade, size, what other treatment is coming. I do feel jealous, celeb's probably have a lot more personal attention from doc's than average women.

    My blood work has been improving on taxol but my BP has been going back up. The last several years, I have been on the verge of needing meds for it. My WBC and Hemoglobin were within range in quite some time. My glucose was little high but I blame lots of birthday cake in the last 2 weeks. I really need to get on the diet and exercise plan.

  • HikerVA1956
    HikerVA1956 Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2018

    Happy to report I had my final Taxol Chemo on Tuesday!! WhooHoo. I got to ring the Bell in the Chemo room and all the nurses and other patients applauded.... it felt weird, like am I really done??? It was comforting to have those appointments and check-ups ( you all have reported the same) and felt like I was actively fighting this disease, now what......... And yes, I know surgery will tell if it really killed all the cancer, and then recovering from the surgery will be another "unknown" and wondering what side effects I will be left with after that... AND DIET!! I know that is an area that I need to fight harder on to keep the cancer at bay, and I eat really great healthy vegan food, fresh, but I have really leaned on the sweets during chemo, and I have gained about 8 lbs... already wanted to lose 15 lbs prior... and that is something I could really buckle down on, but IT IS SO HARD!!! Oh and the ONC said that my blood counts were really good and up prior to this last chemo too. So far, other than the steroids keeping me awake the night after chemo, feeling pretty good, some aching at night, but when I am up moving around I do not notice it...

    I talked to the ONC prior to my infusion, about what if during surgery they find live cancer cells still there, we talked about the Xeloda. At this time, he said he does not see additional treatments necessary, since I had a complete disappearance of my lumps from the A/C, and the Taxol was the extra insurance. He said that he will talk to the Radiation team, just in the event I may need radiation if live cells are found, but at this point, he does not see any need for more. He is going to see me in 4 weeks to check my blood work, and I see my BS on Feb 8th to do Mamo and US prior to surgery which we will set up at that time. I meet with the Plastic S on 1/23, so things are moving along. I think I am worrying more about work than anything else, and if I can work the long hours again...be able to concentrate etc... I have worked up to 6 hours, 3 days straight in the last few weeks, but still worry.

    Thanks for everyone being there and supporting each other... you are my support system!!

  • LisaCincy
    LisaCincy Member Posts: 316
    edited January 2018

    Jennifer, shortly after I was diagnosed, a fellow I barely know at work sent me an IM wishing me well. I thanked him for his good wishes. He ended with this: "You're very welcome. I've lost way too many people I love to this dreadful disease."

    I know he meant well, but that wasn't what I needed to hear!

    HiverVA, congratulations!!! Hoping for clear margins, clear nodes, and no sign of cancer anywhere!

    I continue to loathe Taxol. This morning I woke up and my eyes felt like they had sandpaper in them they were so dry. I am using saline spray, drinking tons of water, and have a humidifier directed at my face all night. And yet, my sinuses are like the Sahara. I guess I'll have to break down and start using eye drops.

    Oh, and my nails started lifting off their beds today, halfway down my nail bed. It doesn't hurt when it lifts but it freaks me out because I'm sure at some point they will crack off and then I'll have 1/4" of the tips of my fingers unprotected for months. Wah! FYI, I did ice for the first 3 Taxol treatments, but once they reduced it 25%, I quit. I also only occasionally take B vitamin supplement. I'll have to try to do better on both counts. It seems to me that the nails are pulling away at the site of the blood that has pooled underneath the nail during the AC round. The nail seems pink and healthy below those brown pools of blood, so hoping for the best.

    I hate, hate, hate Taxol!

    27 stupid more days to go.

    P.S. Got a note from my Patient Navigator that I am FINALLY scheduled to meet with my BS on 2/1...for 15 minutes! Guess we'll talk quickly.


  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 247
    edited January 2018

    5 done. 21 days left of chemo. image

  • petey111
    petey111 Member Posts: 157
    edited January 2018

    Jennifer - I think this Taxol makes us super emotional. I sat yesterday and got teary because my sister-in-law is so awesome and I love her. Friends tagged me in things yesterday and I had several people check in. I just felt overwhelmed with support and got all drippy. (And not with my nose/sinus stuff!) I really haven't been this way the last couple of months, so I wonder if the Taxol makes us more emotional. Glad to see you have plans in place. You'll make it through work when we you need to and everyone will understand when you need to go!!! I know it's easy for me to say "don't worry" and harder for you not to worry, but someone told me the other day not to borrow trouble. Just deal with things as they come. I'm trying to make that my mantra right now.

    Hiker!!! Congratulations!

    image

    So much more ahead for you to do. I'm sure that it feels good to be done with chemo, but overwhelming what's ahead. I hope we keep hearing from you and how you are doing.

    Lisa - Why do people say such things? I'll never understand. Oh well. I am sorry about your nails. And that you hate Taxol so much. Just think that the end is sight! I'm glad you've got a date set to talk to your BS.

    Sara - Yay for #5. I got all excited on Wed. thinking I was on #4, but then realized it's only #3 because of the week I had off from being sick. :-( Whittling away...whittling away....

    I had to talk to my primary today about my blood pressure. My MO said that I could start with my primary, but if my primary wanted her to handle my blood pressure, she would. It's getting so high. Last night it was 157/112. eek. It's been climbing higher since I stopped AC. Even today, after taking my meds, eating a decent breakfast, walking on the treadmill for 30 min. and walking about 6 blocks to and from my car on campus, I came home and it was 140/100. Something has to change with this and I don't think my diet and exercise at this exact moment is going to do the trick.

    I'm feeling more like a real person again, but kind of want to fast forward to about June. Maybe have eyebrows back. :-) I'm definitely more emotional this week. Seems to be the time for it like everyone else!

    Hang in there girls!

  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 247
    edited January 2018

    Sara - I’m relieved to hear it’s not just me that’s emotional. I wonder if it’s also the lack of estrogen. Chemopause is a real thing!!

    Blood pressure. Yes. When that bottom number gets high it gets scary. We are dealing with that with my DH right now. You seem on top of it. Which is good.

    I did get news today that I will be in Calgary (week long stays, 3hrs away) today. Boo, that sucks. Trying not to worry about it today. That’s four weeks away. Don’t borrow trouble...

    Take care,

    Sara

  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 247
    edited January 2018

    Hiker - wooooohooo!!! Congrats! I told my nurses next treatment, which is my last, we all eat chocolate cake and ring the bell. Your completion gives me hope!! 💕

    Sara

  • randrgirl
    randrgirl Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2018

    So ... today marks my final Taxol infusion.I will be done with chemo. I get to ring the bell today. I probably would have thought such a thing as corny before having cancer but now I'm really excited to ring the bell. I know my journey is far from over as my body is no longer the same. Hopefully SEs will subside over time. Lately I have chemopause on top of the physical pains. That's been a tad interesting; crying at the drop of a hat. I was on the bus, on the way to work yesterday and I started to cry. I cried all the way to work.

    I will talk to my MO about Xeloda again today before my last infusion. It seems that my docs don't feel it is for me just now. They said it's for those who see limited or little response to chemo / those with advanced cancer. I still want to inquire. Mind you my team has been great and I do trust their opinion. However, as you all know it's hard not to worry. Please know, I'm in no rush to take on more chemo unless absolutely necessary and recommended. I've had a really hard time with side effects. I'm the person who has the SEs that they say only a small percentage get. I mean ... during AC I had yeast infections under my arms. Glad that's behind me. 😳

    At least Xeloda is in my back pocket if it is deemed necessary. Moving forward...I start radiation in February. I have my initial meetings with the RO next week. I really like her so I'm hoping for a good 6 weeks with her. Not looking forward to it but thankful for the treatments available.

    But for now, today is the last Taxol and I get to reclaim my time, as Maxine Waters might say, and ring the bell.

    A special shout out to my sister who has sat with me through every appointment and treatment. She won't see this but it truly has meant the world to me! All of my siblings have really stepped up in different ways.I am blessed to be 8 out of 8.

    Wishing you all the best! Thanks for being a listening ear. Have a lovely weekend!

  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 247
    edited January 2018

    Eight. Love your post. I’m so proud of you of persevering through some pretty nasty SE please post a pick if you rigging that glorious bell. That will be so uplifting. Laying here wide awake at 5:21 thinking about all the things these next 20 days can hold for me before my last infusion. You inspire me 💕

    Sara

  • Jennifer522
    Jennifer522 Member Posts: 194
    edited January 2018

    Ring that bell Eight! Glad to see one of us finishing!

    Woke up this morning noticing even more of my lashes and brows are gone. They are leaving at a fast and furious rate. Really nailing that cancer patient look. Some of my nails look odd too. A big toe nail peeling apart from the side. A few finger nails where the the white part (free edge) is half way down my nail bed now and cracking/ridges/lines. Trying to keep up on filing (so they don't snag) and lots of hand/foot cream. Some yellowing and red spots.

    I looked into the Look Good Feel Better class. But its at a bad time for me and not again until first week of March.


  • petey111
    petey111 Member Posts: 157
    edited January 2018

    Eight - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!! You take every moment of that bell ringing to enjoy!

    Jennifer - I know what you mean! My eyebrows and lashes are almost gone now. :-( I wish that the class worked for you because I have pulled out several things from that make up bag lately. The moisturizer is a really high quality one that works so well compared to other things I had. And yesterday I used the eyebrow pencil for the first time. Even the foundation they put in the bag was a better color for my current chemo spotted face than my normal one. Mind you, since I'm not working right now, I haven't put on make up for like a month, but I had a meeting yesterday for the job I will be starting this summer and wanted to feel/look like a regular person again. :-)

    I am going to run a few errands today. Tomorrow, I might go shopping with a friend and then to a little party for a friend who adopted her foster son. I hope I make it through it all!! :-)

  • petey111
    petey111 Member Posts: 157
    edited January 2018

    By the way, if you feeling like indulging your chemopause side and having a good cry, my friend tagged me in this video the other day. It took me two days to get myself to actually watch it. But it's very touching. Sara - Fair warning, it's a teacher and her students, so it might hit close to home for you too. :-)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITd5pesVjpY

  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 247
    edited January 2018

    Sara - I’ve seen this. Love it soooo much! Many tears......every time. My school family has been so supportive and helpful. What a blessing.


  • HikerVA1956
    HikerVA1956 Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2018

    Petey (Sara) Thank you so much for the funny Clip from Friends!!! and I appreciate the congratulations.

    Lisa & Joyseeker and anyone else I may have missed Happy : Thank you too!

    I really wanted a photo ringing the bell too, but no one goes to Chemo with me, and the nurses seemed so busy, I hated to ask...but hope others get "that photo"!! Good luck to you today EightoutofEight, and so sorry you have had so many nasty side effects... hope everything gets better quickly. Jennifer: I have been losing eyebrows & lashes like crazy too, almost afraid to look this morning, there are probably none left!! I had checked out the Look Good Feel Better Program here and I had just missed the one in Nov... but there is one in early Feb. and I have made a note to call and reserve a spot... I am REALLY in the need for something to perk me up and hope to find some local support friends too. Today, I have a pedicure planned, my toes have held up pretty well during all the chemo, and although one big toe has a lot of white (pulling away) I am going to have fun, get polished and forget about cancer for a few minutes today. Hope everyone has a positive day today.

  • LisaCincy
    LisaCincy Member Posts: 316
    edited January 2018

    Eightoutof...congratulations!! I know what you mean about the SEs. I am getting/got random fevers, shivers, and lifting of nails with Taxol. And, of course, the eternally stuffed bloody/goopy nose. Crazy stuff. I'm so happy that you're finished.

    HikerVA....Woo hoo! Enjoy that pedi.

    Jennifer, it is so funny that you said that you're really rocking the cancer patient look. I thought the same thing today when I looked in the mirror. Half of my lashes are still there, but they are so light that it makes me look lashless anyway. I lined my eye with an eyebrow pencil just because it depressed me. I also have a thin line of eyebrows hanging on for dear life, which I filled in with eyebrow pencil. My only consolation is that losing my face (as my friend called it when she lost her eyelashes and eyebrows) is one of the last milestones that I was dreading, so I guess that means I'm one step closer to being done!

    At least the hair on my head is coming back. It's totally white. Egads.

    image

    4 more Taxol/26 more days of chemo!

    Happy Friday, everyone!

  • AgathaNYC
    AgathaNYC Member Posts: 317
    edited January 2018

    LisaRx: Thanks for the anecdote from Joan Lunden's book. It felt good to hear her describe her end of chemo shakes. I'm sorry you're hating Taxol so much. I don't like it either :-) I felt like a wimp that I couldn't finish the dose dense program with Taxol, but it's a rough drug.

    HikerVA: Congratulations on finishing chemo! Thanks for sharing that you are also a little apprehensive about finishing. I was afraid I was being especially negative or fearful. It's so reassuring that you guys can understand what I'm trying to say. Even with the side effects of treatment there was something to having my MO give me a physical exam every two weeks and answer all the questions I'd written out, often more than a page. I felt like I was actively fighting the cancer as I watched the drugs flow into my arm.

    Jennifer - Oh, your Girl Scout story. It gave me a lump in my throat. These emotional waves are too much! I bet it wasn't as traumatic for the girls to see your bald head as you're fearing. It was a good teaching moment and it's what the Scouts is about.

    Joyseeker - Wow, you look so pretty in that chemo chair! Color in your cheeks, bangs on your head, a smile on your face…. It must feel so good to have just one treatment left.

    EightOf8 - YAY!! Congrats of finishing up chemo and "RECLAIMING YOUR TIME"! I love a Moment of Maxine. It must feel so good to have chemo over and done with, especially with all the SE's you had to deal with. "NEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTED"! Good luck with radiation going forward. Please stop back here and tell us how it's going.

    Petey - thanks for posting that YouTube video. it was so sweet and totally made me cry. I'm proud of my little fellow NYer's!

    I was hoping I could just do one triple dose of Taxol at my chemo infusion, but my MO and I discussed the pros and cons of doing the dose dense vs. 4 more weeklies and weekly won. If I did the DD there's more of a chance my neuropathy would be permanent, much more likely to lose all my brows and lashes starting to thin like a lot of you guys), would have to get a Neulasta shot that gives me major bone pain, might not even be able to move up my surgery schedule at this point. So, 21 more days it is for me!

    I'm also going to do acupuncture to help with the neuropathy. My breast center has an oncology acupuncture department so I'm hopeful they've dealt with a lot of this and it will be effective.

    Have a good Friday evening everyone. Hope you eek out some fun!

  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 247
    edited January 2018

    I love you all. I want a reunion with you all some day with loads of cake and tea. I picked this up when I went for my neulasta (puke, gag, boo, f$&&k) today. So far it’s very insightful and reassuring. 19 days left of chemo.image

  • randrgirl
    randrgirl Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2018

    Final Chemo down. On to radiation. I have an appointment next week. Until then I work through the Taxol side effects as I have done previously. I’m glad that I can finally get over the steroids so that my weight gets back in control and soon my hair will really begin to grow.

    I rang the bell today and everyone at the cancer center applauded. They want to see me get well as much as I want to. It really meant so much. I’m posting a picture of me and the bell for those who asked. Thanks to everyone for the kind words of support. Wishing everyone the best - those who are starting their chemo journey, those in the middle, and those like me who are ringing or preparing to ring the bell. This is a tough road but we all have the strength within us to travel it, and make it to the other side.


    image

  • LisaCincy
    LisaCincy Member Posts: 316
    edited January 2018

    Here's a link to Joan Lunden's video for those getting ready to finish the last chemo. "Understanding your last day of treatment"

    I feel a special kinship with Joan because she has TNBC and, like me, craves good information and pro-active steps that we can take to help us survive and thrive post-cancer.

    http://www.joanlunden.com/category/51-alive-with-j...

  • tri-lady7
    tri-lady7 Member Posts: 95
    edited January 2018

    Congratulations HikerVA and Eightoutof8! Best of luck with radiation and surgery. Hiker I know what you mean about the uncertainty of moving forward. I worry about what happens when all the treatment is over. I work with a handful of ladies who have been through all this and are thriving,some 10 plus years, so I feel reassured. They have been such a support. My eyelashes are almost gone and my eyebrows are hanging on by a thread. I have fake eyelashes and eyebrows so I am going to practice applying them this weekend. So happy we are all almost done with chemo. Taxol #6 on Monday 44 more days

  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 247
    edited January 2018

    I just want to say....can you believe some of us are getting to the end? Don’t go dear friends. I still need your commission and understanding for Rads.....

  • randrgirl
    randrgirl Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2018

    Joy- everyone will always pop in so you will never be alone.

    Oh and one more thing I didn't share was that I had a heart to heart with the MO and while I don't qualify now, she is reviewing all TN immunotherapy trials and will let me know of ones that I qualify for. The good thing, my hospital has many trials for TN patients. The bad news ( (but actually good) is that due to my cancer not being advanced and not meeting certain criteria, I don't qualify for the few that are open now. However, there is one that will be starting right after my radiation ends that she's feels could be a fit for me. She is checking the criteria. And will call me with details this week. Fingers crossed. I want I stay in front of all the research for TNs and know I'm continuing to do things to prevent going through this again. She was impressed by how much I knew and I told her that I learned from others who had been through it in this community.

  • dkk
    dkk Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2018

    Happy Saturday Everyone!!

    This morning when I read this posts I really had a breakdown. It was so emotional to see and hear so many finishing up their treatments. I broke down with a good cry and my family thought I read something bad on the posts. I kept telling them it was a happy cry. Very emotional, we have been through soooo much and we fought sooo hard . It was so joyful to see Eight ringing the bell. I love it. I am not sure if my family understands, but I am sure you all will. On Valentine's Day I will be ringing my bell too.Heart

    LisaRX our white hair looks about the same. My hair hasn't fallen out since the last three treatments. I hate how the closer you get to the final taxols, you still get these darn new SE happening, like lifting nails, dry eyes, bloody nose, facial hair falling out! It's almost like Cancer is just trying to give you one last punch in the stomach. But we will fight through it, almost there. We will make it my warriors.

    Girls just starting to deal with losing lashes and brows... again one last punch in the stomach!! Just when I thought I looked like a cancer patient, with no facial hair I REALLY looked like a cancer patient. I looked bad!! But it is unbelievably what makeup can do! I can't say enough about WUnderbrow. Love it. I bought some false eyelashes but never used them. I really don't have time before work to deal with them. BUT I was so surprised that by the next week little lashes started growing back in. A mascara with fibers will fill in the bare spots. In the Look good Feel good class they remind you to get the mascara close to the lids, not just on the tips of your lashes, because that is where your new lashes are and it well make them look thicker.

    Just want to thank everyone again for your support. Love to you all and prayers for a great weekend


  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 247
    edited January 2018

    My SIL, who is way up in capital health in Alberta, just came back from quite a large oncology conference. She said long-ten survival for stages 1-4 are way up. She says “Sara, prepare to be a cancer survivor.” So I’m passing that along to you.... my decision today. Is this my new family member?? I think so....image

  • HikerVA1956
    HikerVA1956 Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2018

    Joyseeker: let us know how the book is, I have not read much during my treatment. I agree with you on continuing to check in here, I need to continue that friendship and support, we know each other, and I need to keep it too!!! A reunion would be wonderful too.

    Lisa: Thanks for the link to the Joan Lunden sight, I just watch the one on the last day of Chemo, it is good, and everything I was feeling, it is great to get validation on feelings, from that and HERE. I also watched the one on post treatment symptoms, even a year or two later... it was nice to feel that validation too, like things are NOT going to just go back to the old normal and I may have to push for some allowances of that at work.. and to know it is not just in my head.

    Tri-lady: Thank you for the words of congratulation!!! and sisterhood...

    Eightof8: Love your Bell Ringing Photos!!! That is wonderful that they do so much to celebrate at your facility. (still wish I had a photo)

    Still feeling funny about returning to work Monday, I will be checking in here daily for conversation and support of the process...it is nice to know I am not totally alone. My office is small, just one other lady there, but she is just SO negative and has been no support... and I understand that she has been carrying the office, although I have kept up my work, she still is the only one to answer phones and take the brunt of the day to day stuff... I know too she is resentful. I just have to deal with it, I think the best way is to try and applaud her & praise her for all she has done, maybe that will ease the transition a little. I need the job and the insurance, so I have to suck it up and do what it takes. I will keep everyone posted.

  • LisaCincy
    LisaCincy Member Posts: 316
    edited January 2018

    Got my first walk in today in months. It's 45F today and sunny and the snow is melting all over. It was wonderful to breathe some fresh air and feel sun on my face. My husband went with me and we had a good conversation. He's unrealistically optimistic ("Honey, in 3 weeks this is going to be all over with!"), but it was good for me to hear from someone who believes in me, and more importantly, can envision our future together.

    Taxol #8 has been strangely kind to me. Maybe it's all relative because that awful virus is finally over, or maybe I'm just getting used to the SEs, but my energy has been really good, even on days 2 and 3 when it's historically low. I exercised for 20 minutes on Friday and 40 minutes today. I am feeling a new sense of purpose re my overall health, and am re-committed to eating healthier, losing weight and exercising more. I'm down over 20 pounds already and feel that another 5 is achievable before the end of chemo.

    Hiker, I'm so sorry that you have to deal with a resentful co-worker. I've covered for my co-workers throughout the years, and while I didn't like giving up my sweet schedule, I was thrilled to help someone in their time of need. (She, in turn, has been a great source of strength and friendship throughout my ordeal.) It's what good people do for each other.

    Sara, I don't plan on going anywhere for a long time. Y'all understand what I'm going through! Thank you so much for the words about increased odds of survival. That's so good to hear! I know it is weighing heavily on us all as we begin to transition off of chemo. Although I do give in to fears and depressing thoughts occasionally, I am very optimistic for my future, and for all of us here, that we will celebrate many Cancerversaries. Chemo is/was no fun, but we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now, and it's glorious!

    P.S. I vote YES, YES, YES on the puppy!

    25 more days of chemo/4 more treatments



  • petey111
    petey111 Member Posts: 157
    edited January 2018

    EIGHT!!! - WOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Way to ring that bell woman! Congrats!

    Sara - #1 - Let us know how the book is. #2 - We aren't going anywhere! If nothing else, we can all just shift to a new thread, but we could all just stay in this thread too. #3 - OMG. That puppy is soooooo cute. I think you need him. You will love him, and squeeze him, and call him George. (Ok...you don't have to call him George, that was just the Bugs Bunny cartoon talking...)

    Lisa - Thank you for the link.

    DKK - Valentine's Day is coming soon!!! It will be here before you know it!

    Hiker - That stinks to have someone so negative to have to work with. I've seen/dealt with my fair share of them. I think you are right in your approach. Maybe even get a small bright plant or inexpensive bouquet to give her to thank her. It will make you smile to look at it too and maybe turn her frown upside down!

    Last night I went down hill. I wasn't really nauseous, but my tummy was unsettled. My eyes were all blurry. I was tired and starting to ache a bit. Today, though I went out with my friend shopping, I am not so great again. My taste is off, I ache, blurry eyes again....and my gut can't decide if it has the big D or the big C. It's rather annoying. If this is piling up by treatment 3, I'm not anxious to get deeper in. :-( I know I will make it through, just like all of you, but *sigh* I'm tired of feeling icky.

    I went to bed at about 8:30 last night. I've made it a bit later tonight, but probably not by a lot! :-)

    Rain and snow coming....I caved this week and had groceries scheduled for delivery. So I'm going to hole up at home with achey body and some cranberry orange muffins I got myself from the store!

    Love you ladies!!! Thank you for listening!!

  • dkk
    dkk Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2018

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    Hair and makeup does wonders!!! LOL Nerdy