Starting Chemo in June 2005
Options
Comments
-
Chemo brain makes me forget who posted what too! Even if I go back a second time. All in all, it sounds like we are moving forward. Sorry to hear of the problems with taxol/taxtoere for those who are having them. And hoping the end of A/C gets here soon for anyone not finished with that fun yet.
Saleboat (Jen) I think you mentioned your birthday is coming up! HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Again with the chemo brain...whoever posted about delaying treatment a week for their child's first day at school...it sure won't hurt to ask!
Liz -
Am glad I am not the only one who can't remember who posted what. Sorry to hear of those of you not having a good day and am glad I shared my bottom of the sea story ( I thought at first---how dumb, but sounds like it was enjoyed). I will have to watch both those movies again-The Little Merimaid was big when Savanna was little and I remember when my DH bought finding Nemo for my 6 month old granddaughter.I felt Towanda for the first time today-I woke up and just did not feel like going to work-so I called in, went back to sleep for 3 hours and just hope that the symptoms I have are hay-fever from a very fantastic harvest and my neutraphils are ok a week from today. Don't know what is going on in my head-this morning when DH was getting ready for work I think consciously I was ignoring him because in my sleep world I was at an Army Recruitment Kiosk at DisneyWorld and didn't want to wake up until I was sure I hadn't joined (I normally don't even remember dreams and now I thinking I'm managing my waking and sleeping world---my Chemo brain may be worse than I thought). Then the thought I couldn't get out of my head today was "The sky is falling, the sky is falling", so am thinking that I am over worrying-Take care and have a great Friday.
KimB -
I didn't realize the decadron is why I am having a hard time sleeping. Thanks for the tip!!
-
Hi ladies! I'm new here and have been reading many our your posts. What a great group! I'm hoping maybe some of you might be able to give me a little insight. I was diagnosed with BC June '05 and had a modified radical mastectomy July 21. I'm scheduled to begin chemo Aug 24. My oncologist has recommended AC followed by Taxol but it's undecided whether I'll follow the dose dense regimen or the traditional 21-day cycle. I see several of you have done dose dense. I know everyone's reaction to chemo is different, but I just wonder what your thoughts are about having the treatment over in 4 months rather than 6 months. I'm 52 y/o, healthy (other than BC), no children at home, able to get a leave of absence from my job, so I think I'm a pretty good candidate for the dose dense.
Thanks so much for your thoughts.
Lin -
I talked myself out of a ticket...chemo IS good for something!!!
Yesterday, I woke up feeling like a brand new person, so I thought I'd go to Curves and workout. Since chemo started, Curves has only been a morning routine, the day of treatment...a diversion, so to speak. My husband had taken my car to work because it needed gas. So, I was stuck driving his pick-up. Now, this is the pick-up that had been my mode of transportation for 3 years. We've been trying to get it to the shop because we're having a hard time shifting gears (it's a 5-speed). I was leaving my neighborhood, and yes, I intentionally ran a stop sign, because I can hardly get the truck in first gear. I drove on through the neighborhood--well under the speed limit, and all of a sudden a cop was behind me. No worries...I didn't do anything wrong....and then the lights go on.
I pulled my license out, and asked what I did. Then he proceeds to tell me about a stop sign I ran. I'm thinking 'where the hell were you?' Anyway, Towanda took over....I was SO impressed with her. I told the 'nice' officer that the reason why was I was having trouble shifting, and since I was going through chemo, it was even more difficult. Thank goodness, I usually go out with just a baseball cap on...so he could see the lack of hair between the license and my current state. I told him it was just an excuse that he probably didn't hear about. He told me 'did care,' and then reminded me that I shouldn't be driving a car that caused me to do unsafe things while driving. I then explained that my husband took my car because it needed gas.
He only gave me a warning.
I didn't cry...but when I called my husband he almost cried, because he was supposed to take my car the day before to get gas.
I can't believe at 43, I finally have the skills of talking myself out a ticket. It didn't work when I was in college. Ah...the joys of maturity...and chemo!!
So, from my experience, Towanda doesn't have to be a hot-head...she can be the calm one, the reasonable one!
Dana...glad your do good after #1 taxol. Hope that continues.
The weekend is here...yippee...hope everyone has a great one!
R -
Lin, welcome to our group. You didn't mention if you were er/pr neg or Her2 neg. I am a triple negative, Grade 3, aggressive tumor. My onc gave me the choice between dose dense and a 3 week schedule. But, recommended dose dense because it is more effective with my stats. I also found that reading other posts on this site, that most gals like me, do dose dense.
My first treatment was a whammy, and if I had to wait another week to go in for treatment, I would have wanted to quit. Not that I 'didn't' feel like going back two week later...it did make me realize I'd be done sooner.
Hope that helps...
Rebecca -
Hi Ladies! Happy Friday!
Welcome Lin! I am on dose dense. I finished my 4 AC and just had my first of 4 Taxol on Wednesday. In my opinion.... I'm happy to get it over with by doing it every 2 weeks. There have been some really rough days, but I made it through so far!
If your Onc thinks you can do dose dense, I'd try it out. If it doesn't work for you, you can switch to every 3 weeks. I don't think there is any danger in that.
If you have the time to read through our posts from the beginning... you'll see how we've all done on our individual cycles. I know there's a lot of them, but it would give you a good idea about what to expect.
I haven't had any side effects yet from the Taxol. I've had a couple of instances of achiness here and there, but nothing else so far. My chemo nurse said probably this weekend the pain may start but it shouldn't last more than 2-3 days.
I'm thinking I can handle anything since AC. AC made me miserable for about 5-6 days and kept me in bed for most of that time. I'm happy to be done with that!!!! No more feeling completely hungover! Yippeee!!!
Michelle, yep... Decadron will keep you awake... I hated that! I'd feel so awful and be exhausted... but be wide awake! No fun!
Rebecca... WooHoo.. no ticket for you!
Jen... when's your birthday? I must have missed that info.
Reeny... ok, swish and swallow! I'm not sure I can swallow that stuff! Sorry to hear about your hands... I hope they get better very soon!
Kim... very interesting dreams! Drugs can make for some colorful ones, huh?
HUGS to all! -
Rebecca, Dana....Thanks for your speedy replies. I'm ER+/PR-/HER2-. My tumor was 3.1cm and 2/13 nodes were positive. My oncologist never really used the word "aggressive" when refering to my cancer, but did say he thought the dose dense could be appropriate. My husband and I are definitely leaning towards the dose dense. This would allow me to be finished with treatment in time for our only grandchild's first birthday in February. I'm thinking that would be a great goal to strive for! Thanks for your thoughts. Have a relaxing, restful weekend.
Lin -
Junebugs,
Congrats to those of you who finished with AC today!
Mindy,
I feel your pain. My 2nd chemo was delayed due to neutraphils. (1.3) I cried!!!!!!! That is now why I got put on Neulasta. I hope and pray they tell me next week I can get chemo. I too, want this over. You're way ahead of me if that gives you any consolation!
My onc says she only does taxotere not taxol because she feels it has less symptoms of neuropathy (sp). They also told me in chemo school that there is a possiblity of losing fingernails and toenails with taxotere. Hopefully that won't be the case, but I know some of you have talked about it here.
Oh well, the indignity of it all! I'll do anything and put up with anything for this dang bc to go away.
Ta Ta,
Watson -
Hi, Lin, I just replied to you over on the July thread. Welcome to our room!
Brenda -
After three days of calling the DR. about my rash . I got more aggressive (because of my misery index) and went in today. He was baffled as to why I got a rash so many days after my treatment. He was also sympathetic ( it looks really bad). so he gave me steriods to take for a few days.
I feel good that I got the help I needed instead of suffering over the weekend. I wish I had been more assertive earlier. I think I lost my "voice" for a few days.
While in the office I could hear him giving another woman the diagnosis "talk" . I felt for her but was also jealous hearing that her stage was better than mine.
There is a chart of all the stages in the office. I wore it out looking at it . My husband said "no matter how many times you look at it ..it isn't going to change anything". I hadn't realized how blatant I was being in my desire to change my diagnosis by staring.
OH well...
We came home I had a nap and did a quick walk and now I feel more centered.
Oh what I forgot to say is while I was staring at the chart my husband was reading an article about a memorial concert for a friend of our who died of BC in Feb.
So I just got so overwhelmed within the context of diagnosis, treatment and death.......
Once we left I could see signs of life in the parking lot. I could smell the grass and get my bearings again.
Not any easy day. -
JoMac... I did not know that you had lost a friend to this disease. I think that would make it even harder to deal with being diagnosed. I do not know how to convey what I'm feeling about that. I just wanted to say that I'm sure it's hard for you. My heart is full and my throat is tight just thinking about it.
Hang in there! Glad you got some help for your rash!
Oh yeah.... I'm starting to get some more achiness and light throbbing pains here and there. Seems to be mostly my lower back, hip area and arms. (But know that I think of it... I think my toes hurt a little too!) LOL!!!! I'm a little tired and my nose is runny yet again! Took some Tylenol. So far... it's still way better than AC!
Many hugs! -
Hello Ladiies,
Hope you all have had a good Friday. It was a ok day for me. I tried to be a little more productive and washed all the Apple dishes my daughter had bought me. I have my kitchen in apple decor. I put away the dishes I was using,cleaned the cabinet space and put in my new dishes. Just made me feel better to have something new to look at.
My hands are still tender and peeling but I just decided I would use them anyway. You kinda get use to the pain after a while. After all had it for nine days now so I just took a pain bill and used them. I just get so tired of feeling helpless.
Dana I have had more achiness and also a ruuny nose. I have wiped mine so much it is raw. Will just start running at any given time. So annoying! The mircale mouthwash does not taste good especially when you swallow but it does help your mouth. The oncs have been known to give us anything good and tasty far from it,right?
JoMac,glad you went to dr for the rash.Hope you feel lots better soon.
Welcome lin,sorry you have to be here but glad you found the support. I am on dense dose.I have had four a/c's and one taxotere. I have three more to go then rads. I am also 58 yrs old and have made it on dense dose so far. I cannot say if it would have been easier on every three weeks. I just want this part of my life to be over as quickly as possible and onc said I would be fine on dense dose. It's been hard sometimes but I am so thankful I am a little over half-way through with the chemo.
Hope you all have a good weekend.....Maureen -
Hello all- Hope Friday was good to you. I stayed home from work-I'm a nurse and didn't think it would be a good idea to be around anyone sickly today with my counts so low. I do care plans in a nursing home and have an office but we still have a few infectious ones. Besides, my throat hurts really bad. I'm usually not a complainer but I can't even talk without it hurting. The doc looked at it yesterday and made the comment I'm having alot of sinus drainage. Hopefully that's all it is.
Jen- Hope you have a good bithday.
Rebecca- Good for you on that ticket. I was able to get out of one when I was pregnant with my first born. Not been so lucky since.
Lin- Welcome, wish it were under different circumstances. I'm 30 yrs old and had a 2.5cm tumor er/pr/her2+ high nuclear grade. I'm also doing dose dense. It's no fun but you can do it! Just remember to give yourself time to recover each time. I'm kicking myself because my fourth dose just got held due to low neutrophil counts. I think I did too much. Didn't give myself time to recover. Good luck to you whichever way you decide to go.
Dana- Hope all is well with you and your not in too much pain.
Magic mouthwash? What is this I've been reading about? I have a persistant sore and I'm wondering if there is one in my throat too. I've been doing the Milk of Magnesia like NoSurrender said, but it persists. Let me know what it is so I can ask onc.
Just to be clear is DH the abbrev. for dear husband? -
JoMac,
It's funny you brought the 'stage jealousy' thing up. I think everyone feels that, even those who have early stages. I think it's normal.
I'm not sure that we have discussed individual diagnosis on this thread. It could be that everyone did in the beginning, but my chemo brain has not retained the information!
Mine was/is IDC, 2.1 cm, lumpectomy, 1 stinking positive node, which puts me at stage 2.
I'm sooo looking forward to my 3rd AC next week. Even though you guys seem to agree tha #3 is a kick in the pants. I just wanna be done with chemo! Wahhhhhh!
We went to my 6 yr olds school today to see the class lists posted. Of course, there was a mob of mommies having social time to catch up over the summer. I was diagnosed right at the end of the school year so many of these 'acquaintences' had no idea of my bc. I walked up to a few ladies and one said 'Oh, I love your hair' I was so tempted to lift it off and hand it to her, but I settled for the 'oh, didn't you hear..." story. I just hate that look you get, especially in a group. You know what the topic of conversation was when I walked away! lol
School starts next week here, so this was just a dress rehearsal for the big show. *sigh*
Take care! -
Welcome Lin...I just finished with the dense dose A/C. I am 58. They may want to give you a Muga scan before starting treatment...it's a test to see how blood goes through your heart. Glad I did the dense dose...wish I could dense dose the Taxotere too! The sooner I'm done, the better.
As far as stages, I thought I was in an early stage when first diagnosed. I had a mammo/ultra in Sept. 04 that was normal. I felt a lump that I assumed was a cyst in late March of this year and went through the extra testing, biopsy, etc. before being diagnosed on 4/25. Had lymph node involvement, so I figured I was stage 2. Did further research after pathology report...figured I was stage 3 which was confirmed by doctor. Apparently, I have a very aggressive and fast spreading cancer. PET scan showed some spread around the area of my mastectomy so that makes me stage 3C borderline 4. Yes, I do get jealous of those with lower stages, but I get over it. I feel I am getting the best treatment available and that it's going to work for me and I don't plan on dying of anything but old age!
Liz -
Thanks, Dana, Maureen and Watson. I am already less itchy tonight. I hadn't realized how much the rash was reducing my ability to cope.
Maureen you and I are at Taxol # 5. I have #6 this coming Weds.
I want to get this over with.
Yes....I have "diagnosis envy"
That's a condition I never thought I would have. I hope this rash doesn't put everything on hold.
I think by Weds. it won't even be noticable . -
Just passing thru and thought I'd let you all know I'm still reading if not saying anything.
Been contemplating that childhood upbringing saying of
" if you have nothing good to say, then say nothing"
a lot this last treatment, either I'll bite my tongue off or find something good to say about it, am strongly considering not doing the "T" treatment after my rads, would like some opinions on the percentage game of 7-8% benefit of doing it (the 3 months of "T") if anyone has anything to offer?
I always promised myself not to do the percentage game after my mum passed from her cancer cause it left me feeling cheated, but, medical fields don't offer anything else..
thanks
Fi -
Hi Junettes!
Happy Birthday, Saleboat! WAH HOO!!
Sorry to hear about your "monthly friend" as they say. I had mine coincide with my surgery and my first chemo, I know what you mean about the timing!
As far as my facial warmth goes - I've been careful about the sun, and this happened last AC, too, so who knows what is going on. The top of my head felt warm last night but I didn't have a temperature. Around 1am I woke up with a 99.5 temp, so I am convinced my head is some sort of barometer to my inner health...haha!
Bev - Geez, what a crappy phone call you had to deal with! I think my Towanda would want to file a complaint with their main office, but I'm happy to hear your son hung up on them. The nerve!
Did you say you have blisters on your feet? My feet get red, puffy, and are very tender to walk on sometimes, and the onc said it's a rare side effect from the AC. I hope you don't have full on blisters!
Watson - I haven't had rib aches, but my upper spine and muscles are super tender. My little cat walked across my legs last night and it felt like she weighed 100 lbs! I think it's from the Neulasta. However, this is the first time I haven't had shooting pains in my hips.
KimB - they don't really have a recruitment kiosk at DisneyWorld, do they? I've never been to DisneyLand/World, so I'd believe anything, but that just seems so wrong.
Fi - I can relate to wondering about the statistics. I have been wondering about having radiation after all of this chemo, what benefit will I get compared to the risk of tissue damage, etc. (I'll have a 25% chance of recurrance anyway, due to the type of tumor I had.) So, are you having your rads in the middle of the AC and T? Is that more effective?
And everyone else - I love reading your posts. It is so good to come here and read what everyone has been up to! -
I've just stopped by to whine. Please forgive me.
I had A/C #4 on Thursday and, until this time, haven't had any problems. This one knocked me on my butt! But I think the biggest reason is because I started my period the same day. This is my third period since I started chemo! But this is the first time I've had it in conjunction with my treatment.
Thank God (and I do mean thank "God") that my husband happened to come home a day early this weekend and has been here for my crappy weekend.
I know most women stop having their periods during chemo, and mine are getting lighter, but have any of you had the cramping and all that goes with it at the same time? It sucks!!
Okay. I feel better now that I've vented to some people who may actually get it. lol. DH is wonderful about listening to me and rubbing my back, etc., but he still doesn't get it. And he has to go back to PA tomorrow for two weeks. **sigh** I think I'll throw myself a pity party. Anyone want to come?? -
Hey Ladies,
Have had an ok day today. My hands are still peeeling. I hope this goes away by thursday.
Jenster, sorry you are having such a bad time with no.4 a/c. I don't have periods anymore so I cannot relate to how you feel. I can only imagine. Hope you feel better real soon.You can whine to us anytime. Lord knows I whine to yall.
JoMac, we are on the same schedule. You go on Wednesday for treatment and I go on Thursday. Hope your rash is gone by Thursday.Don't worry about stages. We are all going to beat this cancer so let's just try to stay positive. I am certainly not positive all the time and I wonder the same things as you do. I guess we all do it.
Someone ask about the Mircale mouthwash. I know there is benedryl in it but do not know what else. It is good for sore throat or sore in your throat. Onc prescribed for me.
Hope you all have a great week-end...Maureen -
Nancy,
I'm lead to believe there will be no difference at all with change of order, its merely more convenient for me is the only reason. I have to travel a 10 hour round trip to the closest rads facility. If I do it last it will co-incide with Christmas, and that just isn't fair on my 9 year old. As it is I will still be away for his birthday.
Also if I didn't change the order I definitely wouldn't do the "T", I'm just not able to get my head around making myself so ill in order to make myself better. Basically I've had "enough" of this game and don't wanna play anymore.
Fi -
Oh my dear friends....
It is GOOD TO HEAR YOU COMPLAIN!
It is HEALTHY!
I believe the mouthwash has a mix of either Milk of Magnesia or Kaopectate or Maalox, lidocaine ( or an equivalent pain killer), and benadryl. It depends on your area, doc and pharmacist. I have never heard of being able to swallow it though- better check on that one.
Periods on Chemo? Well, you have a decreased ability to clot because of a loss of platletes so your endometrial lining will shed. Cramping can occurr with that. If you are on Decadron that should ease the cramping some. These may NOT be real periods- just the endometrium. It also happens to women on blood thinners. But not everyone goes into meno with chemo. And the meno isn't always permanento...
Stages Stages Stages
Do you know what that was? REALLY? The stage that you were "designated" was the STAGE YOU WERE WHEN THE CANCER WAS IN YOUR BODY. Those of you who had positive lymph nodes that upped their stages- do you still have them or are they in a formulin mixture in some lab someplace? And you with the tumor over 2 cms that elevated YOUR stage? Um- where is that tumor? Still got it? No? Then you WERE stage 1,2,3...WERE- not ARE. And you are going through this crap so YOU STAY THAT WAY! Get it? Huh? All clear? OK? Ok.
Next- RADS
I do not believe there is a person on the face of god's green earth who hated rads more than me. WHY? Because I had a maniac radonc. He believed in the burn-you-to-a-crisp method. They don't do that method in the medical profession. That is why I was burned to a crisp and that maniac is no longer able to practice medicine! It seems he burned too many people.
HOWEVER- and this shows you what a twisted sister I am- I at least know the machine was turned on high!
But seriously- RADIATION offers you a better survival percentage than all the chemos you are doing combined. It is LOCALIZED DIRECT TARGETTED treatment. Think of a big can of Raid.
Are we going to die in five years?- Well considering those flippin stats were figured out 30 years ago and the majority of the women who were "rated" went on to live WAAAAAAAY past the five year mark, I can't tell you how much I hate stats.
You are all snowflakes. Each one of you is different. No two cancers are alike. So Snowflake- remember that the next time you read some stat about the survival rate of people who are at your stage. THEY AREN'T YOU.
Go make your own stats- piss 'em all off!
As for wanting to give it all up Fi? I said that every single solitary time. Eight Chemos and 45 visits to the George Forman Grill. In Sept. it will be 4 years. I had a really bad ass cancer. I am glad I didn't listen to myself every time I wanted to quit.
I also see Ms Towanda has been a tad busy! Good!
I have NOT been able to talk myself out of any tickets since BC (three! I have a fast car) BUT TOWANDA represented me in traffic court and I BEAT EVERY SINGLE ONE!
Happy Birthday to all our birthday girls- I see we had a couple.
Hang in there. It DOES end. I swear! -
No Surrender,
So true about the stage issue. I already find myself saying I 'HAD' this and that. When a lady up at the school asked me if I was cancer free, I even gave them the sassy line "As cancer free as you are!" I read that on this board somewhere.
Fi, you guys are all ahead of me in treatment so I can't pretend to know how you feel. Just know that I'm sending you good vibes. We ALL want this to be over with the best results.
I"ll come to the pity party! But I'm bringing the disco ball and Donna Summer albums in case we decide to have fun! -
Quote:
I"ll come to the pity party! But I'm bringing the disco ball and Donna Summer albums in case we decide to have fun!
Wouldn't want to party any other way!!! LOL!! Do you take your margarita frozen or on the rocks?? -
I'll take my Magarita on the rocks, please!
Thanks for the pep talk NS! You always know how to make us feel better! You da best!
Well... I spent yesterday in bed. Those aches, pains, throbs are really a bummer... but STILL way better than AC! I'm feeling pretty good today. If this was AC, I'd be in bed through Wednesday! I like this much better.
Hope everyone is feeling well today. Just keep pluggin' aling... we'll get to the end of this journey!
Hugs! -
Hi Everyone! Don't think I've been on since Thursday-I love to see how active everyone is in the board. Those vivid dreams-wore myself out last night trying to drive from my son's rehersal dinner in Seattle to the wedding the next day somewhere in Alaska-and my husband wanted to drive and pull the trailer-I finally woke up enough to realize that my daughter had already worn her bridesmaids dress--other than that everything seemed so real--so think it is okay to go to DL or DWorld. I love the idea of a party...and although it would not be easy for any of us I am sure, I would like to consider a party somewhere-sometime! There was discussion earlier....maybe our 5th aniversary or something...and we would have a great time. I had two best friends growing up who I communicate with now once a year, my best friend from college died of MS last fall and now other than 2 people you guys are my friends (or with a coach that maybe should be team). Thanks again for all your support coach. Since I have 6 AC I am now behind some and really appreciate the info on T---I am wondering how the infusion and the day of goes--in my micromanaging I had it all planned that I would be able to do weekly Taxotere and go work that day-is that realistic or not? I have had someone drive me to all the AC but for some reason thought the T infusion would last about an hour and other than aching it would be just an hour out of my week...or maybe that is what I dreamed. I need to set-up office hours for the college this fall (know they would understand if I'm not sure) but thinking that I should know.My onc suggested I take a decongestant for fluid in my ears-I tried for 2 days but seemed like all it did was dry out my mouth-so tried a nasal spray 2 days and it just continued the mouth drying...did get some MOM which is seeming to help and am using the Magic Mouth Wash but think the MOM is helping more.
KimB -
Hi everyone. Just wanted to pop in and whine a little also. I finished my last Taxol two weeks ago and am having my new mixture tomorrow, if everything goes well with my blood work.
I have been feeling very week this weekend. Some back paing but not enough to put me in bed.
I spent 3 days last week helping my mother paint her kitchen. I felt tired but also energized.
JoMac - I sympathize with you on the hot flashes. I have been having them for 6 weeks. It is in the 90's here and then add a hot flash on top! Hopefully it will end with the chemo. I don't know about everyone else, but I have to most intense dreams, inbetween waking up every 2 hours for the hot flashes.
Thanks for all the great information and humor.
Hugs! -
Haven't started T but you describe many of my nights-wake up all the time from either hotflashes or as you describe them-intense dreams....some nights I get up and just sit on the couch cuz it seems like a lot less work than sleep!
KimB -
For those of you who aren't having the easiest of times with chemo...
Tonight Peter Jennings has died of Lung Cancer. In April, he had been ill for a very long time with what they thought was a virus, bronchitis and then pnuemonia. By the time he was diagnosed it was really too late but he was going to try to do what he could to fight this blasted beast.
(for you stat people- put DOWN your calculators- LUNG is totally different from BREAST CANCER- Some forms of LC have a 1% survival rate. It is NOT BC! You are still a snowflake!)
Anyway....
He began his chemo and it was reported by him and spokespeople that he was NOT having an easy time. Some people just don't breeze through it.
Arlen Spector, the Senator from PA had begun HIS chemo for Leukemia the same time. Again- Leukemia (can't spell it) has a TOTALLY different regimine than LUNG.
Senator Spector heard that Jennings was not able to return to the anchor desk and he said to Jennings- "The only way to get through chemo is to keep working"
Now Peter Jennings was a fiesty guy and never took any guff from anyone- especially a man questioning his ability to handle chemotherapy. You would have thought for sure he would have a snappy comeback with a Canadian accent.
Instead, he smiled and softly said " I guess you are just braver than me"
Now- people either loved or hated Jennings. But THAT statement was a GIFT to all people getting chemo. Because it validated what you all are feeling. No- you don't feel like taking a walk or playing tennis or going to the mall... you just want to stay home and sip something that soothes your sore mouths and throats and wait until you are able to come up for air again.
It spoke to every cancer patient because not everyone can work through it. And here you all work AND take care of little ones.
It has nothing to do with "bravery" but it has everything to do with how we are all different. And each chemical works differently in each of our Snowflake bodies.
It was just nice that Peter Jennings last "report" was that some people handle chemo fine and some don't but it doesn't matter and there is no use in quibbling, it is just how it is.
So don't feel bad because you aren't doing as well as another patient. It is all OK. You are ALL getting the same benefit whether you get side effects or not.
And, above all, IT IS OK TO CRAB ABOUT IT AMONG US- YOUR CYBER FAMILY. No happy faces unless it is a REAL happy face.
As the country song goes- "sometimes you're the windshield- sometimes you're the bug"
So JUST KEEP SWIMMING - KEEP SWIMMING- we all reach the end of this and wind up WELL, STRONG, WATERLOGGED and HAPPY.
Love to all of the Junesterettes...
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team