Starting chemo Sept 05

joannar

Thanks for all the welcomes!

I too have the weird taste in my mouth much of the time, I don't know if I would describe it as metalic but, weird. Mostly I just find myself snacking, to get rid of the taste, not because I'm hungry. Food also tastes really bland and I look for the strongest tasting things I can find and still find myself adding salt to everything. I find it difficult to cook for my husband and kids because I can't trust own taste buds. As far as changing my diet, someone gave me the Cancer Lifeline Cookbook and after reading it I have made some changes to my own and my families diets. More Fruits and veggies ect.. I can't help but read it and almost feel guilty that I was eating so unhealthy, that I some how caused the cancer. And then I feel guilty not feeding my family healthy to prevent cancer in them. It's all kind of crazy because we were not eating all that unhealthy in the first place.

As far as the headwear issues, I wish my son thought it was funny to see me bald, like yours Leanne. He's five and just started kidergarten and is very concered that his friends do not see my bald head. If we are getting ready to leave the house and I am wearing a hat he says "you're going to put on your hair, right mom?" I am so much more comfortable in a hat or scarf, both physically and emotionally. When I wear the wig I feel self concious the whole time, like everyone can tell and I'm trying to fool them or something. When I wear a hat or scarf I'm comfortable and I know that people know I have cancer- no deception involved. I just wish my son wouldn't care so much but I don't want to embarrass him. He's fine with seeing me bald around the house. It's a weird problem.

I do the Neulasta shot 24 hours after every treatment (I've had three AC's so far). The amount of bone pain or achyness I've had has progessively gotten worse with each cycle. I don't know if this is normal or typical. Not that I'm saying it horriable pain but I feel an all over soreness. I usually feel it days 3-5. Plus I didn't take Ibupropen. Maybe I should try that next time. Do you take it round the clock for 72 hours? I would be afraid it could mask a fever.

All the BreastsCancer Awareness/pink ribbon stuff is really annoying to me right now too. We were at the mall and my husand was given a pink ribbon at Macy's that he proceeded to pin on me. I took it off within five minutes. I'm not quite sure why, but it really bothered me having it on. I guess it is just like Norrine said "I am Breast cance awareness". I think I'm still too deep in it, maybe with time.

Peggy, I hope the Taxol goes well for you, I've been reading up on it and getting stressed about the eyebrow/eyelash/fingernail issues. Mine are all still fine now. Do you know of anything that can be done to help prevent nail problems? I heard something about Tea Tree Oil and I bought it but I'm not quite sure what to do with it. I'm not sure if it will help prevent anything or if it just helps clear up a fungal infection if you get one. So where on Long Island are you from? I grew up in Setauket and Port Jefferson and now live in Merrick. Just curious, do you go into the city - Memorial Sloan Kettering for treatments? I do.

joannar

I somehow sent that last post before I meant to.
Sorry it was so long but it is nice to have a people, to ramble on to about cancer stuff, that you know are experiencing the same things.

Joanna

jlpd

Joanne...Welcome to the group! I took ibupropen as the nurse told me to...800 mg (4 200 mg tablets) every 8 hours...actually, I took 600 every six to eight hours as it fit my eating schedule better....and I took them for basically three days... I haven't had issues with fever. Actually my temp has been running low. It's funny, they gave me the Neulasta shot because at week two, my combined white count was 500. Hmmm...reading the info on this website makes it sound like the should have put me in the hospital...but I felt okay, considering everything. So I hope my counts go back up and they won't have to give me another. I did feel rather achey days 6 and 7...but again, no fever. So maybe it was the neulasta as I wasn't taking any pain meds at that time.

I know exactly how you feel about the wig. I've been wearing my to work (teach at a community college) and I feel like everyone knows it...I have a feeling that the next go around, I'll switch to scarves or hats as the first week after chemo I really can't stand the feel of my wig on my head. It's a shame...it looks so much better than my real hair! lol!

Well, it seems like it's about my bedtime...one thing I do make sure of is that I hit the hay early...since I get up so early to feed hay to the horses! Later everyone. Janet

AussieMum

I go to "Look Good Feel Better" on 31st August and look forward to it. Unfortunately, am also booked in for an injection and a med onc visit same day, so it will be a loooong day.

AussieMum

I haven't received a bill yet for any of the meds - we are expecting it but not looking forward to it. Normal chemist/pharmacy costs are enough! I hadn't realised Neulasta cost so much! Will pray for high white blood cell counts.

My sister sent some money for some of the chemo - says she didn't think it was fair to have to pay for the pleasure of having poisons pumped into our body and make us feel so awful.

Some medical/surgical humour:
http://www.jwolfe.clara.net/Humour/MedSurg.htm

a few may 'tickle your funny bones', especially in light of some of the 'jokers' I've heard mentioned on this site.

txred9876

Nicole...the neulasta shot is VERY expensive..I had mine donated the first two times then got on state assistance (thank goodness)

I have had increasing bone pain with each treatment...this time it lasted for 6 days...when the first time it was for 2-3 days. when I was in the hospital they gave me a couple of nuepogen shots as well....which made me achy.

Here's to staying out of the hospital!

Tina

AussieMum

As Leanne mentioned, Herceptin has been forwarded to the TGA - Therapeutic Goods Administration - here in Australia. Our Health Minister is still saying it is expensive and that there is a process which must be followed, and he doesn't seem too keen, which is what he's said to me in the past when I've written to him or spoken to him.
But all the news - TV, radio, print - are calling for herceptin to be fast tracked! Let's all hope it happens!
The pharmaceutical sub-committee of the TGA meets in November, and hopefully herceptin will come before ADEC Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (which advises the Minister for Health) in December (otherwise it won't meet till next year).


As an interesting aside, when the New England Journal of Medicine published yesterday, and this hit the headlines, anyone notice the share prices of Genentech in U.S. and Roche in Australia?

Pegk

Thanks for the jokes, AussieMum

Joanna, Great picture!
I grew up in North Bellmore, right next to Merrick. My brother still lives in our old house, so I go back to visit regularly.
I had my surgery in NYC at New York Hosp. on E68th St. but do chemo up here in Middletown.(the difference between a 15 mile drive and a 50 mile drive)
For some reason, I'm very concerned about taxol, too. I started another thread on taxol, to get some imput from those who've been through it. There are some good experiences and some bad. I'll let you know how it works for me. Just another battle in the War on Cancer.

Cheryl, and other Florida residents, Good luck with approaching Wilma! Stay safe!
Peggy

Liezel

Hi all,

First time posting. Started Chemo 23 SEP 4 x CEF, 4 x Taxotere. No side effects, except underlying nausea and a huge appetite,so all the good intentions of "eating right" went out the window. After first chemo I craved sweet things, after 2nd salty things When I was first diagnosed I thought I was going to loose weight! Surprise!!!! To scared to get on the scale these days, but will do so now to check effects of Chemo.

Question - what can I expect from Taxotere?

Glad to hear the good news about Herceptin in Aus! We are still fighting the fight in South Africa. My treatment for 1 year is going to cost US$ 40 000! And my oncology benefit on my medical aid is only $ 26 000! And I still have to have reconstruction! My onc is very vocal and public about getting it approved though!

Have a good weekend!

susan_02143

Morning all....

Welcome Liezel. Sorry you have to be here. Just a quick note to say that Round 4, day 3 is here, and I am doing so much better than the last round. You know, I think it is all mental: Since I know I never have to do this again, everything is so much more tolerable.

Some out of town cousins are arriving this afternoon, so I am busy preparing quiches for lunch. I got 8 hours of sleep last night!!! [First time in months.] We had our first frost this morning and the sun is sparkling against the crystals.

Find myself worried about some of our September Sisters who are MIA like Monkey9Lives [cheryl] and Hopeful and some others. I actually made a list of them last night [isn't Decadron an amazing thing] and will try to PM them today. I certainly hope that they are all doing well.

Take care all,

*susan*
a decadron-inspired posting

tinkermax

Welcome to the new ladies.

Sandra
Im so sorry you are having trouble with port/veins/blood.. it doesn't seem fair does it.

I will also be having treatment 3 on Tuesday, good luck with yours.

Liezel
I am also on FEC and agree with the increased appetite.. I am eating all the time, I was hoping to put on some weight, no luck as yet, my weight has stayed the same.

Have a good weekend ladies

Maxine

nmherr

Hi Tina
I had a bilat masc and it too was a breeze. I was soon up and out and back to washing my dishes the next day. My woman surgeon said if she ever needed a masc she would elect to have them both taken as it is easier to cope with after the surgery. The worst part for me was the drains they leave in as they are just bothersome but not painful.

nmherr

I hope I can remember all the ladies I want to reply to about questions and concerns.
Janet,
Speak up about having your blood drawn. I would just tell them you need preserve your viens for chemo treatment so please let someone who can get it in one stick. Also drink lots of water before you go as it fluffs up your veins.

Nichole,
I too crave salt and sugar to counteract the yuck taste. However the salt did a lot of damage to my esophagus and stomach and was causing me pain. So now I eat bland to survive and eat good right before my next treatment.
As for your port, don't let anyone who doesn't know how to deal with it, mess with it. One 'blood' nurse scratched mine and the onc nurse got serious and wanted to know who did it.
And I think it was you who is taking the Neulasta home and keeping it in the fridge. Warm it in your hands for 10 minutes before you inject yourself or it will hurt.

Joanne,
I had to laugh about the Tea Tree Oil. I just got some. For my horse. She has rain rot wich is a fungal infection and it was highly recommended. It is gentle and clears up the infection quickly by softening up the scabs. I think if I need it, I will get my own bottle.

Well I have taken to driving around town bald. I am protesting Cancer awareness cute stuff. I am wearing pink earrings and smiling at all those staring. Men pretend they aren't looking so I try to catch them and smile at them. I almost wiped out some little amish kids on their scooters when they went pass the house and saw me. Now if you don't know fearless amish kids and scooters they aren't cute toys but go very very fast downhill and have brakes.
One of the problems I have had this week are vaginal bleeding. I called the nurse and told her what was happening and she thinks that the lining is very sensitive and that I have a tear. I think the problem is I went on an antibiotic which gave me a yeast infection then I put up Monastat to correct that and finally ended up tearing the lining. My comment to her was it reminded me of mouth sensitivity and sores and she said yes exactly. Probably not two places you want to compare but I did.She said to wait a week to see if it closes up.

nmherr

Susan,
I too was thinking of the Sept MIAs. Please let us know if you hear anything. Or if any of you are reading but not writing just put in a note to let us know how you are.

lisag

Susan,
So sorry this IV treatment didn't go so well! I have heard about how hard the AC can be on veins. Have a port that at first seemed strange but has worked well, my oncologist noted I have crummy veins. How is the yeast treament working out? I know with kids at least it thrives in warmer moister areas so air circulation helps.
Caught a cold this week that I can't seem to shake , no fever so on with my last AC yesterday. My white cells and hematocrit dropped again so today I get neulasta and for the first time aranesp-anyone had that yet?
Rest up Susan and I'm thinking of you
Lisa

lisag

Joanne,
welcome and sorry you have to be here, too. I too get this weird food craving for salty stuff, after my first AC I called the nurse because I was alarmed about eating a whole bag of bbq potato chips and half a jar of olives for lunch. She said "hmm I never heard of the olives before". I think the salt craving is because the chemo is very dehydrating and the decadron does weird stuff to your fluid balances. Now I want salty chicken soup the days after. I also think it's normal to have all these feelings about "what did I eat to cause this" and I want to tell you to let go of any guilt about that. Right after I was diagnosed I looked at all food with horror, and we eat mostly organic produce and primarily vegetarian meals for years. I just couldn't believe I had put something unintentionally carcinogenic in my body. Getting through treament is hard enough and I think listening to your body cravings at this time is a good thing.
One of the reasons the "pink ribbon" stuff bugs me is because it seems to focus on telling people it's personal responsibility to prevent this (and since when is a mammogram "prevention"-my films were normal the day I was diagnosed) and if we all go shopping we'll get better. Would like to see the money spent figuring out what we are dumping into our environment that is creating the increase in BC. We didn't cause our cancer because we don't handle stress well or eat enough broccoli. Ok I'll get off my soapbox, but I say this is a public health issue that all the memberships to curves isn't going to fix. Also my 69 yr old mother was diagnosed three weeks after me so go figure.
As for baldness and kids, I think it takes some time...my 9 yr old daughter wants me to come to show and tell time so she can demonstrate her scarf tying skills. She was initially pretty intimidated. Last week a friend gave me a facial and makeover at a spa from a cancer survivor and my daughter went and wanted to learn how to cover up the dark eye circles!
Neulasta costs are crazy and I too get the aches-mostly only for about a day or two. I tried advil but also didn't want to mask a potential fever. Now I take hot baths and use a heating pad and it seems to get me through the worst.
Speaking of the costs, the insurance manager at the clinic showed me her process yesterday and mentioned that radiation would be about 50k. After the surgery and chemo, I'm astounded at how uninsured folks could get through this. We need more equity now but that is a soapbox for another day..
sorry for my long posting, also undoubtably decadron inspired, now on to cleaning the garage
Lisa

cazza61

hi all and welcome new ladies
11 days after #3 and im finally feeling normal except for the tongue feeling very sensetive to food .with the yeast thing below I was told to drink cranberry juice because its a natural antibiotic and clears up yeast infectonsand too drink it the for the whole of treatment to prevent it.
Hate my head being bald cant seem to feel comfatable in anything I wear up there decided im going to let it go free same as my wig i tried it on then took it off stomped on it a few times partner told me to stop killing it so I threw it out the door to free it,it didnt run it just layed there I think I killed it.
The taste thing with food is a bit hard nothing taste like it should it has to have a really strong taste for it too do anygood.
hope evryone is doing ok
love carol

Calico

Hi Ladies,

welcome all new friends to this site.

I keep reading and thinking about you all but not responding, sorry. I am totally feeling down, being afraid to ask for my result of the PET scan. Can't sleep either.
Nausea is with me most of the time but it might be because my red blood count is down (got the shot, should get better).

Chemo # 3 is on Tuesday and I am fretting about that too.
Reading about leucemia makes me sick. I am sick of myself as well because I am whining.
I have an appt. with my onc on Monday before chemo and should find out about the PET.
I still have hair (buzzed) on top of my head and I swear it is growing even though the sides are patchy and even the pubic hair diminished by 50 %.
Can it be that the hair is still growing? It's been almost 4 weeks, 2 treatments, since I started chemo. Wonder if last time was less potent???
Sorry for rambling, hope you all do great!!! I'll keep you in my prayers!

God Bless

txred9876

Lisa,

I was forced to stop working ( I am a self employed real estate agent) due to medical reasons and to get some help. I am now on medicaid but it only covers 3 of my prescriptions a month (i have like 6....) I am in no way complaining but I am looking at finishing chemo in nov....surgery dec or jan....taxol/taxetene ,....maybe rads....plus a year of herceptin. I am sure duing that time I would feel up to working some of the time but if I do then I cannot afford the treatment...

Being uninsured really sucks and is often a catch 22 situation...

Before I got the medicaid this month I spent about 10,000 out of pocket on medical to get diagnosed and have another 25,000+ outstanding medical bills. The local Susan G. Komen foundatation paid about 1000 of bills.....not much of a dent but better then nothing.

Up until I was a realtor I always had health insurance. Last year when I got laid off I got my real estate license....Now I wished I would have had some kind of policy but being a new realtor times are feast or famine....

anyway...enough rambling...

I think I have stopped losing my hair for the most part....for whatever reason I still have hair on my arms....and some on my head....most of the rest of it is GONE....

Sure do not miss shaving the legs..LOL

Tina

leannem

Oh Carol I had to laugh at you "killing" your wig after attempting to set it free. It really is a love hate relationship with those isn't it? I have only worn mine the once convinced everyone knows I am "fake" so let it all hang out when at home and try to remember a scarf or something for when out and about. Anyone else sometimes forget they are bald??

Lisa, I enjoyed reading your "soapbox" post. It was all too true!! BC Awareness is a great thing but as you say, I would so much rather know what is going on with these increased rates. Interesting you mentioned diet and broccoli- things I have been told to do to help "cure' myself. I have felt so guilty with what I have been eating for years (not organic, eat meat, etc) and wondering what I have done to cause it etc and at the end of the day I just try to remember stuff happens! Often for no reason. As my onc said - I have led a "blameless life" yet here I am.

I can't get over the amounts of money you guys are talking about for accessing treatment especially in the US. It is just outrageous. What happens if you don't have private insurance and you can't afford it?? Do you just miss out?? seems so unbelievable.

I am off to a fundraising luncheon today that a friend has organised. It is only small but should be a fun ladies day out.

Must go get ready and organise kids!

xoxo

prayer

Hi all feeling very disappointed right now because they would not give me my third treatment today. Said my white blood cells were to low. Anyone else have this problem. I have had the neulasta shot but apparently that was not enough. Anyone have any ideas to raise white cell counts, or have any experience with this. I have a new appointment for monday hoping that my counts are high enough for them to treat me. Can they come up that quickly? The crazy thing is that I feel completely normal and my whole family is sick with a cough and cold but I am the only one who doesn't have it. Go figure.

jewelz

Howdy ladies... I haven't been on the boards lately and, when I came back from my little vacation (a cruise!), this thread had gone from 14 to 27 pages!! Wow!

This BC Awareness month has been bugging me, too. It's everywhere I turn, there's no getting away from it. BTW, have you checked out
http://www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org/ ? It's a project of Breast Cancer Action. I really like this group because they're not afraid to question and get PO'd.

Soapbox #2: I cannot believe that the drug companies spend so much on advertising and further drive up the cost of our necessary meds. Like Neulasta. Seems like every evening I see the FULL MINUTE of advertising for Neulasta at least twice!! My insurance was billed $6300 for each injection so I was amazed to read that some of y'all have been seeing even higher bills. I'm curious if they are allowed to do this in Australia and South Africa (or any other countries)...

I'm a little over 2/3 done with my radiation and 1 month out of 12 for Xeloda. Had to get an Aranesp shot due to anemia. And now my back is killing me in addition to the general aches that have come with the chemo/radiation combo. Thank goodness for the Oxycontin -- it's the only pain med that helps and I'm able to take just a small amount and it's effective and doesn't make me constipated. :-)

best wishes to you all,
jewelz

marg1

Hello Everyone, MIA Marg Here. I am doing okay, just been really busy working and doing all the other mom stuff. I do read the post 2-3x a week. Trying really hard not to eat EVERYTHING in site. I am Mexican-- oh sorry Hispanic and live in South Texas -- imagine all my taco possiblities!!!!!!!!!!! I am forcing water down my throat. I was told to hydrate my body prior to chemo and chew ice chips during the chemo and so far no mouth sores for me (oh yeah the constant rinsing my mouth with baking soda and water). The only sore I will probably get in my mouth will be from biting on a tostada chip. My period finally came to an end. I thought I was going to bleed to death!!!! I will be leaving to MD Anderson Houston on Sunday for my 3rd AC tx. Hate the 5 hour drive but small price to pay to be treated there. My boobs are coming along. I have cleavage now --- I was a 38DD so having cleavage again is good. I told my PS I wanted a full C cup. Enough with the big tits!!!!! My incisions look good too. I apply Shea Butter from Bath and Body to them everyday. I am still bald after the shaving party with the exception of a few razor stubble here and there. No pit hair, few pub hair and hairy legs. Had to shave those today when I wore my capri pants to work. This of course after I was already in the car on my way to work (late) and noticed that they were pretty bad. Freaking out about Taxol and Herceptin next month. The eyebrow-eyelash-nail thing has got me a liite worried. Peggy I look forward to chating with you on that thread. Fighting Insomnia with Benadryl. Fighting fear with Prayer. Hope all the other MIA's post. Marg



PS -- Soooooooo excited about the Herceptin news in Austrilia -- I worry about you guys. Hope they get their stuff together soon.

sholroyd

Hi all

Joanna, same op date as me then – I had right mastectomy and 21 lymph nodes – the op date was my hubby’s birthday – he decided to postpone his birthday!

Hey Norine I like the idea of the painted pink ribbon on the back of one’s head – I have still not summoned the courage to even show my hubby my bald head yet. You know I get fed up of people who try to discreetly look at the ‘animal’ on my head but don’t say anything – I do of course!

Susan, not a good time - but you can see the light now. I am dreading Tuesday as with one manky arm from op and the other from thrombosis I dread to think where they are going to stick me seeing as I have no longer got the Hickman line.

Maxine, speak to you on Wednesday maybe to compare notes then?! Calico, why not join us – you are treatment 3 on Tuesday I think?

Hi Liezel – looking forward to talking and sharing with you.

Talking of diets. I have heard that some people go ‘non dairy’ – do we think this will help our chances??

Tina – I have got hairy arms (blond luckily) and they are still hairy??

Carol, you are so cruel – but you gave me a good giggle!

Gifts: I have purchased a ‘good’ Christmas cake and I am saving this to take into the nurses to share over the festive period.

I don’t think we have the Nuelasta shot over here?? Just remind me again what it is please.

I have not got round to posting to the Bald site and have now forgotten how to do it. I think I should email someone to ask for a log-in? Also I would like to put my piccie up next to my name here – probably with hair though – how do I do this please?

I had booked in for Reiki at my local cancer back-up centre – of course I had to cancel it cos my daily hospital visit for the thrombosis coincided – grhhhh.

Thanks for the link Aussiemum – laughter is the best medicine

I am spending most of my free time (which is not a lot with being at the hospital every day) putting together a ‘life album’ for my son’s 21st (3/11/05). I think he will like it but it is time consuming. Joanna my son can’t cope with my baldie look and he’s 21!! In fact out of all my children (2 girls 23 & 25 also) I have found my ‘tough’ Marine son has found it the most difficult to cope with mum’s condition.

Thoughts to you all – enjoy your Sunday.

Sandra from the UK

susan_02143

Afternoon all. Here I am Day 4 of this final round, and I am sleeping and sleeping and sleeping. A little more nausea than previous rounds too, but I keep looking to Tuesday when this should be behind me!

I have not had the energy to PM our missing Sisters, but it is still on the to-do list. My concentration is shot as well. Though I have read the posts above, I can't tell you what they said! I promise to re-read before long, and respond.

I do recall one recurring theme. This idea that we caused our own cancer by eating. Phooeeewww! Sorry, I am not buying into this. If the foods that we eat are causing this cancer, then this is a problem with our entire agri-business, not because we made decent and healthy food to eat. My family has always eaten a well-balanced, and healthy diet, and I have taken great joy in the integration of food into our lives.

I know what my risk factors were. I know that I carry a few too many pounds, but the fact of the matter is, my biggest risk factor is being a woman.

In my lifetime [I am 47] we have gone from one in 12, to one in 7 women being diagnosed. This isn't about food. This is about something much bigger. Sorry about the soapbox, but this idea that we deserve and caused this to happen to ourselves is just such a female concept. No. None of deserve to be sick, and we all did the best we could with our resources. And for some random reason, our number got called.

And Sandra, I am so sorry that your time of this has been so difficult. Being in the hospital so much is so very hard. Be careful with that book. My Mom made me one, and I started to want to have a baby!

take care..... all of you.

*susan*
a decadron-inspired posting

Pegk

Why did we get cancer?
Why did I get cancer? No family history, but reading risk factors I'm a textbook case for estrogen affected cells. I got my period early (age 11) and was still very reguler when diagnosed at age 53. I had my children in my mid 30's but breastfed both for 2 years each. (a cousin who is a leader in La Leche League was distraught when I was diagnosed-"It's not supposed to happen when you breast feed!")Maybe I should have started having babies in my 20's. If I'd only known!
But many childless women don't get BC.
Ironically, when I was diagnosed I had never felt better. I had just lost about 20 lbs. in preparation for a trip I was planning with my younger sisters. (I didn't want to be the oldest and the fattest) I was pretty full of myself, thinking Wow! I don't have any of the problems that others of my age seem to have-my blood pressure, cholesterol were good. I never got sick. My 1 cold a year would last maybe 2 days. I thought I must have a great immune system.
I've heard that irreguler cells happen all the time and a good immune system can keep them at bay.
So, now I have cancer and the treatments make me feel as sick as I've ever felt in my life.
Susan is right. My number got called. Now if it would only work for the lottery.
Peggy

Pegk

Sandra,
The Nuelasta shot is given 24 hours after dose dense chemo (every 2 weeks as opposed to every 3 weeks)to boost the immune system. It works in the bone marrow which is why some people get bone pain after the shot.
I bumped up the bald picture site thread. Send a PM to Timtam for instructions.
Go to your "My Home" here for instuctions on posting an avatar.
I eventually want to post a "balder" picture. My GI Jane look is posted on the bald picture site, but I'm definitely balder (more bald?) since then. I should take another picture soon, while I still have eyelashes and eyebrows!
I hope everyone is having a good weekend.
Love Peggy

txred9876

Prayer...did they give you a Neupogen shot? When I was in the hospital earlier this month they let my own body try to recover from the low counts....mine got down to .7! Very scary stuff. After 2 days of my body only getting it to 2 they gave me the shot and within 24 hours I was back up to normal levels.

As for all this talk about diet...lifestyle ect causing cancer...hmmmmm could it be all the crap they put in our food...the polution in our water...I think it is much bigger then any one "thing" we could have done to prevent this. I mean...I am 35...no family history..had my girls at age 20 and 22....breast fed both....yet got the most aggressive,rare and lethal form of BC....does not seem fair...but ya get what you get out of life...and you can do one of two things...deal with it and make it the best you can....or give up.

I have and never will be one to give up!

Tina

cazza61

Why did we get cancer?
Why do children get cancer?
Why did I get cancer?
These are all questions that ppl that have cancer ask them selves all the time and even ppl who dont have cancer but have been affected by it some way or another.
Theres not 1 answer to our questions,we can blame the food,we can blame genetics,we can blame it on being a woman.Society today is to blame,not the stress,not the fast food addictions not the over weight,its the fact that they can find cancers more easily and try to kick them in the butt before they get hold of our bodies.More ppl are getting tested for cancer every day because society has made us more aware of the risks of cancer,we get tested earlier then we did 50 yrs ago,back then there wasnt as advanced tests for cancer and ppl died, no statistics to show what sort of cancer they had or how many ppl actually had that particular cancer .Then theres still the fear of cancer,society automatically think its a death sentence oh I have got cancer Im going to die,he or she has cancer they are going to die,its very frightening to us and the ppl that are close and not so close we still need educating on cancer even in this day age with all the tests and all the medications and operations that they can preform now can u imagine what it going to be like in another 50 yrs,what they will be able to do to help cancer patients,its mind boggling at how much we have came in 50 yrs.
I dont blame anything on my BC
I have it
Im going to deal with it the best way that I can
I know that the treatment that I am having is going to stop it from going any further.
I know that cancer is not a death sentence.
I know that as a person that this wil make me stronger and enjoy what ever time I have left on this earth,wether it be 1 mth or another 50 yrs from now I am going to enjoy it and enjoy my family and friends ,because I am strong enough to over come what ever society throws in front of me.

leannem

Wow guys what awesome responses to my musings about diet and "blameless lifestyles" and cancer. I love the comments from you all and it has helped me put things more into perspective. I tend to think alot and subscribe on and off to the "got to find a reason why" way of thinking. Mostly i am positive but when I am tired and coming up to another chemo round it seems all overwhelming again.

I too have been told repeatedly about the evils of dairy and am still undecided about that one. I think there is something to be taken from the healthier eating school but I'm not sure what! I figure what ever stays down at this stage of the game!

I am so damn tired at the moment I feel sick. The boys have been up and down at night so I have been averaging 5 hours a night 3 days out from round number 3. Ugh. I feel rundown and like I am getting a cold not to mention I think I am getting conjunctivitis. Yuck! Fingers crossed I am okay for Wednesday.

Must go and feed the tribe!

xo