anyone starting chemo in Nov 2005

Nancy-SanDiego

Hello all. Debbie and Margerie, we'll all be thinking about you this week. Odalys, what is Femera and Zoladex for? How long will you get the shots? Side effects? Are you sure they are not giving you rabies shots?

Love all the darling pictures of all of you and the cats. Anna, I saw the first photo and thought, OMG how can her hair be this long when I look like an old, grizzled man (but now have great eyebrows and the beginning of lashes). The rads are exhausing, aren't they. Feel like a wind-up alarm clock that just stops without warning and need a nap to rewind. Chemo brain experience: Standing in front of the deli case and ordering 1/2 lb. vanilla (instead of white American cheese). Clerk said "Excuse me?" and I'm thinking "Who said that?" Oh well, maybe I should switch to a stronger cheese until my mind returns.

Summer is really here. My grandson's kinder graduation is tomorrow, so big doings. Granddaughter (14) is coming in a few weeks and have been trying to think of what we will do. She is on the cusp between childhood and young womanhood, so planning on Disneyland (maybe that's really for me); manicure/pedicure, teahouse that provides great hats, bead and birdhouse project and lots of naps (now that one really is for me). Any other suggestions?

I'm off for now. Ron is flying today (remote control) and I'm taking my grandson out to the field, followed by CARS. By the way, last night we saw the Anniston/Vaugh Break Up Movie and you'll be glad to know that when it comes to irresistable sex appeal, we were trend setters a long time ago with our "Telly Savalas" privates. LOL

Nancy

Mary-Lou

This is a few of the pictures from the reception over the week end.
(I cooked over 15 lbs of chicken ) I also made the centerpieces for the cake table and the tables we ate at.

I planed the whole table where the cake was and decorated it. Boy what a job.

The brides dress was gorgeous. Look at the back , and all in satin. She is very tiny, maybe size 1 if that.

My prayers are with Debby and Marg , hope all goes well for you.
I'm on the home stretch of rads. It's been a long journey .

Love to my sisterhood

This was for Michael's niece. First grandchild to be married for his parents. They were married in Jamaica. We got to watch the ceremony on CD, It was just like the show wedding story. Just beautiful.





I didn't mean to get my car into the picture. Need to crop that one. lol






Last picture is me with more hair. Taken on Friday.

AnnaM

Mary Lou, you look great!

Debbie: good luck on your surgery this week.

Had another Herceptin today.

No, Nancy, my hair is not that long, that picture is from just before my diagnosis. I'm working on getting a current photo on here. (Need to take the photo first.)

Love to all,

Anna

Mary-Lou

Sending love to you all, Debby hope all goes well.

Margerie

Ladies,

You all look great!!

Thinking of you Deb. Good luck on Thursday. It's almost over!

Just hanging out with the kids this week. Herceptin tommorrow and then the park and a picnic.

Have a great week everyone.

kim825

Hey everyone,
Hope you all are having a great week. Had rad. #19 today. I am pretty red in the collarbone area. They gave me the cream and I have been putting it on heavily. Next week I seen med. onc. and we will talk about what he learned in Atlanta last week. Hopefully something good. I called a surgeon out of Sloan in NYC. They will see me after rad is over. I am hoping and praying that this mass will finally be out of my body.
Kids are out of school. They are already bored, LOL!!
Debbie, we are thinking and praying for you.
ML- I have about as much hair as you do, but mine is coming in very slowly in the front. I am not ready to go topless, soon maybe soon.

LAT56

Debbie - You are in my thoughts & prayers!

Nancy - I loved the "chemo brain" story. I have had many chemo moments!! I am definitely not the same person I was before treatment. Chemo has taken a huge toll on my thought process & memory.

I love seeing everyone's photos!! I am wishing my hair would start growing. I've got just a little bit of stubble but I've put my wig away & now go topless.

Our local Relay is this weekend. I am looking forward to participating in that.

Wishing everyone a good week!!
LAT56

Odalys

Hi friends,
Hair update...I just colored it and it looks real natural. I decided no more wig for me. I can't stand the heat and humidity anymore. I am ready to go topless!!!!!!!! I hope my co-workers and students won’t be too shocked. I will post a pic soon.

Nancy - no, no rabies shot for me. Just a Zoladex shot to shut down my ovaries. I am ER/PR + and will be taking Femara for 5 years to prevent the beast from returning. The best analogy I can think of...similar to when you have a flood at home, the first step is to shut the water valve and then clean up the mess - something like that. I plan to have my ovaries removed (oophorectomy) later but first need to remove the port plus want to give my body a rest for now. As for the chemo brain, it tends to linger. Some days I feel like I can't make a coherent sentence and I finished chemo on March 3rd.

Mary Lou – you look great, beautiful pictures. Good job on the decorations.

Margerie – Good luck with the Herceptin treatment tomorrow. Hope you have a good time with the kids they are such beautiful angels.

Kim – Hang in there, you are half way there with rads. I hope your onc will give you some good news and take out the mass soon. You are a true fighter – God Bless you!

Lat56 – Have a great time at the Relay this weekend.

Debbie – You are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted. I am really looking forward to receiving the package.

It's late, have to go to sleep. Need a lot of rest tonight since I am scheduled to work until 8 pm tomorrow. Love and hugs to everyone.

AnnaM

I am praying for our Debbie. I hope everything goes really well and that we hear from her soon.

I wonder how Kaye is doing?

Nancy, I know what you mean about getting words mixed up. I can say the strangest things....

Odalys, what color did you color your hair? Mine looks a little darker blonde than it used to be, but I think that might be because it's so shhhhorrrrttt!

Mary Lou, you are so talented! That was a beautiful table. And you look like you feel better. How is the neuropathy? Any progress? I still have an occasional tingle, but can't complain.

Margerie, are you and I the only ones doing Herceptin? Are you getting treatments every week? Nancy, aren't you doing Herceptin too? My oncologist told me I can have a one-month hiatus in the fall, so we're thinking of a trip. My hub has been invited to give a talk in Japan and he wants me to consider that, but it's kind of scary to imagine going so far away after being tethered here in Northern Virginia for so long now. Also, how would I communicate? I couldn't even read the signs.... I am a little interested because boy do those Japanese women know how to quilt!

Dreaming.....

Hugs to all my sisters.

Anna

Margerie

Anna,

I am doing the big dose of herceptin every 3 weeks. I have no port, so weekly would have been too much. I finish 1 year mid-Jan. But will be waiting to see the 1 year vs. 2 year results, maybe coming in Dec. I'll go for 2 years if any proven benefit! Then who knows, maybe Tykerb will pan out for early-stage women.

I have a big slice of hope for a cure for ALL of us in the next few years!

Margerie

Oh and Anna- GO FOR IT!! Japan would be a wonderful experience!

And many japanese people speak english!

Nancy-SanDiego

Hello ladies. Debbie, here is one more wish that tomorrow is very successful and not too uncomfortable.

Odalys, thanks for the tutorial on Zoladex. I am on Arimidex for 5 years which also dries up every drop of Estrogen. I asked my doctor yesterday if that meant that I would be totally non-sexual, dried up prune with hair on my face. She said "its only for 5 years." Not quite the answer I was seeking. She also said that my echo showed the beginning of cardiomyopathy, probably the result of Herceptin. Will see a cardiologist tomorrow. Hope I don't have to quit Herceptin--I think of it as a silver bullet against reoccurence. Anyone else bothered by heart problems? Odalys, tell me more about dyeing your hair--did you use any special product? Did your scalp turn a different color?

Anna, I too think about Kaye and hope she is finding pleasure and peace in the Arizona spring.

Anna, I love the idea of your adventure to the Far East. I was hoping we could all have a reunion at your home in France--maybe next year.

Weddings, runs, graduations, trips - - - ah life is good.

Nancy

Odalys

Debbie,
I am praying for you today. May God be with you and your family and may He guide the surgical team for a successful surgery. Love and hugs.

AnnaM

Margerie, that means we will be on Herceptin through next January together. Nancy, it sounds like you will, too.

I had a MUGA before chemo and a second one just three weeks ago. It was okay. I had to BEG my oncologist for that one, she said she doesn't think scans are useful, and that I would present symptoms if anything was amiss. So I don't know when I will get my next scan. On the HER2 girls thread I read about women getting scans every three months, and sometimes their EF lowers and they have to stop treatment for a while.

Anyway....

Thinking of Debbie.

Anna

kim825

Thinking and praying for you Debbie. Hope we hear news soon!!!

Kim

Margerie

Debbie- hang in there!! I hope you are resting comfortably and not trying to do/talk/type too much! I bet it is a huge relief to have the surgery behind you. If I think about what you/we/all of us are going thru- my eyes get watery. I am such a baby!



I had an echo in November and then one last month. The miracle is after dose dense adriamycin, herceptin and radiation to the left chest wall- my ejection fraction is still 70, which I guess is pretty good. I think my onc said he will check it every 4 months I am on herceptin.

Mary-Lou

Hugs to you Debby. Hope all of you all are good tonight. I just wanted to let you all know, I'm finished with RADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today was my last boost.

I look forward to going away in July for our anniversary. Just can't wait to do something normal. We are thinking of North Carolina. Not really sure. Depends on the weather that week, and how tired I feel.

My doctor said I would feel a lot better a month from now. Sure hope so. Just glad I don't have to go to the center till 7/11 for a follow up and port flush.

I will find out how soon I can have my reconstruction done. That's the part I so look forward to.

Well, I'm ready to hit the sack again We have another busy week end coming. My girlfriend is stopping by on her way back to NOVA. I will be seeing her grand son for the first time. Love to you all.

Nancy-SanDiego

Debbie, when you read this it means the surgery is over and you're on your way to recovery. Congrats Mary Lou, it sounds heavenly to be DONE and thinking about vacation. My kids live outside Raleigh-Durham and I'm in love with NC, especially up around Ashville. Enjoy.

I'm really bummed tonight. On Tuesday, I saw my family practitioner for my annual physical (my physical last June started this strange journey). Anyway, she asked which cardiologist was taking care of me and when I didn't know what she was talking about, said "your last echo shows definite signs of cardiomyopathy." January's was fine but this one isn't, so she arranged for me to see a cardiologist today who said it was cardiomyopathy and wants me to see a collegue who specializes in cardiomyopathy tomorrow and have a nuclear stress test tomorrow. She also put me on 2 meds to lower bp (its already low at 117/77 but she wants it at 90/60) and to slow a leaky valve. How scary is this? My onc is on vacation for 3 weeks. I'm mad at myself that I didn't call right after the echo to make sure it was OK and I'm made at her for not looking at it and calling me. For now, just trying to make through tonight without getting too crazy. As the cardio said today "like cancer, with cardiomyopathy, you learn to take it one day at a time." As you all pray for Debbie tonight, could you add a postscript.

Nancy

Anonymous

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick note to update you all on Debbie's condition. She went into surgery about an hour and a half later than scheduled but thankfully the surgery did not take the estimated six to seven hours. Both the cancer surgeon and the plastic surgeon were very pleased with how the surgery went. Debbie is in a private room so Daniel can visit without disrupting other patients. She is in a lot of pain still and they are working on managing it for her right now. The Lord saw us through another step on this cancer journey and what he has done for us during it has been amazing. We thank everyone for their prayers and support.

Debbie is at Methodist Medical Center in Room C614. The direct room phone number is 309-677-7847.

God's Blessings,

Greg, Debbie, & Daniel

kim825

Thank you so much for updating us on Debbie. Tell her we love her and are thinking of her.

Nancy, I am sorry about the echo. The doctor should have called you when she saw something on the echo. Lots of hugs for you.

ML, yeah on the rads. I can't wait for the last day. The area near my collor bone is really red and sore. The breast area is ok though. I have about 15 more treatments. Will it ever end.

Hope you all have a great weekend and wish all the daddies a Happy Father's Day.

Kim

AnnaM

Nancy: I am so sorry to hear you are once again in that terrifying waiting place! I don't want you there. Please read the HER2girls thread; so many women whose EF bottomed out (which indicates cardiomyopathy) found everything reversed itself after they went off Herceptin for a while. I am praying that will be the case for you, too. I agree, it would have been a good thing for your oncologist to look at those results as soon as they came in. Surely someone is covering for her during her absence?

Great news about Debbie! I can't wait to hear from her.

Congratulations, Mary Lou! What kind of reconstruction are you going in for?

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Anna

Odalys

Just checking in to say hi and wish everyone a happy father's day weekend.

Debbie - you're in my thoughts and prayers, hope you're feeling better and stronger with each passing day.

Nancy - I feel for you and don't think you are to blame. The GP should have called you right away. Please be gentle with yourself. My prayers are with you too.

MaryLou - Congrats on finishing rads. How is your skin now?

Kim - Are the kids keeping you busy? Steven is in day summer camp and he is having a good time. They keep him busy and when I pick him up after work he is ready to come home and relax for the remainder of the evening. Yeah!!!

Margerie - Good luck on your MRI and Scan. Just a few more days 'til your surgery. Hope all goes well and you get B9 results. I am also adding you to my prayers. keep us posted.

Love you all. Hugs.....

Anonymous

Hello Everyone,

The Lord continues to place his healing hand on Debbie and she was released from the hospital on Saturday evening. She is recouperating well and is tolerating the pain as well as to be expected. We will have some help with a Home Health Nurse that our insurance is providing. Debbie was just glad to be back home and be around Daniel. With help from some friends she was able to read Daniel a story last night which they both had missed. We are so thankful for all the cards, flowers, meals, help, and of course prayers that we have received. Please keep us in your prayers for the results of the pathology report that was done on the cancerous tissue. We are praying that the chemo got all of it and there were no cells left. We should be finding out some time this week. We will keep you updated as much as possible.

God's Blessings,

Greg, Debbie, & Daniel

Margerie

Wishing for great results for Deb. Kim- oohh I remember my collarbone. It got pretty fried and the tissue broke down after #20. I put on this Rx steroid cream my rad onc gave me and mixed it with neosporin pain cream. Also make sure it stays covered in the sun! A rash guard is a great way to cover up if you want to swim.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers Odalys. My onc does not believe in pretx scans, so these will be my first. I have no symptoms- but it still is scary to think of the possibilities. I imagine I will get the results by the end of the week.

In the mean time we have been either in the pool or on the lake having a blast! And like a gal says in Secret Lives of Bees "Get up from there and live like the glorious girl you are."

Odalys

Quote:

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"Get up from there and live like the glorious girl you are."

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What a great quote. Thanks, Margerie.

kim825

That is a great quote Margerie. The collarbone area skin started peeling. OUCH!! They did give me the steriod cream and the gel packs. (not sure what they are called).
Glad to get the updates of Debbie. Hopefully soon she will be back on the boards.
Have a great week everyone.

Kim

Mary-Lou

Hi girls, I talked to Debbie over the week end. She was feeling pretty good. It was fun to hear her voice. She sounds as sweet as I thought she would.

I was happy to talk to her. Of course I rambled. And sounded like a hick

Wonder where the box is? I look forward to getting it.

Love to you all. Hope Kaye is doing okay.

Nancy-SanDiego

Hello everyone. It is great to get the updates from Greg, but even better that you talked to her, Mary Lou. We're all praying that the path report is good news.

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend and celebrated Dads. I had two of my favorite dads (my son and his best friend, along with my daughter-in-law and grandson) over for brunch. Ocean breezes, great food (if I do say so) and the best of company, that's the way to spend the day.

Saw the Director of the Congestive Heart Failure Clinic on Friday (that name sucks) and he was cautiously optimistic that I can continue Herceptin. I'll have it this Friday and then another echo on Tuesday. Good news/bad news is that it may be exaccerbated by Herceptin but getting off Herceptin won't reverse it. My ef has remained pretty constant at 56%, but I have a "severly" dialiated left atrium, "mildly" dialiated left ventricle, and "moderately" leaky mitral valve. He says if the meds can keep it from deteriorating and I want to, we'll continue Herceptin. Crazy enough, my 5-year survival rate for CHF is far worse than for bc. Just when I thought I could end this horrible year and reclaim my life.

On much lighter note, my grandson is sooo impressed with my fuzz. He says I feel like a bunny. Doesn't seem to be growing very fast, neither are my eyelashes, but all is evident. Even found one long, stray hair on my calf.

Wishing you all a great week. Just finished rad 19 today and so far, so good. I'm sorry that some of you are feeling the burn--I itch but the collarbone does not sound like a fun time.

Nancy

Odalys

Mary Lou - I'm so glad you talked to Debbie over the weekend. I was tempted to call her but did not want to disturb her. Now I wish I had. I will continue praying for her recovery.

Nancy - Sorry to hear about the CHF. It must have been very difficult to hear the doctor talk about 5-year stats when you are fighting bc. Thought you might like to know that my mom has had CHF for many years (way more than 5)as well as a long list of other conditions and she is still fighting. We don't worry too much about the stats because afterall they are only stats and everyone is different. She continues to fight every day and we continue to love her and support her. It sounds like you also have a loving family that will help you and support you. Plus, we're all here for you. Remember..."Soldier on!!"

Well, I better get some sleep now. Love and hugs to all.

Mary-Lou

Girls, please read my post Clueless Friends (long). See what you think......I respect your opinion. I posted it on the beyond cancer board. Read below, I was able to copy it for here.