anyone starting chemo in Nov 2005

Margerie

Oh Anna,

You sound like me, Ms. Stick in the Mud/Homebody. I can imagine it seems daunting. Just pull out a piece of paper and write out all the pros and cons. Pros- great fun, adventure, scenery, history, memories, food, wine. You are on assignment to take some fabulous pictures for us!

And you might just have to buy some new luggage/travel clothes/toiletries to get yourself in the mood. Roll up your clothes, bring some Woolite and you won't have to pack as much. Have you ever heard of Weekender clothes? They are made for travel- comfy, cute, no wrinkle, easy to mix and match.

Anyway, I hope your trip is more fun than not. Send your oncologist a postcard!

kim825

Hugs Anna. I like Margerie's idea of buying new stuff to get you in the mood.
Margerie, my treatment is Carbo and Abraxane. I only have 3 more Carbo treatments whether the scans are positive or not. They tell me 12 is the limit of Carbo treatments.

Kim

AnnaM

OMG, call me blown out of my mind! I just opened a letter from my oncologist informing me that she is closing her practice on May 15th, that she won't be keeping appointments after that, that she won't be on call after that, that we can pick up our files before that and that a practice in Fairfax (where she is) is willing to pick up her patients.

I had an appointment with her on May 17th and we had set up a system whereby I would get my bloodchecks done in France and have the results faxed to her, etc., etc.

Out of my mind is what I am! I can't go to just anybody in Fairfax. I went there because of her; it's 20 miles from us and we have to take the Wasington beltway to get there (horrendous). Now I will have to find someone closer who is willing to see me on such short notice. How do I do that? I just can't believe this.

I'm sorry, there all of you were being so sweet and supportive and I can't even answer you I'm so upset.

BTW, the blood from foot went beautifully. The hospital I had to go to is really nice and everyone was very friendly. Debbie, I get blood taken from my foot because I am now portless and had bilateral (mast. and nodes) and am faithfully doing lymphedema prevention (manual drainage massage, compression garments when flying, the whole nine yards).

I'll get through this. Hey, we have all been through worse, right? I have so much to be thankful for. This could have happened last year when I was halfway through my chemo, boy, that would have been so bad.

Love to my sisters, A.

Margerie

Boy, talk about short notice?????!! I wonder what the heck is going on?

Do you know any oncs in your area? I found mine thru a friend, but interviewed several. I am so sorry Anna- just before your trip. Crap! I guess you are going to have to put this on the top of your list. Maybe it is a blessing in disguise and you about to find an even better onc.

Hugs,

Margerie

Anonymous

Oh Anna, that really sucks. I'm really sorry. We have so much faith in our docs-to be yanked away from them would be tough.

Just a quickie....
go to nytimes.com, I'm in the health section! There is a quote from me at the end of the story, but a picture of us at the beginning! Wheee!!!!!
Love and prayers, Deb

Odalys

Love you guys,




Okay...I coun't resist so here it goes....



Now, I need to go catch up on all the posts...

Odalys

Here is the link to the NY Times article. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/health...UALvT3lZ7VDiJvg

Finally, chemo brain awareness. Sure hope they come up with something soon. It does get better but I do find myself throwing away important papers and not even remembering I did it. Just the other day, I threw away a check we had received from our insurance company for roof repairs. It was a rather large check. Thank God I found it after digging through the garbage. I also threw away our ATM cards...and don't even remember when I did that!
Oh well...small price to pay to be cancer free but I am worried because my Grandma died of Alzheimers.

BTW - I am making a special something to send to all of you. It should be ready in a week or so. I have everyone's address except Deb's new address. Deb can you PM your new address so I can make sure to send you a gift too.

Anna - sorry to hear about the doc. I hope you find a new one soon. Remember, everything happens for a reason...

MaryLou - I am worried about you; haven't heard from you since the shooting. How are you doing?

Kim - great news! Glad to hear the markers are decreasing. Will continue to lift you in prayer.

Lat56 - hope winter is leaving you soon.

Margerie - I wish you lived close by so we could go shopping, shopping, shopping!!!

Love,

Anonymous

Thanks, Odalys! There is the chemo brain at work (didn't bother to give you guys a link!)

Ok, time for a late lunch....love and prayers, Deb

AnnaM

Thank you, my sisters, for reminding me that things happen for a reason. I just talked to one of my chemo nurses, imagine how blown over they are with just 7 days notice that they are out of a job! Anyway, she gave me a very good suggestion, namely, an oncologist in the next building over. She is interviewing for a job there herself and told me that doctor does only breast cancer and that everyone says she is really really good. Who knows....

Debbie, you will laugh when you hear this. My hubs always checks the NYT when he first logs on to his computer in the morning, and this morning he printed out the chemo brain article and I read it and we discussed it and I didn't even realize that the Debbie they mentioned was YOU! That was a really good article and I will have to bring it out to remind that hubs that I have a valid excuse for forgetting silly and important things, always non-discriminatingly.

Kim, I continue to pray for negative scans and low numbers. I am still picturing you with those delightful little ones. I bet it's nice to be able to have them play outside now.

What a gorgeous day today and I am thankful that this wicked journey put me on a spiritual path I might not have embarked upon under different, less frightening circumstances.

Also, it has put all of you in my life and I treasure your voices and just knowing that you are out there. I can't believe what we have been through. I really can't.

Love, Anna

kim825

Anna, I am so sorry about your oncologist. I hope you like the new one as much as you liked yours. Do you think maybe she can see you before her practice closes. That really is such short notice.
Odalys, I am hysterical laughing at the male mammogram. I showed dh and he said ouch!!
I am soooo sooo nervous about these scan this week. I guess that is why I am not sleeping at night. I think tonight will be an ativan night.
Deb, I read the article this morning. Great article and such a sweet picture of you and Daniel. You are our new superstar.

Odalys

Kim - I'll be thinking of you this week. Hope all goes well.
Love,

Mary-Lou

Thanks for the link. Deb, you look great. Please email me the new address, I need to add it to the exchange box. Yes, chemo brain. Michael just asked me today when I was sending the box back out. Really I had forgotten.

It's so late, and I'm very tired. I will post tomorrow.

Anonymous

Hi ladies,
Anna-your story is exactly the reason I adore you so much. That just cracked me up!

Time for bed. It's been such an exciting day, and I am beat. We worked really hard to pack up the basement today. Moving day is in about 3 weeks!

Thinking of you all (for assorted reasons!).
Love and prayers, Deb

AnnaM

Kim, I am praying that your scans go really well this week.

Love, Anna

kim825

Thanks everyone. Chemo went well yesterday, very smooth. My scans are on Friday and I will get the results on Tuesday when I see Dr. Michaelson.

AnnaM

Keep us posted, Kim.

A.

Margerie

My onc's assistant just called and my PET/CT "looks good". She knew I was nervously waiting at home, doc was with a patient and she asked if she could just call me and tell me that. LOL- I told her I was running out of house to clean.

I am so happy I could cry.

I am putting all of my mental energies into routing for good scans for Kim. Boy, it is hard to "relax" during the wait before the scan table. I will be having surgery Monday, and probably won't be home to check here until Wed. Best wishes Kim for good results!

AnnaM

I like that, inscanity. Makes perfect sense to me.

I am so happy to hear your scans were clean, Margerie. Good luck for the Monday surgery. I will be thinking of you!

Debbie, I seem to remember I saw some posts from you on a thread that talked about how to deal with very curly hair. Do you remember where that was? I can't find it anywhere. Did someone say you shouldn't use shampoo on surly hair, but just "wash" it with conditioner? Was I dreaming that? My very curly hair needs help, now that I have decided I like it (sort of) and want it to curl smoothly, even in humidity.

Hubs is going to the Middle East again, for five days only. Still.... Lucky I have that little dog to talk to while he's gone.

Love to all, A.

kim825

Ok the scans are over, now just have to wait for the results. So nerve-wracking. We left here 6:30am and got to center around 8. Boy did the tech mess up my arm. I should be black and blue by tomorrow. The PET/CAT was 3 hours start to finish and then I went for the head MRI. That only took 20 minutes. Got out of there around 1:30. Felt light headed from not eating so me and Anthony went and had a nice lunch before heading home. Good thing the kids will keep me busy this weekend to not think about results.
Margerie, I am so happy for you. That is such wonderful news. I hope and pray my news is just as good. I will keep you all updated.
Anna, I hope you hubby has a safe trip.

Kim

Odalys

Great news Margerie. Did I miss something? What kind of surgery are you having on Monday? Hope all goes well.

Kim - glad you were able to get through today. Wow, sorry about your arm. I hope it won't be too bruised.

Anna - enjoy that doggie. Hope your hubby won't be away too long and will be safe.

Well, I made you all a special something. It will be a surprise. I'm sending it via snail mail but it should reach you this week. I hope you like it.

Love and hugs,

Odalys

Margerie - I hope all went well today and you are not in pain. Sending you some gentle hugs.

Kim - you so deserve good news.

Mary Lou, Anna, Debbie, Lat56 - hoping you are all doing good.

Surprise Update...I went to the post office on Saturday to mail out the surprise only to find out I have to make some modifications in order to mail them out. I will fill you in afterwards cause I don't want to spoil the surprise. Bummer... I was really hoping to have mailed it out by today. Please bare with me a few more days and I promise I will mail them out ASAP.

Well, got to go now. It's late and I still have to put Steven to bed and get things ready for tomorrow morning.

Pleasant dreams dear sisters. Love and Hugs to everyone.

kim825

According to Dr. Michaelson, "Excellent scan results"
I am floating on cloud 9 right now.

Basically the impressions were:
Liver metastases RESOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bone metastases HEALED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many of the lung nodules have decreased in size and NO METABOLIC ACTIVITY SEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are still 2 stubborn lung lodules that didn't decrease in size and appear a little bigger. (I think these were my original 2 spots). One of these spots shows necrosis. This means the inside of the cell is dying. Hopefully we won't see that on the next scan.

With regard to the brain MRI:
Smaller metastatic lesion. NO NEW METASTATIC LESIONS.

So this was better than I was expecting. Anthony of course wanted to see NO cancer, but this is the next best thing. We were so overdue for good news. I have 1 more session next Tuesday with the 2 drugs. I will of reached my limit with the carboplatin. Then a week off. I will be 3 weeks on and 1 week off. Dr. M., needless to say was very pleased with these results and said I can stay on the Abraxane for as long as it works.

Thank you all for the prayers, they worked!!!!

love you all,
Kim

Margerie

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!! Three cheers for Kim!! I was so hoping for good news for you honey!! Tell your hubby not to worry, you are on a new trend now! I am so happy for you and your family- you made my day!

Odalys

Kim - Oh, God is so incredible. Just when we start to run out of energy He fills us up again. God continues to bless you and your family. I am so happy for you. You go girl!!! We will continue to pray for you.

Margerie - How did it go?

Love and hugs to all my sisters.

AnnaM

Yes, Kim, thank you for filling us with that wonderful news. I am so happy for you! Prayer works. I am now praying that those last spots shrivel up and disappear. Your news has put a huge smile on my face.

Love, Anna

Mary-Lou

Kim I'm so happy for you.
God is good. He is there always ,
even when you seem to see
no light at the end of the tunnel.
That made my day to hear
such wonderful news!!!!!!!

Hi girls, It is late, and I have
to work in the morning. Just
wanted to say hey

Also , I want you all to
know the relay for life
is on Friday, the 18th.

I will be lighting a candle
for all of us. And saying a
small prayer. Remember me at 9pm.

Anonymous

Oh Kim, that is just the most fantastic news EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am thrilled for you!!! I just cheered out loud, and my son is just dying to know/understand why I am so pleased!

Gotta get dinner out on table. I miss my sisters!
Love and prayers, Deb
PS-prayers sure do work.

Odalys

Hi, ladies,

I hope everyone had a good week. Here's a new pic. It was taken last week at work. All the members of the administrative team have their picture posted on the lobby of the hospital. I't turned out to be the best picture I've had taken since the bc diagnosis.


Love and hugs,

Odalys

Hi all...



I also want to light a candle in memory of all the sisters who have lost the fight, as well as all the special Mom's, and Grandama's who are not with us today but whose love will always be in our hearts.



Have a great day everyone. (((((hugs)))))

Margerie

Beautiful picture Odalys- you are gorgeous!

And Happy Mother's Day to you and all our angels too.