Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

goldnmom

You ahould always appeal any insurance claim that you feel is denied when it shouldn't have been. They make plenty of mistakes. Study your policy so that you have your ammunition for the appeal. Many times they pay after denying a claim.

sharon56

just lost my post again glad to see ya val here another canuck hope you are enjoying the long weekend caya and joni too .
I am going to keep this post short and say hi hope all are well and doin ok .....
Chemo is it over yet ????
Whoever is still doin the deed we are here for ya hang in there gals

skyedivine

Hi Ladies,
Robbinjaye, thanks for sharing so we can all compare. I only hope mine comes in as dark as yours...it's mostly white although I can now feel some fuzz on the parts that were bare skin before. What it reminds me of is the descriptions I've read of alien hybrid children supposedly taken from wombs of pregnant abductees...the hair is always described as white and transparent. So Amera, maybe the Sci-Fi look is unavoidable! :-) And Tina, LOL, the crack about the "down there" hairs and your dh hooking up with granny was priceless. My dh will only say the new look there is "interesting." I keep reminding him that some women pay big bucks to get total pubic waxes for those minimal thong bikinis.

My niece finally went back to her original name for the baby except she is spelling it Ahrriahna now. Poor baby on her first day of school when she has to write that!

Caya I do love your gardening method, the chair and dh-with-trowel technique. I'll have to try it. I managed to finally fill and hang my hummingbird feeder yesterday and the hummer has found it, so fun to watch.

Mizsissy, I agree about the insurance aggravation. Right now we are being bugged for $4000 worth of things that the onc dept. had PREAPPROVED but insurance now trying to deny. We are appealing (you're right Goldnmom that they often pay when appealed, they just hope you will be too sick to bother) And it's because my insurer will only pay for "preferred providers" that they can't find a radiation onc that will work with me in Janesville. I sure hope they figure that out soon. I bought a few more soft sports bras in preparation for the rads.
BTW the giant white bands across the bottoms of my fingernails have stopped where they are and the nails don't hurt so I'm hoping the Taxol ended just in time so I won't have problems.

It's a rainy day here, good time to catch a nap. Hope everyone can enjoy some down time today. - Skye

Robbin65

lol...

I'm glad now that I posted my peach fuzz head.

Man, these hot flashes just don't want to seem to go away. They are actually waking me up in the middle of the night. Just a single sheet does not seem to be enough. First thing tomorrow I am going out and getting a bigger fan!!!!!!!!!

I am leaving on Thursday to go to a music festival on the river for 4 days. (I have already informed the Rad Dept.) Watch my period come back while I am camping....

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Hi Gals,

Robbin, you've inspired me. Maybe I'll get DH to take of picture of my ugly head and I'll post it too. Have a wonderful time on the river!!!

Feeling a lot better today. Had a very energetic day and sewed up a storm, and finished up my project for Mena, yalll can have a sneak preview..SHHHH...don't tell...



I'm gonna tell her she's going to be feeling better soon and will need some duds for steppin out!!!

Mizsissy

viddie

Hi everyone,
I read all the posts but am too tired and upset to respond right now, sorry. I am there for all of you, but do not have the energy to respond individually today. The 5th taxol has me a little under the weather.

It might be a combination of lack of energy and frustration. I had an appointment to meet the breast surgeon who will be doing the mastectomy with diep flap surgery. I made it a month ago and specifically asked what stuff they needed- mammogram films- pathology slides, etc. They told me all they needed were all the paper reports. I dropped them off two weeks ago and again checked to make sure they did not need anything else. At the time, I had my mammogram and ultrasound films in hand, and the secretary told me to bring them in at the time of the appointment.

I got a call from the nurse on Friday afternoon. She cancelled my appointment because she said she needed all the films and the slides 10 days before my appointment. I told her I called numerous times and they told me it was unnecessary. She said she just took over the responsibility and the office was giving out the wrong information and she had to have everything before the BS sees me. The next available appointment would be in 3 weeks, June 14. I argued with her until I was blue in the face. She apparently made up her mind and she was not going to accommodate me no matter what.

That is so frustrating!!!!! The problem is that I still have an appointment with my original PS about the implants on the day following my new appointment on June 15. I was going to cancel it on this Wednesday after I met with this BS if all went well and she agreed with the prophylactic mastectomy. I hate to cancel with the PS the day before my appointment. Also, that PS and BS are also holding a date for me on his calendar for surgery also. In other words, I am holding 2 surgical dates with different PS's and BS's for August. I know this is wrong and I planned to cancel the implant surgeon on this Wednesday after my appointment. Now I have to wait until June 15 and I do not think this is right, but if this BS does not want to do the PBM for whatever reason, I would go back to implant original implant PS. I cannot cancel him until I am sure that this BS agrees to do the PBM.

It seems that I am once again on edge---anxious. I was never this anxious before bc. Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill? Should just I go with the flow? Should I care about holding up two surgical dates in August?
My inclination is to call the nurse first thing tomorrow morning and plead with her again not to cancel my appointment. It was their mistake and why should I have to wait 3 more weeks. She probably already filled the appointment.
I am all worked up--- I do not want to take an ativan- they make me too sleepy- especially when I am already tired. Anyway, just expressing my feelings in writing makes me feel better. Thanks everyone for being here for me. Enough already. I am beginning to sound like a big neurotic kvetch. It's weird: It seems I can handle breast cancer,even be positive about it, but these little annoyances in life bother me more. Sorry about complaining so much so often.
Viddie

Nancyab

I have ductal. I was sent the consent form and info about the study, sounds like I'm damn if I do and damn if I don't! I need to really study this but I am soooooo tired of thinking. Thank you all for what input you gave so far, Please keep this subject on the table, and share info as we get it. Tina I agreed with the discrimination on the testing. Ladies I did the relay and even spent the night in a tent in a cold wind 1 day after chemo. I walked with 200 other survivors and they had over 900 luminaries! It was awesome! Me and my little old team raised 1100.00! and they walked and walked and walked. Each time someone made a lap which was.. we figured a half of a mile, they collected a bead, 2 of my team members have over 30 beads and no they didn't cheat, LOL. I highly recommend if there is a relay in your area at least go visit it, It really was fun, Kettering's (where I live) we raised over 60 grand!
In regards to the inflammation of the chest wall, Dr. just determined upon exam. I think I did it helping my DH lift a glider swing into a pickup for his brother who just had back surgery. I didn't wanna do it, but Hercules was no where to be found! Sometimes you gotta be normal.

Nancyab

Viddie, you do sound so upset, and it is ridiculous that people can't seem to do their jobs right or at least lack the the trying! I am so sorry you have an unnecessary issue to deal with. Please just breathe and try to relax, don't let peoples mess ups stress you like this. It will all be resolved in one way, OK Hugs sweetie love you!

TPPJ

Oh, Viddie, I was as upset prior to my surgery because I had to coordinate the regular surgeon and the plastic surgeon together...a feat in itself. Days before surgery they realized they lost my MRI CD....had never looked at it. They finally did and decided they wanted to ultrasound my left breast. I freaked because I knew if they biopsied, waited for results and God forbid, found something, my surgery would never take place on Fri..I'd be further delayed. You just have zero patience for this stuff. It isn't just you.

TPPJ

Wow! What an awesome outfit, MizSissy! Love the leopard scarf w/that dress...really works. I can't believe you made that! You paint, you sew... I can't imagine what you'll do after rads! Look out!

meliaanne

Mizsissy, Great outfit, very much a message of love. How sweet of you.

Viddie, I am sorry you are so upset and don't blame you a bit. You tried to cover all your bases in advance. I think we just go along with all this stuff, surgery, diagnosis, chemo, rads, whatever. And what little we actually try to control and / or schedule HAD BETTER GO RIGHT. We have so little control in general over this situation. And that blasted nurse is letting procedures get in the way of recovery and getting back to a reasonably normal life. Of course you are frustrated. It is beyond frustrating. I wish I could help.

We are enjoying having our son home, though he is mostly working on his app for the law review, so we aren't seeing too much of him. But he is sweet, went with me to Costco yesterday, which exhausts me on my best day, and we got him some slacks for his bday. It is nice to have him around. And he is so easy going.

RobbinJaye, enjoy your trip. I haven't been camping in so long.

Melia

mer1957

Mizsissy, PM me and maybe we can get together this weekend Sun or Mon - can DH come too? I'll need his car for the bike rack.

ErinsGram

Mizsissy - just dropping by from the February thread - absolutely gorgeous outfit! Love it!
Phyl

mer1957

Viddie, I think I would call and ask the dr to call you back. Why do you have to have the office staff give you the run-around. These are special circumstances.

Rebecca

Mizsissy-that is a gorgeous outfit. i am sure Mena will love it. I hope she is feeling better!

Viddie that is dreadful. I think an appeal to the Dr is in order. A delay in a situation like this is nothing to be casual about! You went through Chemo, did everything that you could to get everything lined up so that it would go smoothly and now you are to be punished because of someone's mistake!?!?! UMMM NO. I think not. Maybe you should go in person ASAP with films etc in hand and make an appeal. Do not feel badly about being thrown by the little things like this...because it is NOT little. The day before my surgery I went for Pre-op testing, and the technician who did my EKG messed up and there was artifact on the report. As a result, my PCP could not clear me for surgery. They did not find this out until 4PM, and the office closed at 4:30PM....with my surgery scheduled for 7AM the following morning. They were going to CANCEL me...to say I flipped out is an understatement. I FLEW up to the Dr. they held the office open for me, gave me the test and cleared me. She then had to give me a Xanax to peel me off the wall. You will be fine Viddie...I just think you need to speak to the Dr personally. UGH What is WRONG with these people!!!!!

In other news, we had a great day today. Frances managed to compete all 4 events at her meet, and she did VERY well (even with her fractured thumb!). Her team came in 6th in the state, and she got medals personally for Vault and Floor. She is thrilled, and we are so very proud of her. here are some pictures for you guys

http://picasaweb.google.com/rebecca.sheehy/May2007States?authkey=buDcP3LG5GA

have a good night!

Rebecca

mary, I am so glad that ken-fest went well. Sounds like just the sort of sendoff that I would like my family to give me when I my time comes.

RobbinJaye-I am envious of your hair! yay for you. I am still doing a very good imitation of a ping pong ball. I had some fuzz but it all fell out a few days ago courtesy of my last dose of toxic Kool Aide. I lost most of my left eyebrow, too.

Ah well...have to go scrub the kids... have a good night everyone!

IowaCindy

Looks like a great time!

Cindy

TPPJ

Great pics, Rebecca! You all look great. You wear that scarf well!

IowaCindy

honestly, that really sucks!

I think you should appeal that decision. Ask for office manager or the doctor.

We'll be sending you wave after wave of powerful, annoyed BC sister thoughts tomorrow so they can't ignore you!!!

Cindy

Anonymous

Hi all. That last chemo really did me in. I'm still feeling pretty rotten, sore throat and completely fatigued. It was such a gorgeous weekend here and I so wanted to get out and do something, but just didn't manage to get much further than the back yard. I go in tomorrow for labs and will ask about the sore throat. I already know that my blood counts must be very low. I'm just not bouncing back this time like before, but it will get there. I have been reading all of the posts and thinking about all of you - but just too tired out to respond. I'm envious of those of you that have hair. I have no patience left and want it now - but I guess I have a least a month before I'll see any growth.

Mary & Joni - thinking of you.
Viddie - give those docs hell. You are NOT making a mountain of a mole hill, I think you are completely justified in being fed up.
Mizsissy - you are one talented woman! That is a gorgeous dress.
RobbinJaye - I can't imagine how you are getting by on that budget. At this point you could probably start your own financial consulting biz b/c you must be a budgeting genius!

luckymel

Hello all. I've been reading for a few days, and not posting - I've figured out that I wait until evening to do that, and by then I'm too tired. I'll try the other way. I won't even try to address all the issues and occurrences since I last posted, but know I've been here and am thinking of all of you.
Jan, sorry you're still feeling bad, but you're just barely done with chemo. I'm beginning to bounce back but I'm about 4-5 weeks ahead of you I think, and I still have good and bad days. Your counts are probably still down and if you're fighting a sore throad on top of everything else, no wonder. Just be good to yourself and don't expect too much.
Rebecca, the pictures of your family were absolutely enchanting! You really have a wonderful family, those kids look so cute and happy.
Nancy, wish I could have been at your relay - it sounds like a wonderful experience. I think I missed ours here this year, but after your description I won't miss next year for sure.
Melia, glad you're enjoying your son's visit, even if you don't get all of his time and attention - sounds like he has a lot on his plate, too.
Mary, I'm so sorry about Ken, but what a send-off you all gave him. Sounded absolutely perfect. I'm envious that you and Mizsissy are getting together for a bike ride - I'd come if I could.
Viddie, so sorry about your upset with the PS office - hugs to you. I'm guessing you're part way over it, anyway, but if not, here's my two cents: Don't waste any energy on worrying about whether you're doing something wrong by booking two different OR's and surgeons' times. It is way far in advance, and believe me, if they're booked up that far ahead there won't be any problem with filling up those spaces with other patients who are waiting like you. It is done all the time, and especially with something like this that many people customarily do have second opinions for. Just go for your June appointment, make sure they have what they need, forgive them for making the mistake (that girl probably got fired anyway) and get all the information you need before you make your decision. For sure don't bypass the DIEP because you're upset with the office staff. I appreciate your concerns about doing the "right thing," but really, it happens. It's part of a surgeon's life that their OR schedules are fluid, constantly changing as one patient cancels and another moves into the spot. I know how upsetting it is to have to wait another two or three weeks, but since you're not having your surgery until August anyway, no real harm done.
Mizsissy, nice outfit and a beautiful gesture on your part - Mena is lucky to have you in her corner.
Robbin, you're brave to post your pics, since your hair is sort of your crowning glory. You're beautiful even without it, though. We all kind of look the same, right about now, in the hair department. Also, I had no idea you were getting buy on that tiny amount of money - you must be tough. As if it isn't enough to have to cope with cancer, you're expected to get by on that. I really feel for you. Hope you have a great time at the music festival. Are you working it, or just going to hang out?

luckymel

Oh, Skye...Ahrriahna??? That poor child. The name sounds beautiful, but the spelling....Don't you just want to slap them sometimes?
We had a beautiful weekend here - went to the nursery and bought plants for a bed we're redoing. Like Caya, I sat and pointed when it came time to plant. I was pretty done in by the trip to the nursery, no energy left. Last week I essentially did nothing, but seemed to feel pretty good, and I sort of interpreted that as "time to go to the gym." so I did. Haven't been the same since - my legs even started swelling again, a little bit. I guess that feeling meant that doing nothing was agreeing with me, not that doing nothing meant I was all better. I'm still learning what an ordeal we've all been through. I just didn't get it at first. Guess you don't until you've walked those miles. We are dog-sitting for our cat-sitter's dog, Muddy, so I am planning to do some dog walking the next week or so and see how that goes. Muddy's a famous dog - Christi and Muddy have a radio show, and he has quite a fan base. She's the one who saved our kitty's life when we were on vacation a while back.
My friend Joyce had her mastectomy and DIEP last week and did great. She's thrilled with her new boobs and flat tummy. I'm going in to see her in the morning. She makes me almost excited to have my surgery.

Love to you all.

viddie

Hi all,
"We'll be sending you wave after wave of powerful, annoyed BC sister thoughts tomorrow so they can't ignore you!!" Thanks, Cindy.
Thanks everybody once again for your support. I will call tomorrow morning and try to appeal to her one more time, and if I do not get anywhere, I will ask to speak to the doctor. Then if all else fails, I will take Mel’s advice and try to save my energy and move past it,and try to let it go.
Thanks again for all your advice and support. I will let you know what happens tomorrow.

Mary,
I am so sorry about Ken. The Kenfest was a great idea.- a great way to say good-bye.
Robbin,
Wow! Your hair is really growing in fast! Way to go! Have fun at the music fest.
Caya,
Sounds like a fun plan- watching DH plant flowers. I am glad you had a fun weekend.
Skye,
“I keep reminding him that some women pay big bucks to get total pubic waxes for those minimal thong bikinis.” LOL
One of my WW friends just got hers waxed- and she said it hurt like hell. She started talking about it at Outback. We were all embarrassed and didn’t quite know how to respond. Apparently it is “the thing” to do. Aren’t we lucky!! LOL
I love hummingbirds.
They have to find a radiation onc for you. They are so shameful- what they try to do to us.
Mizsissy,
That dress is gorgeous. You are so talented. Mena will love it.
Nancy,
It sounds like you had a great fun time at the relay. You were brave sleeping in a tent. Regarding the glider swing, sometimes it is too late to tell if we do too much. I hope your inflammation goes down real soon.
Melia,
I am glad you are having a great time with your son.
Rebecca,
Your kids are so cute. I am glad Frances had a very successful day. Getting two metals is wonderful. You must be so proud of her. 6th in the state is great!.
It looks like you had a great day at the beach afterwards.
Jan,
I am sorry you are not feeling well. Since your resistance is low, you might have strep throat. That might explain why you are feeling so bad. I am glad you are going to the oncologist tomorrow to ask about your sore throat. I have had so many infections while on chemo, but the antibiotics always picked me up. I hope you feel better tomorrow.
Mel,
Taking it easy is the way to go, as long as we can. We have plenty of time to pace ourselves until our bodies are ready to do more- and we will know when that is. “We are dog-sitting for our cat-sitter's dog, Muddy.” Muddy sounds like quite a character. Dog walking is very healthy and enjoyable.
I am glad Joyce is home. Did she experience much pain? Did she have a bilateral mastectomy? How is she feeling now?
Good night all,
Viddie

skyedivine

Caya, what is it about that middle of the afternoon that makes the energy just stop? Tight pants here too. Feels so icky.

Mizsissy, cool outfit for Mena! Love the dress style. Hope it cheers her up.

Viddie, wouldn’t you think the onc staffs would understand that causing us such anxiety is very bad for our health? Not to mention postponing important appointments. I’d try, too, to get the original date restored.

Nancy I don’t know what to tell you about the study, but I admire you for doing that relay! I don’t think I could have. But again, I’m a wuss.

Rebecca congrats to Frances on her meet and thanks for the link to the pics. Makes me feel like I was there!

Mel, yes, I want to tell my niece she is crazy for that spelling. I look at the name Ahrriahna and it reminds me of “diarrhea.” But it’s her choice, unfortunately. You also struck a chord with me when you noted it seems to take til now…and until we try a bit too much exercise…what an ordeal we have been through. And I think it takes a really long time for those taxanes to leave our body. While I was on Taxol I constantly smelled what I described as “funky vinegar pizza” around me, and last night I again had the hollow mild nausea and smelled the funky vinegar pizza so I know it isn’t entirely gone. And it’s four weeks today since my last one!

I may try bugging my onc office about the rads onc again today. I think I’ll go on the Blue Cross web site and see if I can find one myself. I found out the person who had been working on it at the office had shunted the responsibility off onto the receptionist!

Jan, try warm salt water gargles for sore throat relief while waiting to see your doctor. Also warm herb tea with honey is very good. Hope you can feel better soon.

My big mission for the day is to get to the post office in town…that seems like an achievable goal! J Hope everyone’s week starts out sweet. - Skye

meliaanne

Rebecca,
Your children are adorable. We raised two girls and a boy too. They are best friends, which was always our goal. They all live within an hour or so of each other and get together regularly. The girls always say our son is a good boyfriend b/c he grew up with two sisters! If I could turn the clock back to when they were little, I would do it in a heartbeat. I had the worst time with the empty nest syndrome, but I must say my husband, as much as he adores them, loves the freedom!
Melia

Rebecca

Melia, I can only imagine the empty nest. I get fidgety when the girls are at school! My children are very close to each other, and they spend more time playing with each other than with anyone else. Poor Owen is going out of his mind since the semester ended because it is just the two of us in the house for most of the day. When school is out he will be a happier boy I think . Sometimes it is a struggle to make sure that they are best friends....I have spent a lot of time enforcing it (I make them hold hands when they argue, for example). i just think that it is so important to love your siblings. My daughter has a friend who HATES her brother (and it appears to be mutual) and it breaks my heart to see. I did not have any siblings until I was 10 years old, so I am in a good position to appreciate what it means to have one (or not...as the case may be).

Waiting on pins and needles for my MRI results....nothing yet, although my Onc did call me on Friday when he got my message just to let me know that he GOT the message and that he had not gotten the report yet. He assured me that he would call me as soon as he got any news. I like my Onc...he makes me feel like a person, and i guess that is a good thing!

meliaanne

Yes, Rebecca, sometimes when they are little there is lots of squabbling. I had all three of them within 3 1/2 years so they are close in age. I had the two girls, then the boy. I do think our son is more sensitive to what women want b/c of his sisters, and I like the way he treats his girlfriend. Enjoy them ... I know you do.

Keeping good thoughts for the mri. Please post asap.
Melia

Anonymous

Here's my secret - I love going to the onc office (for non-chemo visits). It's the ONLY place where I don't feel self-conscious about being bald and I never, ever get the pity looks.

Blood counts were very low as expected today, but the nurse said she didn't see any signs of infection in my throat (whew). Step has been going around my DD's classroom for the last two months so I'm paranoid about it, but looks like I've managed to miss it so far.

Mel - I'd love to hear more about your friend's DIEP - it's the surgery I am hoping to have too. Great to hear that she is already happy with it. I have a consult set up next month.

Hope everyone has a good day.

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Hello ladies, thank you all for the compliments on Mena's dress. Let's just hope she likes it as much and it fits!!!!!

Rebecca, little Frances in her glasses is *JUST ADORALICIOUS* What pretty eyes!!! Give her our congratulations on her wins. Super!

Viddie, sounds you are dealing with a very officious and over zealous nurse. Is it possible to talk to someone real, like the actual surgeon?!!!

Had a marvelous day Sunday. Felt fit and positive, there was an actual bounce in my step. Busy day all day, and felt so successful we celebrated with a couple gin & tonics, and whomp..I didn't sleep so well and I feel quite out of it today. Could it be..perhaps...the booze and not the zaps?!!!

I keep going back and forth over a decision to go camping this weekend. We got this terrific old popup camper last September (before the fateful dx) and it's been a project all year long, redecorating, getting everything shipshape. I just love it; it's like a little traveling safari, very open, with screened windows everywhere, a very comfy bed, table, and water and heat. I've been dying to take it on its *Maiden Voyage* since last fall, and the weather would be perfect this weekend. We know a lovely, rustic wilderness area up north where we could get a private campsite right on the river...I could paint and Erik could play his guitar.

But, how will I feel? If it's like yesterday--Great!! If it's like today, forget it!!! I guess I could just lie around in the camper and read books. It's quite comfortable.

It will just be a couple of nights, and then we'd be back in time to wear red for Pentecost on Sunday, and here Monday to go biking with Mary!

Hmmm...?!!

Mizsissy

skyedivine

Hi everyone,
Just thought I'd post the latest in my ongoing struggle to get a rads onc the insurance will pay for, just so those of you also enduring bureaucracy struggles won't feel alone. The gal called this morning and told me I have my choice of two, but neither one goes to Janesville! So I had to choose between Fort Atkinson and Beloit, both are about the same drive as to Janesville but of course I won't have my mom right there to stop at if I want a rest before driving home. I picked Ft. Atkinson because it doesn't involve driving on the Interstate and I can get errands done along the way. She said the doc would call me but that hasn't happened yet. I asked her to please let him know it's already been 4 weeks since my last Taxol and she said she would. And so I wait some more.... - Skye