Illinois ladies facing bc

lago

Heidi K we were all terrified. I remember sitting there just waiting for something to happen, feel different or something. Other than the buzz I got from the Bendryl I felt nothing. The nurse kept speeding up my drip because I didn't have any reaction. That is actually quite typical. The few people I know that had an allergic reaction were fine in a matter of seconds. They were given more Benadryl and the infusion was slower.

It's actually quite boring. Bring a book, ipad, video games, knitting or what ever to pass the time. It's a long day of just sitting around.

---------------------------

I'm broken up over Marybe. I mean I'll be fine but… Fuckin' Cancer

HeidiDisney

Got good news today-2nd surgery came back with clear margins.  Dr M. took tissue all the way to the chest wall and it was all clear!!!   Have to go back to Dr. P(med onco) on 9/20 because a test wasn't back yet.  I just want to get on with radiation therapy and get back to life.

Dr. P did say they were going to put me on Tamoxifen for 5 years after the radiation was done.

virginiab

HeidiDisney--

Congratulations on the clear margins. Here's to easy (or at least easy-ish) sailing through the rest of this journey.

As a non-Heidi, I enjoyed the idea of you 2 Heidis enjoying a drink and talking about everyone who related to your name through their German Shepherd or whatever....

camillegal

HeideK-----Please, please---don't be afrais as was said it's just sitting in boredom and when u have to go to the bathroom u wjeel that whoke thing around and after a while u can master turning it off when kt's time--they usually don't like that tho. There's no pain It's just an IV. If u'r in a room with others after a while everyone is talking and laughing and the time goes by---if u'r alone after benedryl u could probsbly sleep or--like Lgo said read a book. It's really not scary getting it.

lago

Yay HeidiD!

HeidiK I always had to go to the bathroom at least once. I was drinking a lot of water (as should you) and infused 3 bags of stuff  (TCH)  that's a lot of fluid. The nurses had no problem unhooking any of us so we could go. That's why there were 2 bathrooms right outside the chemo room for only those being treated to use at my place.

ritajean

Heidi,

We were all afraid of chemo.  In fact, I'd made myself sick before I ever even got there from worrying.  As others have said, it's really pretty uneventful.  Is somebody going with you the first time?  If so, you'll be able to chat while the infusions are going on.  Otherwise, take something to do.   I always asked for some ice chips to suck on during the infusions as I was told the cold helps keep away mouth sores.  I guess it worked as I never got the mouth sores, either.

Hugs!

Rita

lago

The ice chips thing does work. I got a mouth sore after my 1st tx. My onc suggested sucking on ice after that. Never had another mouth sore. BTW my chemo nurse, who I absolutely loved wasn't so optimistic about it working but it did. Onc trumps nurse anyway.

IllinoisLady

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.
- Henry Drummond

IllinoisLady

Heidi.....add my voice to the tremendous apprehension ( total fear ) of first time chemo.  I think I was waiting for my idea of a freight train running over me.  It was very anticlimatic in the end.  I felt a bit foolish that I had allowed that much fear to control me -- your're with people who can care for you in any way that is needed --- they are most likely to ask if they can get you some water, lunch, or a blanket if your cool. 

Everyone has first-time jitters, but that is what gets you to almost old pro the second time out. 

HeidiDisney.....good news.  Yay.  There's always, but always room for good news.

Hot today here with probably some rain.  Not liking the mugginess. 

Have a great day everyone.

Hugs, Jackie 

C-squared

Heidi~ I swore up, down and sideways that I wasn't going to do chemo.., here I am almost 14 weeks PFC (tomorrow) to tell you!  LOLOL  Yours, too shall be a thing of the past before you know it!  And we are all here to help you along the way!

Rabbit43

Just have to chime in...Heidi, you are getting great tips and insights here, as usual from these wonderful ladies.

It is incredibly scary the first time. I worked myself up about it and then found it to be nothing like I imagined. If someone can go with you the first time, I think that is very helpful. It passes the time to visit. My husband went with me the first time and after that, I felt comfortable going alone and reading, resting, doing paperwork, etc. I found that I could catch up on my magazines, etc.

On the way home after the first one, we both commented on how we thought it was going to be very intimidating and sad and it really was neither. It's just foreign to you right now. It will be o.k. Let us know how it goes and know that we are all here for you.

joan888

HeidiK.... I will just chime in and wish you well with your first chemo tomorrow.  I think I told you my story about my first TX.  Unfortunately, I had not found my way to this forum full of wonderful ladies and their comforting advice. So, I freaked out a bit and it turnede out to be pretty much ado about nothing.  Heck, my DH and I went home and went for a big walk to get some exercise after the long sit.  Let us know how it goes tomorrow.

camillegal

     HeidiK---see everyone is telling u it's OK----so don't act like this   <<<<<<<<

Adey

HeidiK- the waiting is the hardest part.  Good luck today.

Any of you that feel like sending up a prayer and peaceful vibes...... my aunt Steph is coming to the end of her life's journey due to stage 4 bc.  Her oldest son is getting married in October.  I am so sad.  She wanted desperately to dance at his wedding.

spunkyboobster

Oh Adey, I'm so sorry-prayers for your aunt's peaceful journey.

HeidiK-hope all goes well today, we'll be with you in spirit.

IllinoisLady

The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy.
- Henry Ward Beecher

IllinoisLady

Adey....lots of vibes --- peace, serenity to and for your Auntie. 

Hugs, Jackie

zap

Adey, sorry about your aunt and that she is unable to be at her son's wedding.  There is always something we look forward to and I am sure your nephew and your aunt wished to be dance at his wedding. I hope she is at peace.

Susan

ritajean

Adey,  So sorry to hear about your aunt.  My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family during this sad time.

Anonymous

Prayers for Marybe and Adey's Aunt...

Thoughts and prayers of strength and hope for everyone going through a recent diagnosis, treatment, recovery and beyond.

hopefulhealing

Adey I am so sorry for your families loss. My daughter lost her future mother-in-law to this horrible disease the December before their June wedding.  I will keep all of you in my prayers. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they could have a ceremony for her where she could see them all dressed up and then the formal wedding in October?  Sending you hugs and prayers.

camillegal

Oh Adey I'm so sorry about u'r Aunt--Geeze this disease is disgusting.

camillegal

This is MY little man--(grandson-8) This morning he made  my coffee (2 cups) put what I like in it then brought it to me---then he brought me the milk, coffe pot and sweetner for my next cup--cuz he had to go to school and he didn't want me to have to get up and get my second cup. He has my heart.

smerf

Adey, I'm so sorry you are going through this. Thoughts and prayers being offered to you and your family at this difficult time.

hopefulhealing

camillegal how darling and special. They truly bring hope to our hearts and a reason to keep fighting this damn disease!

Adey

Cami-  What a doll (inside and out)!  And yeah, effing cancer.

Thank you all, I think your thoughts and prayers will help lift her when she decides to go.

joan888

Adey... prayers for your aunt and your whole family.  Enough of this ### disease already!

HeidiK.... so how goes it this evening? I hope that you have found your fears relieved.  Chemo is now doing its work in your body.  Yeah!  Go chemo, go!  Fight team, fight!   Now you can rest, drink lots of water, and let us know how you are doing.

C-squared

Adey~ prayers and peace to Aunt Steph, to you and to all her family and friends.

IllinoisLady

Why live?
Adding one to my count of days, or postponing
a feared death by another day do not inspire me.
I live to experience something new each day -
to learn something new, meet a new friend,
bring joy into someone's life,
feel the wind newly on my skin,
touch a new fear, a new anger,
and with focused intent and good fortune,
find an ample measure of my own joy.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

camillegal

Oh I really liked that one. U always come up with such great morning quotes. and all I can say is

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