Illinois ladies facing bc

IllinoisLady

Do we spread loving kindness?  There are many who say that
this is our ultimate goal on this planet--to spread loving kindness
to our fellow human beings.  And when we are able to accomplish
this goal, we find that our lives are transformed in the process.
We're no longer so strongly focused on things and negative
thoughts and feelings, but we've become truly happy,
content human beings who love life and living.

tom walsh

ritajean

What a gorgeous day!  I played in a Ladies Earlybird Golf Outing today and the weather was perfect.

I have a beautiful bouquet of my daffodils sitting on my kitchen counter and they look so cheery!  I love this time of year!

Hi Susan!  Did you have a good Easter with the little ones?  We did the Easter Egg Hunt at the Park and had breakfast with the Easter bunny!  Such fun!  How I wish I was closer so I could share in more of these experiences.

Well I'm off to fix myself a cup of hot tea and grab my book. Sure hope everyone got to get out and enjoy this lovely weather!

Timbuktu

hat is the temp there?  It's in the thirties now, in Chicago.  We went for a walk today but in layers, winter coats and scarves!

Lakegirl1

It was beautiful in the Bloom/Normal area today, low to mid 70's!!  It was a little chilly tonight at the drive in movie!!!   We took the girls and my niece. 2/3 fell asleep during the movie!!!  The cotton candy and green river didn't even keep them awake!

mdg

Cold and rainy today in the west burbs.   Feels like winter again this morning!  I guess that means no working in the garden today

zap

Hi Rita (and everyone else):

I stop in here ever so often.  Easter was great and yes we had an egg hunt!  My daughter and my SIL just had their fourth child!  Whew!  Eldest is finishing up kindergarten. 

Susan

IllinoisLady

Karma is simply the law of cause and effect. If you plant an apple seed, you don’t a get a mango tree. If we practice hatred or greed, it becomes our way and the world responds accordingly. If we practice awareness or loving-kindness, it becomes our way and the world responds accordingly. We are heirs to the results of our actions, to the intentions we bring to every moment we initiate. We make ripples upon the ocean of the universe through our very presence.                                                                      Christina Feldman and Jack Kornfield

IllinoisLady

Zap/Susan....how great another grandchild.  There is a quote I run into now and then ( wish I had it now ) which says something to the effect :  Babies are God's proof that the world should go on.

I also think the younger generations are turning out to be pretty spiritual too.  Just a little observation on my part.  May not be true but I feel it so hope it is.

Blessings

Jackie

ritajean

Hey Susan....those grandchildren keep us young.  I am hoping to get mine each for a week sometime this summer!  

Lakegirl....where is the drive-in movie at?   Hope you are feeling better.  When is you next appt. with Dr. M?

For you readers...I just finished a great book,  "Accused" by Lisa Scottoline.  If you like mysteries, you should really like this one.  I think it came out in Oct 2013 but I just noticed it on the library shelf!

Well, I need to visit another one of my favorite threads and then I'm starting a new book!  Hope everyone had a good weekend.

Lakegirl1

Rita...there is one in Gibson City, Harvest Moon Drive In. It is much more fun when it is warmer!!!!

I see Dr M on Wednesday.  I think my biggest problem is the unknown!!  I need a plan, need to know what to DO...

ritajean

Lakegirl...We might have to try the drive-in this summer.  That would recreate many good old memories from the good ol' days!

Good luck Wednesday.  Be sure to let me know what he says and what you decide!

IllinoisLady

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade
of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you,
if the simple things of nature have a message that you
understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.
Eleonora Duse

IllinoisLady

"Our inner guidance comes to us through our feelings and
body wisdom first -- not through intellectual understanding. The intellect
works best in service to our intuition, our inner guidance, soul, God or higher
power - whichever term we choose for the spiritual energy that animates
life." ~ Christiane Northrup

IllinoisLady

We rise by raising others—and those who stoop above the fallen, stand erect. Robert G. Ingersoll

IllinoisLady

There is so much beauty around us, if we will only take the time to
notice it.  You can make a conscious
effort to look for the essence and therefore develop an appreciation for the
beautiful things in life.  Your days will
seem a lot less harried, I promise you. . . . The wonderful thing about beauty
is that we can store it in our minds to be played over and over again.

Luci Swindoll

Lakegirl1

Well, I met with him. I didn't like what he had to say, but understand. I will get Taxotere and Cytoxan for 4 rounds 3 weeks apart. There is some concern re: infection as I just had staph, so will have to watch that closely. Also, no swimming in the lake this summer...THAT SUCKS!!! I can still go, but I will be in the boat only...

2nd only to losing my hair is the nausea thing....I get motion sickness easily, I have really bad GERD...I am assuming these will both be made much worse by the chemo. Yeah, I get it...you will give me anti-nausea meds...he wasn't there after my 1st surgery when they turned off the pain meds as I had been given so much anti-nausea med...

Then, we talked about the precautions to take with the kids...that is a little scary.

And yet, I feel fine, but to make me better, you are making me sicker than a dog...I just don't get it....

Good night all...Hopefully, I will have a better disposition about all of this in the AM...sorry to be so salty...

Janice

lago

Lakegirl1 I had Taxotere and Carboplatin. After surgery I was so nauseous from the anesthesia. Narcotics make me nauseous too so probably from that as well. I never used the pain pump or any of the narcotics they gave me so when it all wore off from surgery I felt soooo much better. I'm telling you this because I had no nausea on chemo. During chemo infusion they had me take Emmend but after that I never took any meds for nausea. So don't be surprised if you don't have any. Even if you do have nausea they have good meds for that. You need to take it right away though and not wait till you start to toss. If you have the slightest feeling start taking them. Some folks don't even wait for that. I waited and found I didn't need them at all. BTW if the meds they give you don't work tell them. There are others but they are  more $$ so they don't prescribe them out of the gate.

Now as far as gerd… I have a history of that and sure enough right after the 1st TX I got it. They started me off with OTC Prilosuck (my special name for it). It never works for me. So then on to Protonics. Then my insurance changed and I switched to Nexium. I was on it the entire time through chemo then weened off. I also had to add Carafate Suspension at the end (have used this before with major gerd). But the meds controlled the gerd all through chemo.

Hair: Talk to MGD. She used cold caps to preserve her hair. I looked into it and decided it was a PITA and a bit too $$ for me. If your MO says its OK you might want to do this. BTW I do recommend icing your toes and fingers so you nails don't lift. It's not one of the more common SE but I got it, and a bad case of it. There are gloves and booties you can purchase for this too. I also sucked on ice chips  just before, during and about 10 minutes after Taxotere infuse to prevent mouths sores. It worked for me.

IllinoisLady

If we want to direct
our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions.
It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives,
but what we do consistently.

- Anthony Robbins

IllinoisLady

Lakegirl....at least now you know.  It is sometimes extraordinary how WELL we feel before we start txs. designed to eradicate cancer cells.  I know this firsthand because unlike Lago.....I tossed things up for six months ---  but as I was a fair amt. of pounds over my limit it did not ultimately have that much of an effect......and instead became an inspiration to shed un-needed and unhealthy pounds. 

I would not have changed a thing about my chemo, including the nausea because everything done is designed  to give you hopefully the highest and best opportunity  to be NED and go onto to a wonderful existence.  After your are done with it.....I hope you will be able to look back and congratulate yourself for giving yourself and your family the gift of you with your health restored.

Sometimes it is not easy, but it is so very much worth it. 

Blessings

Jackie

ritajean

Oh Janice,  I'm so sorry that you have to go through the chemo experience but you are young and I'm sure he wants to be aggressive with it.  Nobody wants to do it, but you can get through it and we will be here for you all the way.  Most of the side effects can be worked around once you know how it's going to affect you.  Everyone's body responds differently.  

Call the cancer center and find out when the next "Look Good, Feel Better" class will be meeting.  It is so worth your while.  They give hints on wigs, scarves, and other hair accessories.  You get a nice bag of cosmetics matched to your skin coloring and will meet other gals who are going through the same thing right now.  It is free!

When is your first treatment?  

I bought Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste to use during the treatment months and also asked for ice chips which I sucked on during treatments.  This helps keep away mouth sores and if you're prone to infections it might be a good thing for you to try.  Also, you might want to purchase some Senakot to have on hand because constipation is often an issue.  This takes care of the problem quickly. 

_{Lago is right.  They will give you antinausea meds and I was given a prescription (pills) nausea med to have at home.  The first time I waited for the nausea to hit and then started taking the pills  That was the wrong thing to do because I was playing "catch up."  From then on, I took the pills as soon as the infusion was done and continued with them as prescribed for about 3 days. That solved the problem.}  

_{Right now I know that it all seems pretty scary for you.  I was petrified when I walked into that room for the first time but the nurses out there are very good and helpful. Do you have a port (or will you be getting one)?  I never had a port so the worst part of the treatment was getting stuck each time.  Other than that, you just sit there while the chemicals drip.}

_{If you want to talk, either on the phone or in person, just let me know.  Hugs to you!}

_Rita

Lakegirl1

Thank you all for talking me off the ledge. Yesterday was a just not a good day...nothing  specific...just blah...songs on the radio...some one was nice...you never know what will set you off in those days. It also doesn't help we haven't seen the sun for I don't remember how long...I am very affected by that too.  I don't have many days like that.  Typically, I am in what can I DO mode. Action, I need to feel I am doing to make it better. 

I also realized this will affect my lake time this summer. That PISSES ME OFF!!!  That is the one place that is most peaceful to me. MO said I can go, but not get in the water.  Got it, I can live with that...let me ride in the boat!  Yeah, lots of sunscreen...duh..I'm a fair skinned blond.  I don't want to look like a lobster...However, by looking at the timing...it is very likely I will gave a chemo tx the week after the 4th of July. We were supposed to be there from the 3rd to about the 11th.  GRRRR..... 

I think I have figured it out about the hair thing...I will have to tell my girls more than I am ready to tell them. I feel this is forcing them to grow up way too fast. If I still had hair, I could fake it 'till ya make it".  I need to remember they will take their cues from me...so, we will talk about meds that get rid of bad stuff, unfortunately, it also will take my hair. We will have to reassure them it will come back.  I worry most about my oldest...heart on her sleeve kind of girl.  I am not prepared for them to loose some of the innocence of being little girls before they are ready!  We will make it fun with the wig and hats.  I'm sorry, I am just not a turban kind of girl...I think that freaked me out with that TLC mag you get with all the initial BC info.  It was traumatic!!! 

Lago...thank you...Prilosuck is quite accurate. Someone mentioned Tums...are you kidding, may as well be Tic Tacs!!!   I was on Nexium for both pregnancies and no issues. Hopefully, the MO will go to bat for me with the insurance if nec.  Worse comes to worse, I will bite the bullet and pay oop!!!  I don't need Barrets esophagus to go along with the other crap!!!  

Jackie...there is some peace...now let's get this over with. 

Rita...petrified is exactly it!!!  I do have to have a port installed.  5 day pre-op prep due to staph, port, wait 3-5 start chemo.  Gen surgeon receptionist tried to convince me I needed a consult.  No, I just needed it scheduled!!!  We have discussed it.  Rita...did you get a "tour" of the chemo area or Rx's to fill prior?  I left with nothing.  That adds to the anxiety as well...also, numbing cream for port???  I am all about being proactive with the anti-nausea meds...once it starts, I don't stop well at all!!!  

Has anyone heard about or tried Cymbalta for neurapathy?  I thought I read somewhere it helps. 

Rita...I will email the RN navigator.  I think that class is next week. Also, have you been to the "wig" room at Fox and Hounds?  

Again...thank you for your kindness, you guys get it!!!  Those who have never been in these shoes...just don't. 

Love and prayers

Janice 

jmg58

Janice,

I had cytoxan and taxotere and never got nauseous (had 3 so far) so don't worry about that part...I bet you'll be fine.  I was scared as heck to get in that chair.  I thought the minute I sat in it I would explode or something, but honestly, it was a little tough because it is not a happy pleasant thing, but nowhere near what I feared.  It was like having a malaise or flu for 3-4 days.  This last one was a little harder, but still not that horrible.  Just make sure to have a small breakfast the morning of chemo, chew on ice chips during the taxotere part.  Drink lots of fluids, like the equivalent of 7-8 bottles of water a day.  Rest as much as you can on day 3-5 after chemo.  In between sessions, I go in for fluids 1x a week and that helps, too. 

We will all help you through it! You can do it!  Hugs!

lago

Lakegirl this is me at a family affair after my 4th chemo in a wig and another a week later. (That was the only weekend I wore it). I wore scarves all the other times. I don't look good in hats unless I have hair and I hated the wig. The TLC catalog freaked me out too. They all look like they have cancer. Even with my scarves (I rocked the look) people who didn't know me didn't have a clue. They just thought that was my look. I highly recommend Anastasia Brow Duo if your eyebrows thin or fall out. My just thinned. No eyebrows will make you look ill. The Anastasia Brow Duo is a powder and very natural. I wear it to this day. Stays on nicely even in the summer.

 

IllinoisLady

Joy is what we are, not what we must get. 
Joy is the realization that all we want or need in life has been etched into
our souls.  Joy helps us see not what we are "going through,"
but what we are "growing to"--a greater sense of understanding,
accomplishment, and enlightenment.  Joy reveals to us the calm at the end
of the storm, the peace that surpasses the momentary happiness of
pleasure.  If we keep our minds centered on joy, joy becomes a state of
mind.



Iyanla Vanzant

IllinoisLady

Morning...glad you are stepping up a bit higher today Janice.  This is never a planned road to take, but a totally forced on you, one.  So sometimes the hurdles get really high.  I tend to take the view ( didn't actually do all that well during my txs. with it sometimes ) that the progression of my soul is very much linked to how I deal with the progression and problems that turn up in my body.  Of course, I waited fairly late in life to figure all of that out. 

As for your girls, you sound like you are going to present things in a wonderful way.  I do think children have not only lots more flexibility, but resilience and will tend to focus on how 'well' you were when they think back to this time.  Things that are handled with love, courage and dignity will help them recall your determined spirit more than any negatives. 

Blessings

Jackie

Timbuktu

Gorgeous Lago!

lago

Thanks Timbuktu. That second photo was at Illinois Ladies holiday party. First time I met these gals in person. My face has thinned. All my face fat in now in my middle

 

Lakegirl1

Lago...I could only hope I look as good as you do!  Your wig looks amazing.  I can totally see that you totally have the personality to rock the scarf!!  

Ok...laying it in the line...I don't want to look "dumb"!  I would not be considered the most graceful!!!   I may or may not have fallen off a sidewalk in downtown Chicago....totally sober!!!  So, I don't need help in that regard!!  LOL!!! 

I am making a decision to just roll with this...and to hell with it!!!  Frankly, I can keep fighting looking for the way out, but it just isn't there!!! 

 So...time to make an appt somewhere about a hair prosthesis.  Suggestions?  I live near Bloomington, but am always looking for a reason to go to the city (or any where close)!  I am craving California Pizza Kitchen!!!  The closest one to here, I think Oak Brook, unless there is one down by Tinkey Park!!!  

lago

lakegirl forgot to mention my hair was like my wig before chemo. Here is my hair transition linky. You will see on the left photo the old hair. That was 1 week before my BMX. Dates are in the lower corner. I hated that wig because it was too big. I have a lot of thick hair. We thinned my hair out (2nd photo from left) but it still wasn't enough. The woman who sold me the wig said it fit but it didn't. That's why I never liked it.

I got that wig at  naturallyyoursshop.com in Willowbrook. Just make sure someone fits you properly. BTW that scarf I was wearing was from this shop. It's all in the way you wear it and tie it. Most places show scarves worn in a way that look like you are going through chemo. Think Valerie Harper/Rhoda style if you choose scarves.

Some folks in the city go here: secondactchicago.com/products/wigs.cfm  I wish I had at least checked them out. They are practically walking distance but a long walk.

I'm sure a few others will have suggestions. The Looks Good Feel Better places usually have free wigs.Find a program near you  here: linky

Timbuktu

So helpful Lago.  I'm 5 days out from my first infusion.  They tell  me I should still have hair for my daughter's graduation from college on May 17.  But I should get cracking on a head cover of some kind.  I think I'm in denial...