The Chemosabe March Cruise

LisaSDCA

Diana, MisShapen - are you back yet with your tiaras and tap shoes on?
I'm feeling pretty decent this morning. Puttered about my garden. I'm simply not going to think about my elevated tumor markers until next month when they are re-tested, along with blood counts. Thank you, Jacque, for your reassurance that this chemo can wreak havoc on so many lab readings. On the positive side, my positive ANA (for my autoimmune diseases) read only 1:40 when it has been btwn 1:640-1:1280 ever since diagnosis. There is a collatteral benefit to crushing our immune systems!

Jacque - hope your mom comes through her knee procedure fine. What a drag to have to get the joint removed. But she sounds like a spunky lady and I bet she'll be hopping (or at least hobbling) about her care facility in no time!
Hope you hear from your oncologist soon. if not, call again and be just a little pest.
Hey, Angel - aren't you dancing yet?!?
Sara - you've definitely got to pace yourself - what with a baby, an active daughter, the HEAT and your being in the middle of chemo, girl! Glad you could at least cool off and rest until DH could come. I know, I know, it's very hard NOT to do something that would have been so easy a few months ago. Soon, we'll be able to again. By the time to rake Autumn leaves and decorate for Christmas we oughta be feeling far more functional!
Max - relieved to hear your MUGA score is right back where it belongs! YAY, you!

I haven't heard anything about how the attempt went to bring my DBIL out of his coma this morning. I'm trying not to call her and pester her, but I feeel maybe a text message coming on.

My mailcarrier just brought me an envelope with a $50 gas card and a $150 grocery card from a local BC non-profit! What an answer to prayer - it gets so tense here toward the end of the month, trying to make it on disability alone. Thanks be to God!

Lisa

LisaSDCA

Yeah, Diana!
I was composing my post when you checked in!
PARTY TIME in the ballroom!

Lisa

playwriter

YAY for all of y'all who are done! I am very happy for you! My last one is 7/11, and I can't wait. I keep telling myself, "In less than a month, I'll start feeling better again, and won't have to go through chemo anymore!" I am dancing with all of you precious ladies who are done, done done!

p.s. I turned 45 today! Just indulged myself all day long. Had brunch with a friend, got my nails done, saw the new Bruce Willis movie, and bought myself some flowers. It's a good day.

jacqniel

Playwriter,
I just read your blog and came here to sing you a birthday song - so, here goes:

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, dear Terri! Happy Birthday to you!
And many mooooore!

jacqniel

Mom didn't have her surgery due to a nasty cellulitis infection in the leg they planned on operating on. She was so ready to have this done, but we also want the surgery to be a success, so she has to go home, take antibiotics and try again in a couple of weeks.

I haven't heard from my onc. If he doesn't call tonight I will try again tomorrow. Sigh.

GrammyNancy

Terri Happy Birthday!!!!! Sounds like you had a great day, hope you have wonderful evening.

Lisa, so happy that you are feeling okay..and what a wonderful surprise to receive in the mail...you so deserve it. Prayers continue for Walt...let us know what you find out.

Diana, Congrats girl..I'm dancing the happy dance for you!

Jacque, so sorry to hear about your Mom..sounds like she is a real trooper. I'm so sorry that her surgery got put off, i'll pray for a speedy recovery. Keep calling your onc...you sure don't want to go into the weekend without talking to him.

Angel and MissS...where are you...are yall already in the ballroom dancing?

Nancy

Anonymous

Hello ladies!

I got home from chemo and was typing merrily along when a big storm blew in and cut off my electricity. Thankfully, I have it back!

So.... No Mo CheMo I can hardly believe it! I am dancing with Diana, but I don't think this is exactly ballroom dancing. [Diana is the crazy flapper. hee!]



Come on, we're waiting for the rest of you to arrive. We have punch and hor dourves for all! NED will be here!

I ended up spending all day at the cancer center. I had a nurse who kept failing to change my bag of meds whenever it ran out. I had to get her three times to change it! When my Taxol ran out, she was talking/helping others and I had to wait 20 minutes for her to hook up my Herceptin. I just kept telling myself it was the last one!

A big Happy Birthday to Terri! Sounds like you had a wonderful day and I'm sure you're having an even better evening with the family. May you have many, many more!



Lisa,
Glad you're feeling better. Hope you get an update on BIL soon. That is so cool about the little gift in the mail! You are very blessed!

Jacque,
Sorry your onc hasn't called. And right when I was thinking he was such a good guy. Does he not understand how we worry about stuff like that???

Also sorry to hear about your mom. We really do gear up mentally for things like that and it's very difficult when things don't go on as planned. Hopefully your Mom will get rid of the infection and be able to relax a while as she waits for her next date.

Nancy,
I'm in the ballroom eating your riblets. Hurry! You guys can carpool. YeeHaw! Everyone's invited!

I am getting quite the sneezing reaction from Taxol and the chemo head is starting. Oh well.... I can handle it!

BTW, this is the last thing I saw before I left this morning for chemo. My son emailed it to me... so sweet!



Thinking of you all and praying,
Miss S

dmknanny

Terri-Happy Birthday, girlfriend! So glad you got out end enjoyed yourself! You deserve it - and isn't it amazing how turning a year older is an AWESOME event now rather than a DEPRESSING one!?!?!?
Lisa-what a great treat in the mail. Prayers are bring answered all the time...my Onc does not do tumor markers at all for this very reason - they sometimes raise a lot of false positives that we really don't need to be worried with - we have enough on our plates as it is. But each Dr loks at things differently and I'm sure yours has a good reason to be following this.......hopefully next month they'll be back to normal.
Jacque-you sure have had a lot to deal with lately, sweetie......I agree with Nancy - call your onc tomorrow to see what's up, and if he does not know yet, call him again Friday...you do NOT want to go into this weekend with no answers....
I do not go back to see my onc fo a month since my last treatment was today - kinda scary but also knida nice - I have one more month off work, and at least I'll be able to book my social calendar without those pesky Dr appts in the middle.......of course I do have to go back to see the rad onc and also need to make an appt with a gynocologist during this time, but at least it will be a different Dr and a different facilty..
Diana

Keenie

Hi Jacque,
I sent you an email at your blog address, but it bounced back. I just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for you and know the Lord will give you the strength you need. I hope you hear from the doc soon so you can relax some.
Christine

Keenie

Happy Birthday, Terri!!!
I'll celebrate with you!
Any excuse for cake and a Bruce Willis movie works for me, btw!
Christine

maxgirl

Hey, cruisers!

I lost a long post Tuesday night and was too tired to re-do it, and now I'm way behind.

First off, Happy Birthday, Terri! Sounds like you had a great day. The previews for the Bruce Willis movie looked good -- how did you like it?

Congrats to all the graduates -- Nancy, MissS, Lisa, Diana! I could see you all doing the happy Snoopy dance. MissS -- loved the gifs!

Today would normally have been my treatment day -- but it wasn't. Oh, yay!

Diana: That's a great picture with your father. I'm so sorry to hear he is ill -- it has to be hard to accept his turning down treatment, but as we all know by now, it's definitely an individual decision. I have to ask you -- Are those your eyebrows, or are you a terrific artist?

I've had more appointments in the past two weeks than I have in the previous 4, and there's more to come -- mammo, muga, MRI, rad mapping, infusion nurse to flush my port catheter, periodontist, breast surgeon, and 3 visits with a lympedema therapist. And somewhere in there, rads will start. I also need a GYN appt. I'm tired just thinking about it.

Sara: It's too bad about your episode in the heat. It's so frustrating when we find we can't do what we know we should be able to do. Take care of yourself.

Jacque: Glad to hear 75% of your news was good -- hope it gets even better after you talk with your onc. Waiting for news is absolutely horrible.

Your poor mother -- I hope she's able to heal quickly from the cellulitis and the infection.

That's nice you'll have your son home with you for a few weeks. Time with our kids is always precious, but when they are growing up into new lives, it really is special.

Lisa: Sorry to hear you have those nagging worries hanging over your head. Hope it's all just SEs working their weird magic.

That's wonderful about the gift cards. You certainly deserve a break.

Your BIL has been in my thoughts since I read your first post. Your sister is a wonder to be thinking of you, too, during this scary time. I agree with MissS -- this whole experience has made me more aware of how important it is to support people all the way through bad times. I'm touched by the people who have been with me through the long haul.

MissS: Your grandchild is such a sweetie-pie! What a nice way to start your day, especially considering what a long day it turned out to be.

rosebud1962

Happy Birthday Terri!!!!! and Congrads again to everyone who finished this week. Tuesday I'll be doing that happy dance that I've long waited for. I hope everyone has a great weekend with little or no se. rosebud

LisaSDCA

Happy Birthday Terri!

Just getting in under the wire, Pacific Time

Lisa

LisaSDCA

Hey - is everybody hung-over from the post-chemo bash MisS was throwing?!? Loved that sweet grand-baby pic you posted!
Terri - did you have a great birthday? Hope your family pampered you!
Jacque - I feel so badly that your mom had to have her surgery postponed at the very last moment. I hope her treatment for the cellulitis works rapidly. I'm betting you haven't heard from your onc. due to the nursing staff not getting your message to him - wanna bet? Hope he gets through to you ASAP.
Dawn - why haven't we heard from you, woman? Angel? Well, there are quite a few we haven't heard much from, so check-ins would be appreciated all-round.
Max - that first non-treatment day must have been sweet. Mine will be 7/18 and I plan on staying FAR FAR away from my treatment center. Is your fatigue showing any signs of abating?
Diana - my onc. doesn't usually do tumor markers at this point either, but the order to have them done pre-chemo never got past the lab (long story) so they were just run after tx.#4. For all I know, they are half of what they would have been at the outset, but we never got a baseline. I'm trying not to think about it.

I was returning home from a doctor's appointment (actually two) and had stopped enroute to pick up some veggies. I was feeling totally spent. It is so frustrating that these days I seem to be able to do ONE thing. Go to one appointment - then I must stop. Fix one meal. Hang out one load of clothes. Join a friend for lunch? That shoots the rest of the day, for sure. Today I am only on Day#3 since my last infusion, so I would normally not be trying to do anything that required me leaving the house. But I had been waiting for this appointment for two weeks.
ANYWAY - I came home feeling kinda disappointed with myself and a little bit self-pitying. And there, on my front porch was the brightest, cheeriest arrangement of flowers that you ever saw - for me! Now, I know y'all get flowers and stuff too - and don't feel a need to post about every one of 'em - me, too - but the timing on this was just too perfect. And the sentiment on the card was to wish me a smile today - which worked FAST! One of the appointments had been for a screening with a LCSW for determining if I 'qualify' to see a therapist/MD for my mounting symptoms of depression. Well, the dude got me an appt. on MONDAY, so I guess I got the point across.

Thank you so much for all of the prayers and good wishes for my dear BIL. He was gradually awakened from his coma noontime yesterday and was weaned off the ventilator by late afternoon. He is still in ICU, but every hour his body doesn't go into sepsis is good.

Wishing good things this weekend for my Chemosabe sisters,
Lisa

pmarsh34

Wow, I don't come online for a couple of days and so much has happened!

Diana, many prayers for your bil. And your sister, too!

I am glad to hear so many blessings of nomochemo from so many of you! I will be doing that happy dance myself. My last chemo is July 5th. se's be damned!!!

While I was reading posts, it become apparent that there are quite a few who have not posted in quite some time. I hope everyone is doing okay.

Today is my oldest daughter's 12th birthday. And she is already a typical moody teenager. Oh how I look forward to the next 8 years!!!! LOL!!

dmknanny

Max
Yes, they are my eyebrows. I guess it was good I was never diligent on keeping them waxed and shaped pre-cancer---I had more to work with, so when I lost them there was still some left! I actually had to pluck a few last week that were really wild - I still have eyelashes too, although not alot. And hair is starting to return on my legs....I've had to shave a few times, which is NOT a good thing! I was hoping to get through another month or so without that hassle - oh well, I guess it's good progress!
Lisa
funny you should mention the depression - I have been in a funk that I can't shake. I should be thrilled, as chemo ended yesterday, but I am more depressed than I have been in a long time...instead of being in bed sleeping I am here because I can't sleep. I hope this passes - it sucks! And I already take antidepressants, so that won't help........oh well, may tomorrow be a better day! So glad to hear the news about your BIL....
Have a great weekend everyone
Diana

GrammyNancy

Good morning Sisters!

Lisa, I'm so happy to hear that Walt is out of the coma and will continue to pray for good news! Isn't it nice to get those unexpected pick me ups?

Pmarsh, Happy Birthday to your daughter! I have two and often wondered if they would live through their teens or if I would kill them first. Do know that by the time they hit their 20's they become wonderful people that you are so proud of.

Hope the depression fog lifts for everyone!

Love to my Sisters,
Nancy

Angelflight

Hi Ladies,

Sorry I didn't get to post earlier when MY CHEMO WAS OVER!!!! Had to be in court first thing Thurs. morning then off to the onc for my Neulasta shot. I am soooo happy this cruise is ending for me. I see the onc in a month to start on my Armidex and in 2 months the surgeon for my port removal. Just keeping my fingers crossed that this chemo has done it's job and I won't ever have to be on another cruise again...(unless it's to the Caribbean this time)...lol

I felt so good about being done that yesterday I went through the whole house cleaning and cooking. I've been feeling great the past 2 days and am taking advantage of it until the crash hits. That's usually this next week sometime. I just know that this is the last time for now. I'm soooooooo looking forward to getting my hair back or at least to see some fuzz when it gets here. Hopefully by Christmas we'll all have a head of hair again. That's been my worst tag accross my forehead all this time.

My underarm infection is starting to clear up slowly but it's still there. Nothing I can't handle though.

Just ordered my new prostesis and some new bras last week and hopefully they'll be here soon. It will be nice to get rid of the softee's I've been using.

Sorry to hear about everyone's troubles with family and se's. Seems when we're down ourselves we still have to contend with others in the family being sick as well. It never ends. I will be praying for each of us and our families in my prayers.

I got an exercise bike and treadmill a couple of months ago and the Dr. said I can start using it in about 5-6 weeks to try to loose some of this weight I've put on. He said there's no point until then since the steroids and everything will take that long to start getting rid of. Believe me I'm counting the days until then.

Congrats to those who finished up this week as well. I'll be doing the happy dance for a long time as long as this NEVER comes back. That's what I pray for us all. I'm one of the lucky ones and don't have to do RADS so I'm DONE FOR GOOD!!!!

Love,
Angel

maxgirl

We've all been through so many changes -- physical, mental, emotional -- so quickly, with too many horribly important decisions to make -- it's remarkable that we're not all curled into our chairs, sucking our thumbs. (I only do that between 10 and midnight. ) It seems you just get used to one thing, and something else comes along. This week I'm up, last week I was in the pits. I'll ditto Nancy, I hope the depression fog lifts for everyone.

Lisa: It's nice those flowers came just when you needed them, and I'm glad you got your appointment scheduled quickly too.

I know just what you mean about being able to do only one thing a day. It took me the longest time to learn that. But the fatigue is lifting -- just in time for me to start radiation tiredness in a few weeks. Sigh. Meanwhile, while I do get chemo tired -- not just regular tired, but a sick feeling of not being able to do one more thing -- it happens much less often. I've worked up to exercising semi-regularly without worrying that I won't be able to go to work afterwards.

Keeping in mind that the SEs lasted longer with each tx, these are the ones still bothering me:
* tongue still stings slightly
* some foods still taste funny. Sweet sometimes tastes salty.
* Gave up iron pills so my "system" is almost back to normal -- hallelujah.
* Nail beds are tender, but not as bad. My thumb and index fingernails look gross, but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to lose them.
* Neuropathy in my finger tips and toes that is slowly getting better.
* Blurry eyes, especially in the morning.
* My constantly runny nose hasn't stopped. Maybe it's allergies.
* Have an ingrown toenail that I blame on the edema from Taxol that made my legs and feet swell.

pmarsh: Happy birthday to your daughter! You definitely have some emotional seesaws ahead, but she will turn out to be a wonderful human being.

With my guys I found it was increasingly high drama from 11-13 (13 still makes me shudder), then they slammed their bedroom doors and didn't come out for two years. At 15-16 the hormone storm had settled down, but then they got their driver's licenses and we didn't really see them again before they left for college. I exaggerate, of course...but not much. Anyway, they did turn out to be wonderful young men (27 and 24).

Diana: I hope that funk lifts for you. I went through several cycles over the past few weeks -- also while on anti-depressants. I wonder if it could be another real SE, not just an emotional reaction.

Your eyebrows look great. Mine haven't fallen all the way out either (although I'm waiting for that late Taxol reaction I've read about), but the hairs that remained were all the grey, wild ones. Sheesh. Luckily my wig has long bangs, and I can do something with eyebrow pencil.

Well, it's 11 am, I got up at 6:30, and I'm still in my PJs. Heading for the shower!

Keenie

Hey Girls,
Nice to hear from those ladies that have been to the bar this week. And nice to hear that energy is coming back!

I'm excited to have my hair growing on my head - not so excited about the hairs on my chin reappearing! I'm thinking about going to get some laser hair removal . . . I think being hairless everywhere is about the only benefit to the chemo I can think of. Besides being cured, that is!!!

My daughter's bday is next Tuesday and she'll be 13. Going on 30 . . . We're having 7 girls for a sleep over. Am I crazy?! The girls are all very nice, and I've known them (and taught them too) since they were in Kindergarten.

Have a wonderful, sunny, blessed weekend,
Christine

HollyHopes

HI Ladies,

All is well in SoCal! Feeling great -able to do most things including walking the dog twice a day. See the rad onc on Thursday this week to map out the next step. Planning tentatively to return to work on July 9th. Which of us are going on to rads and can we transfer our group over to that page?? I think someone suggested 'Nukem Boobies' as a name...

Hugs to all...couldn't have gottent his far without my March chemo sisters!

whitecotton

I am so sorry I have not posted much but I have been so sick. I can't believe I am in my third week and I am still having SE. Anyway that's just me whining. I just wanted to thank all you ladies for your support. I can never express how much it means to me. I am so proud of all of you and if I could I would do a happy dance for all of you that are done.
My last is on Wednesday.
all the best
Melissa

GrammyNancy

Bar Reservations July 2 - July 6

Monday:

Tuesday: Rosebud (LAST ONE!!!)

Wednesday: Whitecotten (LAST ONE!!!)

Thursday: PMarsh (LAST ONE !!!)

Friday:

Prayers for smooth sailing!

whitecotton

Oh my gosh GrammyNancy seeing it in writing makes it so real! I can do this, I can do this. Crossing my fingers no hospital this time!
melissa

Keenie

Hey Melissa,
Praying for you to have strength and courage for the last one!
Happy Canada Day, too!!
Christine

Anonymous

So good to find you feeling well, Holly! There is a July Rads thread started. It has a gal who didn't do chemo, so I have joined her. We can all meet there or so whatever... I'm easy.

Melissa, Rosebud, and Patti! Last one this week. YAY!! Here's to no side effects!!!

Keenie, the birthday party sounds great! What could be better than a group of young, giggly girls? Are they all boy crazy yet?

Max, you cracked me up with your explanation of what happens to kids during the teen years. Not too far from the truth, though!

I hope everyone who is feeling low will start to feel better soon. I am thinking of you all and praying!

Love you all,
Miss S

whitecotton

Christine thanks so much for your prayers that was so sweet. Happy Canada day to you too. Last night there were some fireworks at the school 2 doors down so I could watch them from the house. Felt like I was celebrating a bit.
Miss S thanks for the no SE wish! I am doing rads as well. I met the doc last week and I go for my markings on the 20th. I was asked to go into 2 studies any one else asked to go into studies?
Melissa

Keenie

Hi Melissa,
Yes, I was asked if I wanted to enter two trials/studies when I was starting chemo. I wasn't asked about rads, but from reading the rad board, it seems like there is a "Canadian Protocol" out there in radiation land. My family doc told me early on that I'd probably be doing 3 weeks or 5 weeks of rads - he'd had patients recently going for only 3 weeks. That was me too! I think the Canadian way involves slightly higher doses for shorter times and then some ladies also have "boosts". My friend who went through this last year had 20 tx and no boost. We're all so unique and special!

We saw fireworks at the football game on Saturday night and then our neighbours out here in the sticks had a few going up last night. It wasn't Epcot Centre, but it was pretty cool!
(Notice my Canadian spelling today?! )

Glad you're almost done, honey. Hang in there.
Christine
PS: Some of the girls are into the boys. Some, like mine, endure them.

whitecotton

I was not asked about studies for chemo. Just for rads weird eh? The first study is to see if it is genetics that have any effect on the people that rad SE's. They take your blood the day before your first rads and then my breasts are check closely everyday of rads to see what SE I will have if any. So I figure this one was a no brainier.
The second is for taking bone strengthen drugs to lessen or prevent bone mets. The study is for 3 years of drugs and a total of 10 years of watching me like a hawk. I have to admit I like the watching closely part. They told me that bone mets are the most common reassurance so I feel this may be a good study to be on. I will get the name of the drug to you later but is biso...something. The are taking 6000 people on the study in both Canada and the USA.

Christine thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I have been really having a hard time with this chemo. Also any time I have felt just the slightest bit healthy I have been working. I own my own business so there is no disability for me.

All in all I just wanted to let you all know I still have a very positive attitude and smile when I can and pray for all you ladies for all the horrible stuff that is happening to you with chemo and life in general. But sometimes don't you just want to ask this question. " How much more sh*t are they going to pile on me" The funny thing is we all have the strength and we all seem to find it in the end. Sometimes we find it on our own sometimes we find it here. During chemo I will admit I have needed to find more strength here, so thanks so much ladies
Melissa

Keenie

Hi Melissa,
Not to be too personal, but are you considered pre or post menopausal? I know that with some of the hormone therapies for post meno gals, one side effect can be a loss of bone density. I'm considered pre meno and will be on Tamoxifen for 2 years, then re-evaluate. I think by doing the study, you are helping so many others - and that's a wonderful thing. And, the study doesn't seem too yucky. Unlike the one they offered me, which was longer chemo and ovarian suppression drugs that would give me some more unwanted s/e.

I think I'd really like to be watched closely for the next 10 years! I don't see my onc until September and I find myself wanting to go see my family doc just to visit. I guess that now we're in the "club", here in Alberta, we'll be having mammos and checks every 6 - 12 months. I'll find out more when I see the onc in the fall.

I can see where having to work as well as be in tx is such a burden. I've been blessed to be at home for the last 4 months and because I'm a teacher, I can have July and August to recoup as well. I'm sending you {{hugs}} but wish I could do more.
Christine