The Chemosabe March Cruise

ohmmomma

Hi Ladies, I'll be joining you all on the cruise. Starting my first chemo taxotere & cytoxan March 5th. Had a lumpectomy & 4 lymph nodes removed. Half a centimeter showed in the 4th lymph node. I'm also doing a complementary alternative subcuatneous injection 3 times a week & I'm eating only organic food, juicing & reading up on nutrition & alternative/complementary ways of dealing with this. Although pre-operative testing appeared to fall somewhere between the Spanish Inquisition & Medieval torture, the Yoga Three part breath got me through it all with little discomfit. Wishing you all good health and speedy recoveries!

ohmmomma

Hi Ladies, I'll be joining you all on the cruise. Starting my first chemo taxotere & cytoxan March 5th. Had a lumpectomy & 4 lymph nodes removed. Half a centimeter showed in the 4th lymph node. I'm also doing a complementary alternative subcuatneous injection 3 times a week & I'm eating only organic food, juicing & reading up on nutrition & alternative/complementary ways of dealing with this. Although pre-operative testing appeared to fall somewhere between the Spanish Inquisition & Medieval torture, the Yoga Three part breath got me through it all with little discomfit. Wishing you all good health and speedy recoveries!

dmknanny

Hi girls!

I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted! 

Marsha, I am so sorry that you are having to go through this again so soon.  Please stay strong and know we are with you in prayer....

Lisa, besides tiredness I did not have any side effects from radiation.  It will be over before you know it.

MissS, have you considered seeing if there is a massage school in your area where you might be able to take a CE course on lymphodema massage?  I am thinking about taking it at our local school so I can offer it to clients at my yet-to-be named and yet-to-be opened women's cancer boutique.

Alaskadeb and Mom 07 - i hope going back to the beginning of this thread will help you through your treatments.  I know I would not have made it without the support, love, companionship, understanding and prayers from this sisterhood!

DH was recovering very well - until he developed an abcess in his incsion this past weekend.  So back to the Dr we went, had it opened and drained, and he's on antibiotics now.  He's supposed to go back to work next Monday, but if I'm still packing an open wound I don't know about that.  He's a maintenance mechanic so he uses all of his body, abdomen included, often.  The good news, though is that he does NOT need cchemo or rads!  Yeah!

I know noone wants to think about it, but March is colon cancer awaremenss month.  So, if you're 50 or older and have not had a colonoscpy, please call you Dr and schedule one.  You did NOT go through all this other happy horsecrap to end up with a different cancer that is preventable through this screening! And, as was so eloquently stated earlier, cuck fancer!

Diana

Yogi70

Sign me up for the Cruise.  I start Chemo this Tuesday  4 dd AC  12 Weeks Taxol  ( 6 wks rad) 52 weeks Herceptin.   Yolanda Peters age 37  Anniston , Alabama.  Hello Cruise Mates!!!

whitecotton

Diana

That is such fantastic news about our DH, no chemo or rads. I am so happy for you and your family. Your family has had enough to deal with already.

I am not sure if I told you ladies that I was tested for the BRAC gene. The goverment paid for it here in Canada but I have to wait for 6 months to a year.

Boy that's a long time to wait. I hate waiting. I am praying that I do not have it for my 3 daughters sake.

i still have herceptin until june.

i have a funny story. We had the worst snow storm in years this weekend and I was home alone and had to shovel myself. I loved it. I felt so alive, to think last year I was so sick and this year I am shoveling snow from my driveway. I am so grateful for even the worst chores. Life is a gift the good and the bad.

god bless

Melissa

Keenie

Melissa,

Enjoying the snow?!  Spoken like a true Canadian! 

I agree with you though, that it is such a nice feeling to feel well.  Hope everyone else is hanging in there.  It feels like Spring, here in the West.

Christine

dancer51

Hey Everyone,

 I love a good cruise.  I hear this one has all inclusive chemo cocktails.  My cocktail is on March 17.  I'm scared and anxious but I'm climbing aboard for the ride of my life.  I have my life jacket on, just waiting for the big waves.

marshabel

Hi, everyone - hope you are all doing well.

    Well, it's official - almost exactly one year to the date of embarking on our cruise, I'm climbing back on board. I'll be starting a new chemo regimen next week, probably Monday. Here's my story in a nutshell starting in Feb. 07: Lumpectomy, 8 rounds of chemo AC/T, 34 rads completed 10/29/07. First round of follow up scans on Feb. 1 showed an enlarged axillary node, so I had an axillary dissection and biopsy. Only 1 of 10 nodes was malignant, but because of my triple neg status and the immediate recurrance, I'm now stage 3 and have to start chemo immediately. The MOST worrisome thing to me is that my onc said that AC/T were supposed to be the most effective for me, so this time we're going back to an older treatment of CMF, 2 weeks on, then 2 weeks off.  There doesn't seem to be a lot of info written about CMF on these boards.  Do any of you have any insight on this treatment plan?

Thanks for listening,

Marsha 

playwriter

OH MY GOSH!

Sorry I haven't been around lately, just been so bz with life. It took me about 6 months post-chemo to get my energy back, and what with getting new flooring installed, starting a part-time job, etc...

But MARSHA!

Girl, I am so sorry. that sux bigtime. i have just been praying for you and AlaskaDeb as i have been reading tonight and catching up. I feel my boobs every day these days, as i am so afraid of a recurrence. i'm tripneg, too.

i will be praying for you. is there anything you need? are you okay financially?

i don't know where you are in your spiritual walk, but there are a couple of prayer books on healing people sent me after my dx, that helped me. i would be happy to send you copies, if that is something you would like.

playwriter

Someone asked about nutrition. well, i haven't made it thru a nutrition book yet, as i have several laying about and i've read a bit through each of them. but, here is what i have gathered so far:

turmeric is your friend. it actively fights cancer cells. get it with at least 90% corcuran(sp?)

100 mg of coQ10 2x a day

eat tons of veggies. organic, if possible.

garlic is supposed to fight cancer as well.

fish oil, flax oil, borage oil or primrose oil are fats that can help you beat cancer.

take a basic mineral supplement with calcium, magnesium, chromium, and selenium, and kelp.

drink tons of water, so yr pee is clear

take some time every day to breathe deeply: in for a count of 8, hold for a count of 8, out for a count of 8

avoid dairy and gluten

take vitamins A,C,E and B6

lycopene also fights cancer -- it is more concentrated in tomato sauce and ketchup than in raw tomatoes. regular ketchup has high fructose corn syrup in it, tho, so buy the organic kind.

avoid sugar. sugar suppresses your immune system for anywhere from 4 to 10 hours, so your body can't fight cancer cells during that time.

positive attitude. your mind tells your body what to do. so stay positive. cherish your loved ones, be thankful, be at peace with God.  

exercise a lot.

marshabel

Thanks, Playwriter -

   I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. I'm doing OK, just still trying to mentally process everything.  So far, my family and I are making due financially, spiritually, etc.  It really is one day at a time right now, but time will help, I'm sure. It really  helps to be able to talk to you ladies, because YOU KNOW, you understand like no one else can.

Thanks for being here!

Marsha 

GrammyNancy

Diana, so sorry to hear about your husbands problems but so happy that chemo is not in his future.  Colonoscopy for me in April.

Melissa, I with you girl...herceptin for me until July.  I have to go every week.

Teri, thanks for the tips...I'm trying.  Think the arimidex is adding a bulge in the tummy area.

Marsha, so sorry to hear your news but I think it is good news that only one out of 10 showed positive.  Prayers for you and your family as you begin this new journey.  We are here for you girl.....((((Marsha))).

HollyHopes

Dearest Marsha and everyone...

so saddened to learn of your recurrence.  it is the nightmare we all live with.  i am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as i do for all of us every single day.

this journey just goes on and on...

hugs from Holly

Anonymous

Marsha,

I am so sorry to hear that you are now considered stage 3. I am grateful that you did not get a mets dx, tho. That darn triple neg status just reeks. Unbelievable that you had a stubborn little node rebelling against you. My prayers are with you and I know you are in good hands. I'm sorry, but I really don't know anything about CMF.

So nice to see Holly, Terri, Nancy, Keenie, and Melissa again. Dancer, this is an old cruise, but you're welcome to hang around and cruise with Marsha. She may be joining the current March group, too. You'll probably find them to be more active.

May God bless us all,

Miss S

rosebud1962

Sorry Marsha that you have to start this all over again!  I'm a stage 3 also but I've been that from the start.  I don't know about CMF since I had FEC but I'm sure someon on these boards has had that treatment. 

Keenie

Hi Marsha,

The only info I have about CMF is that is could have been an option for me instead of AC. I'm in Canada and it may be different for you . . . The CMF is usually delivered over 6 months and sometimes it is in a pill and not an I/V. It is an older treatment program, but I believe it has had success. I wanted to be done all my tx in a shorter amount of time, so I went for the AC. I'm sure you'll find a group here to give you some answers.



Please let us know how you're doing so we can keep you in our prayers.

Christine ;-)

dancer51

Hey Everyone,

I go for my 2nd tx today and I'm nervous and anxious.  I want this all to go away.  I hate what those drugs do to me.  I get so sick.  I keep telling myself this time it will be better than the last time.  Oh God, I sure hope so!   After today I have 2 more AC and 4 taxol to do.  It seems like forever.  I'm trying to stay positive and keep focused but it is so hard.  I'm hoping by the time my twins grad from high school in June I'll be feeling somewhat better and able to enjoy and go to their commencement.  If all goes well, I'll be through chemo in May.  I'll just be starting rads.  This will not take my spirit.  If God takes me to it, He will take me through it.  I'm counting on this!!!  Loads of love and lots of hugs to all.  I'm wishing everyone strength, courage, and a whole lot of love.

Mary

rosebud1962

Mary,  my first chemo tx was March 22 of last year.  It's almost been one year now since that date and I still remember it like it was yesterday.  When I read your post it hit home.  I had my daughter's wedding then to think of and I was so sick.  You can do this!  We're here too.  If it wasn't for these great ladies to help, I don't know what I would have done.  Wish I could be there to hold your hand....A BIG hug to you and a little prayer..Chris

playwriter

Mary,

big hugs to you from texas. i remember that feeling of dread, going to another tx. do you have all your stuff -- a jug of water to drink, some ice to keep yr hands and feet cold, laxatives, and so on?

i postponed my 4th tx a week so i could attend my neice's graduation.

lynn770

Hello!  I'm new and joining the March group.  I'm 35 and I live in Houston, TX.  My first chemo was on March 12th so its been a whole week since my first treatment.  It wasn't so bad.  I was more anxious than I needed to be, I guess.  Everything went so smoothly, I can hardly believe that I've even had chemo.  I'm in for 4 rounds of Cytoxin & Taxotere followed by a Neulasta shot on the next day.  I had my blood taken on Monday for my first panel.  They're going to do blood work every week for the first couple of rounds.  On the 2nd day after (is that what you refer to as Day 2? or is it Day 3? I haven't quite figured my way around yet), I had problems focusing on letters.  I could read but everything looked out of focus to me.  I tried taking out my contacts but it was out of focus with the glasses too so I just put them back in.  I sort of felt like I'd had one too many glasses of wine for a couple of days but it cleared up on Monday.  I had a couple of lower back spasms that felt funky but passed really quickly on Monday and I haven't had any since, I'm wondering if that's the Neulasta that everyone talks about. I'm feeling almost back to normal now.  Waiting for the next symptom I guess.  It's a pain in the butt, but I can do this!  Thanks for listening.

Keenie

Hey Mary,

My second tx was the worst for me - just because I was so stressed about feeling sick. I really did okay cos I followed all the advice about staying on a med schedule, drinking water, and resting when you need it.



You'll be just fine by June - you'll be cute and bald, and maybe a little tired, but I'm sure your twins will be ecstatic to have their mom celebrating with them. Hang in there! Lots of people will be praying for you.

Christine ;-)

GrammyNancy

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!!!!  Mine was great...family around and wonderful services at church.  We've come a long way girls...this time last year was a pretty scary time.

Hugs to you all,

Nancy

bcs75

Dudky 1 , I think you and I will be starting our own cruise in April. I meet with my oncologist on Monday to find out when I start. Lumpectomy 16 days ago, so i would imagine it will be in April. Good luck to all who are starting sooner!! Thank God we have each other!!

playwriter

went to see my BCS a week ago for a checkup. i had him ultrasound both sides thoroughly, as my initial dx was the same as Marshabel's, and i thought, "well, if mine's come back, too, i need to know." he didn't find anything, so he wouldn't do a CT, since i had a clear PET in August, but he did schedule me for a m'gram in June. i asked for a BSGI as well. i had a copy of the radiologist's report from my m'gram in December, and he'd recommended Breast Specific Gamma Imaging, since I tend to have dense tissue. Make sure y'all are getting copies of all yr medical records, bcz if i hadn't had that report in hand, i wouldn't have known to ask, and it didn't seem like my BCS was going to recommend that on his own....

my hair is long enough to part! DH says i don't have "pity hair" any more, lol. i dyed it brown about a month ago, so i no longer have chinchilla-colored hair.

hope y'all are doing all right.

much love,

terri 

rosebud1962

Congrads on the scan Terri, finding nothing is great.  Hair..gosh I do hate the curls that I have and mine was long enough last week to cut in my short style.  So far, after the cut, just the top has curls.  I know I should be happy I have hair but I just want to look like my normal self again.  Hugs to all..rosebud

Keenie

Hey Rosebud,

Not sure if you can see in my avatar pic, but my hair is crazy with curls. It's really grown in the last 2 months and I'm going to a major trim next week. Part of me hopes it stays curly, but I hear you when you say it would be nice to be normal again.

Terri, glad to hear your scan was normal. It encourages me to know that!

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Christine

GrammyNancy

Good news on your scan Terri!

Rosebud, I can totally relate to the hair thing.  Mine is kinky and so baby fine, hard to do anything with it.

Well, DH and I are heading off to Costa Rica for 10 days.  I'm really looking forward to this trip.....last year this time we had planned a trip to Ireland which we had to cancel.

Hugs to all,

Nancy

bcs75

Taurie, (dawn) how are you doing with your treatments. I start the same treatment next week. I am having a port put in the same day they give me my first treatment.. I am soooooooooo nervous. anyone else starting chemo in April????? or can we tag along with the march cruise ::)

marshabel

Hi, everybody -

   Terri, GREAT NEWS on your tests! (That will be be me next time, I'm not licked yet!)  I'm so proud of the way that you take charge of your own health and testing by being so informed, too. If there is something that all newbies should learn from us vets, it's that you HAVE to stay on top of your own diagnosis and treatment, don't you agree?

  Christine and Rosebud, I can totally relate about the hair, too. When mine first started coming in, it was kind of a really pretty, shiny silver, but now it's  like a mousy salt and pepper gray. But at least I still have it, and I may/may not lose it this time on my new treatment of CMF.

   Nancy, I  hope that you have a wonderful trip! Have a mojito for me, and bring back lots of pics for us!

  As for me, I'm doing OK. I have had one treatment so far of CMF, which consists of oral Cytoxin for 14 days, and infusions of the other 2 drugs on day 1 and day 8.  So far, the SE are not quite as brutal as the AC/T last year, so that's a blessing. I'm still fighting!

    It was good for me to talk to you ladies tonight......

 Hugs to you all,

 Marsha 

Keenie

Hey Marsha,

Glad to hear you're doing okay with the CMF. I've heard that most people on that protocol don't lose their hair, but it may get a little thinner. Bet you think your treatments are a full-time job with all the coming and going! It's so great to hear that determination in your voice!



Here's some Kindergarten humor for you all. I have a new Ed Assistant who's name is Mrs. Collyer. One of my little boys came up to her this week and said, "Excuse me, Mrs. Cauliflower? Could you please help me?" We both laughed and now everytime I go to ask her anything, I have to really think hard and call her by her correct name!!



You are all in my prayers for continued good health and blessings.

Christine ;-)