Starting Chemo in May 07

lizzzy

Lorain,  My PS said no chest exercises, so you may want to avoid the push ups.  I think it's ok to exercise as long as you work up to it.  Just keep an eye on the arm.  the issue is that you had lymph nodes removed, not whether they were positive or negative.

I had my first rad today.  they also took more xrays and I had to talk to the nurse about skin care and diet stuff.  I was there for almost two hours because the nurse kept running in and out of the room.  she stressed me out.  My biggest issue is going to be time I think.  I can't believe you had to drive 3 hours--what a nightmare! Mine is 15 minutes one way. 

Hope everyone's doing well tonight.  I must go do some work.  TTYL. 

Traci-----TripNeg

You know, we can flag this conversation so that every time a post is posted, we are notified via email and when you click on the link, all you have to do is put in your password and you are directed to the last post.

I'm doing that. I like it better! (I will check back at Yahoo when pics are posted? (which I love!!!!!!))

I can't believe she drives 3 hours either!!!!!!! Holy Moly!!!!!

Hugs, Traci

cinrae123

Hey Traci,,,,,,,,,,how do we flag that?  Sorry bout seeming stupid,,,,,,but I guess I am,,,,,cause I have no idea on how to do that,,,,,,,lol  I like that idea instead of having to go to the thread each time, right?

Cindy

cinrae123

ooooooo and Lorain,,,,,,,,,I did start taking the Biotin, started a couple of weeks ago.  Not sure if its making a difference,,,,,hair is growing just very very slowly.  O well,,,at least its coming in.  lol  Probablly about 3/4 to 1 in long.  It took a while for it to start filling in,,,,,but it is,,,,,,,,,slowlyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.  And yeah, I cant imagine driving 3 hours every day for rads,,,,,,my drive was like 10 min each way.

Liz,,,,,,,,,,good luck with rads,,,,,,,,,I am sure you will do just fine.  Just keep the area moisturized.  I used Miaderm,,,,,,,,but do what ever your onc radiologist suggests.

Had another echocardiogram,,,,,and it turned out normal.  I have to do those every 3months while I am on the herceptin.  No biggy though.  I go to the hospital that my husband works at and in his department too,,,,,,,so I get VIP treatment.  lol  He is a registered nurse in the cardiology dept.  Convenient having someone in the healthcare business.  lol  Few little perks here and there is always nice.  

Thank God.

Have a great weekend all.

Cindy

Traci-----TripNeg

Hey Cindy!

Yea on the hair!!

I stopped taking that Biotin regularly because I can't stand the smell. Man, that stuff stinks. I have to take it and follow immediately with food.

At the bottom of LouLou's (I wonder how she is) post, on the left, is a button to add it to your favorite conversations. Then, you go to your home page and there you will see the fave conversation and there is a little teeny link beside the thread name to add email notification.

Home alone on another Friday night. I could have gone somewhere but....whatever. I'm watching some funny movie....The Mirror Has Two Faces with Barbara S. and ....crap...I can't think of his name. Jeez....

Hugs girl, Traci

lizzzy

Hey Traci.  I really like that movie.  I always watch it when it comes on.  William Hurt?

Cindy, So far so good on the rads.  They want me to just use pure aloe vera.  for now.  and then later they said I may need cortisone cream.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Traci-----TripNeg

No...the guy has brothers...not Baldwin...he played in a stupid movie where he landed from out of space and landed in Debra Wingers house....

cinrae save me tonight.....she's so freaking funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lizzzy

Jeff Bridges!  I always get those guys mixed up. 

Traci-----TripNeg

Hey y'all. Cindy from CA saved my ass last night.

Just wanted y'all to know....if you are ever down and out, call her.

Hugs, Traci

ps Aunt Vir....HOW 'BOUT THEM GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! My bro's live in is from NY...and all her family...I'm surprised the house survived!!!

chemo072

Cindy, great news on the echo...

Traci - are you down and out?  You of the cheerful, funny emails? What's up girl?! Big hugs.

Anyone else have family issues post-cancer?  I seem to have spent the day standing up for myself (everything is NOT going back to the way it was, I am no longer Ms. Accomodation, other people can schedule around me, or at least schedule with me, and I want what I want) and boy is it exhausting.  I want to crawl under the blankets and not talk on the phone again for many moons.

And what do I do about friends who never, ever said they were sorry I had cancer, or offered to help?  They still send emails like we're friends, but have they called once?  No.  I'm mad.  I remember liking them, but I'm hurt about the no contact.  And you never know what's going on in other people's lives, so their worlds may have turned upside down, but for whatever reason I'm upset with them.  Do I call and tell them?  Doesn't seem like the right foot to put out there.....write a letter in my journal and burn it?  How to get those feelings addressed?  Wish I could just let it all go in the wind, let it be what it will be....but these little petty feelings keep tugging at me.  

Maybe this is the point post-cancer where the anger finally comes out?

Anyone else angry?!

I don't understand, I was SO happy just two weeks ago.

Hmmm...maybe "mood swings?"  Anyone else in this boat?

Help!

lizzzy

Amanda, I totally know what you mean about the anger.  Starting up the rads last week kicked it off for me.  My husband got busy at work and worked late all week and I felt like the support system has just stopped.  Everyone was all over me when I had surgery and chemo and now it seems they just think this is no big deal.  And I am finding it is a bigger deal than I thought. 

My husband went to a political rally in L.A. today.  First I couldn't believe he asked if I wanted to go because I woke up with a pretty bad cold today and I'm still recovering from a crazy week.  So I told him to go without me.  He came home with lists of people to call to get out the vote--I would normally think this is great, but he expects me to call people on top of everything I'm going through and I have a hard enough time getting my own work done. 

So yeah, I'm experiencing some anger right now.  I took a xanax tonight hoping it would chill me out. 

cinrae123

Hey girls..............hope you all had a good weekend and the team that you wanted to win super bowl won.  Nice going Giants. 

Traci,,,,,,,,,you are very welcome.  You are always a cheerful one and I hate to see you down.  It was my pleasure.  I was afraid I was gonna have to come down to Florida and slap you silly.  Hang in there girl, ok?

Liz,,,,,,,,,glad radiation is going well for you.  You will just sail thru this, I know it.  We need to meet for coffee soon ok? 

And by George,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I think my hair is starting to grow some.  lol  I've been taking that Biotin so not sure if that is really helping or it was just time.  Baby fine though,,,,,,,and seems thin.  But maybe my hair was always this thin and didnt realize it.  But hey, I'm not gonna complain because it is finally growing.  Still not as long as most of you gals though.  I heard somewhere that herceptin might cause it to grow slower...........does anyone think thats true? 

Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it sounds like everyone is doing super duper.  I hope Virginia is ok,,,,,,and hope her dad is ok too.  Boy, life sure deals us some crap huh?  And why is it that it always comes at the same time.  Sucks.  So my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Lorain,,,,,,,,,,,,would you do me a favor and tell your son "Thank you" for serving this wonderful country we have.  He thinks we wont be there that much longer?  Boy I sure hope he's right.  What branch of the military is he in?  My son (who is 26) has been thinking of joining the Army.  I would miss him soooooooooo much,,....  He's kinda at that place in life where he doesnt know what he wants to do.  Maybe the military would give him a sense of direction, you know? But we sure would miss him,,,we are a very close family,,,,,,,,so that part would be hard for me.  But if he says that thats what he would want to do,,,,,,I would totally support him.  Miss him like heck,,,,,,but support him in his decision.  How old is your son? 

Take care girls,,,,,,,,,,,,,have a great week,,,,talk soon

Cindy

Traci-----TripNeg

Hey girls,

Amanda...I know where you are coming from on the friends thing. I'm lucky though, I've got a circle of real close girlfriends. We do dinner once or twice a month and all of them have been so supportive.

But, the other friends that I have that I only see or talk to every so often...yea, a few of them have backed way off like my cancer is contagious or something.

And Liz, the "no big deal" thing...boy, I can really relate to that one. It's like I'm done so all is back to normal. Not. Especially with my roommate. GAWD she is making me crazy. She wants to go and do all the time.

I would like y'alls opinion on something please;

My 18 year old neice sent me an email asking me what I knew about her brother.

The brother she is referring to is.....my brother had drunken sex with a girl he did not know. A year later, he gets a wage garnishment notice because this girl put him down as the father on the birth certificate. She never called my brother. He has yet to see or speak to this women since the 30 minute stand. (They left the bar and were back within an hour.)

Now, my niece wants to find the kid. What do y'all think about that? I'll add that this is a very sore subject for my brother. He should have gotten the test to prove it was his but, he never did. He chose the path of least resistance and has been paying child support ever since again...without ever having seen or spoken to the girl.

Hugs, Traci

VirginiaNJ

Phew...hi girls...this weekend was hellish...  Yesterday, as I was standing in the shower I was thinking that I would rather go through 4 more rounds of AC chemo than watch what my father is going through.  I spent Saturday night with him and he became very confused and disoriented.  He got up in the middle of the night and there was nothing I could do to reason with him.  He wasn't speaking.  It was awful.  I didn't sleep one wink...and I my heart was beating so hard all night I thought it was going to explode.  I was just so scared.  Finally, at 4:45 am I called my brother who came up (lives in the same town)...  I felt so bad b/c he has been staying every night and I just wanted to do my part and give him a little break.  Well, my bro got there and "sort of" got Dad settled and then sat with him.  I stayed up but left the room and went up to check on them and my dad started shaking so bad...my brother said to call the doctor and then said, "NO, call 911" I thought I was going to pass out.  We rushed him to the ER and it turns out he was REALLY dehydrated with contributed to his confusion.  So, all 4 of us kids were at the hospital all day...  I left about 5:30 pm and TRIED to keep my eyes open for SuperBowl.  It was so hard....  I am exhausted both physically and emotionally.  This is so awful....

Liz- hang in there with the rads... thinking of you...  Did you have the underarm thingie??  Gosh, my chemo brain is in full blown action.  My brain is complete and TOTAL mush...

Lorain- echo the other sentiments...  I thank your son for serving our country and allowing us our freedom...

Amanda- I can TOTALLY relate to you and the feelings towards "friends."  Try as I might to let stuff like that roll off my back, I have a very hard time doing it...  I harbor a lot of anger towards many of my friends.  (Sounds like an oxy-moron...anger/friends...)  OYE.  I totally believe that emotions are definitely hightened on the Tamoxifen.  I am on a tamoxi-rage lately.

CindyCA- love your posts woman...  You make me smile as well.  (I love ALL of your posts)...

Lar- thinking of you and your butt....seriously...

Traci- was that like the most amazing SuperBowl game in AGES?  I thought I was going to jump out of my skin.  I only wish my dad was "with it" enough to realize they won....he's a die hard Giants fan.  My brother taped the game, so hopefully they can watch it together when Dad feels better...

CindyKS- thinking of you...hope you are ok....

Alright girlies...don't get on here or Yahoo too often....  My life is insanity....  But I think of you all often...  Thank you all for your kinds words/thoughts....

xoxoxo

Virginia

chemo072

Traci - I'd get your brother to get a paternity test, because it's not just about him, it's about the whole family.  If it were me, that's where I'd push first BEFORE contacting a child and telling them that they're your family when maybe they're not.  Sounds like a recipe from the child's point of view for emotional disaster.  On the other hand, if there is truly an additional family member, then that child is going to feel pretty darn left out if no one tries to contact her. 

Nice of your brother to help out though with child support.

Liz - rads was so deeply exhausting that near the end I had all those heart palpitation problems, and a cold that settled in my head behind my ears and still hasn't gone away.  I think people think that rads is no big deal, or they're scared and don't like to think about it (what happened to me the first time my mom went through rads, burying my head in the sand was about all I could cope with), but the size of it was: it's about half as big a deal as chemo.  And chemo is a very big deal, and rads on top of chemo is a complete drag.  It took me 8 weeks post rads to even begin to feel human again.  I looked human, I walked like a human, but I didn't feel like one.  

Oh, and everything extra and non essential went completely by the wayside.  I canceled non rads appts right and left.  So, tell your hubby - no adding things on, only taking stuff away.  This rads %^^& is HARD.

Or at least that's the way it was for me. 

Virgina - hugs and more hugs girl.  Can your dad get home health care?  Seems like a nurse at home might be helpful?

CindyCA, glad your hair is growing back in!

Have a good day all! 

chumfry

Wow, Traci, how long ago was this 30-minute stand? If it was just a few years ago, I think your brother should definitely get a paternity test. If it was longer ago than that, I guess I would worry about how it might affect the kid, getting rejected, etc.

But then again, if your brother has no contact with these people (except for a monthly check), there probably wouldn't be any feeling of rejection. And, heck, the kid needs to know who his real dad is.

It's a sad situation, but I think finding out the truth is the first thing to do.

--CindyMN

chumfry

Virginia, is the situation with your dad likely to improve? (Forgive me, but I've forgotten what health problem he has.) To me, it sounds like it's time to get some help from medical professionals.

You and your siblings are trying to do a job that you're not trained for. For example, a nurse probably would have figured out your dad was dehydrated before it got so bad he had to go to the ER.

I'm not saying this to make you feel bad. I'm saying it because I think a lot of family members try to keep their loved ones at home for as long as possible, and feel guilty when they can't. It may be time to consider a nursing home. Or hospice.

--CindyMN

Traci-----TripNeg

Oh Virginia....I am so sorry about your dad. I was with my dad alone once and he looked at me and said "Traci, we are both adults and I need to pee". I had to hold the urinal for him while he held onto me with one hand and his penis with the other. I will never....forget that. So f*ing sad.

I'm so sorry your dad is having such a hard time and you kids are too. I think my dad's dying was hardest on my brothers. Don't know why. Love ya girl. Get some rest.

And....yes, that was an excellent game. I was at my brother's girlfriend's house --- did I already tell y'all this? --- anyway, her whole family was there (that is a lot of people) and they are all from Long Island and they are all die hard Giants fans. Needless to say....people from blocks away heard the cheers when they one. It was outragous!! What a blast. I am soooooooooooo freaking happy they shut the Patriots up! Sorry for any Pats fans out there!

My brother had sex with that girl about 17 years ago. And here's the thing...it's a very touchy situation for him. His wife took my niece away from him and moved home to Ohio when she was just 9 months old. He never got over that. The whole "kid" subject is just way too much for him. I'm afraid that if his daughter questions him about this that he will lose it.

I'm so sorry about you gals and the rads......

I need to work.....

: ) Traci

lizzzy

Virginia, It breaks my heart what you're going through.  Hang in there and ask for help when you need it.  It's so sweet of you to think of everyone else right now.

Wow, Traci.  That is some story with your brother.  It seems like if he's financially responsible, some parental rights should also come with that.  Plus how does he know it's his?

Cindy,  I want us to get together too.  I just have to get my act together and  get myself into some kind of routine so I can get everything done. I have two doctor appts next week that need to be rescheduled.  I may try to get my rads appt changed to AM.

Tomorrow I have my first gyno appt since my dx and it's my husband's birthday and it's Super Tuesday!  Hope everyone's voting! 

Hi to everyone else! 

VirginiaNJ

Thanks girls...you are the best...

Amanda...you are the one...not Liz with the armpit thingie...  Sorry...  I know what you mean about burying your head in the sand.  Believe me, I have plenty of ostrich moments.

CindyMN- my father has CHF (congestive heart failure).  We do have a visiting nurse service that comes in during the day, but otherwise, we kids are with him 24/7.  I am very angry that the visiting nurse service did not "notice" that my Dad was dehydrated.  and yes, you are totally right, we are not qualified to take care of my dad in this condition.  We are going to have to address this soon.

Traci- you cracked me up with your dad...  My dad was so out of it on Saturday night I was yanking is sweat pants and boxers down so he could sit on the toilet to pee...  Now, my Dad is an EXTREMELY proud man, so you KNOW he was completely out of it when he let me do that...  It was sooooooooooo sad.

I love you all for the good karma you send me...I truly feel the warm wishes...

As for the get-together, I am in for whenever it happens and where ever it happens.  I just want to meet you all and have a giant group hug.  (This all conditional on what happens with Dad...so far we can't get "straight" answers from the docs...I think we need to know how grave the situation is....)  My sister was in full "Mamma Bear" mode yesterday...  She is unbelievable...her Mom Instinct is huge...guess that's what happens when you have 5 kids...but those poor medical (idiots) that crossed her path yesterday...whew...I thought her head was going to explode.  It was a moment of levity in an otherwise extremely stressful day.  (Levity for me...not for my exploding head sister who was fit to be tied)...  LOL

V

Traci-----TripNeg

Yea!!!! Virginia is back!!! "Whenever and wherever" LOL!!!

Liz, he doesn't know it's his and he obviously doesn't want to know. I don't blame him. He just said "whatever" about the money part...

chumfry

Virginia, I know that you can't guarantee good care even when you have medical professionals involved. I'm glad that you have a visiting nurse, but I'm mad with you that she didn't notice your dad's dehydration. Even when a person's in the hospital, you can't necessarily count on quality care.

When my mom was in the hospital, I felt like I had to be there almost as a guard dog to make sure she got the right meds in a timely fashion, etc. I'm glad your head-exploding sister raised heck and put a chunk under it. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I hope your dad's docs can give you a better idea of his prognosis, etc. CHF can really range in severity, but it's the type of diagnosis where you do usually continue to get worse with time. It's heartbreaking to watch.

--CindyMN

Traci-----TripNeg

Liz! Jeff Bridges...right...I totally missed that...sorry.

Cindy, did you figure out how to get email notifications??

I just had a friend of mine email me and ask me if I was going to the beach cuz the weather is so nice and then she asked me if I still wore a bikini and this was my reply:

HA HA HA HA HA AHA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I'm laughing like Tom Hanks did in The Money Pit when the bathtub fell through the floor!!!! lol!

ocinny414

Hey ladies,

Wow I've been really busy since my last post.  I feel down for like 4 days after chemo then I'm fine and keep busy.  I'm not working at Dillons anymore.  Was just to much and they wouldn't give me the hours I wanted.  I had to take what they gave.  I am now working at Big Lakes Developmental Center.  It's a work center and they have group houses for developmentally challenged adults.  I worked my first weekend at the house this weekend.  There are 8 girls,  wow do they keep busy.  It was alot of fun.  The girls at my house are high functioning so it's pretty easy.  I have lost all my hair again (well I do have a few stray hairs) we were talking after the super bowl and one of the girls was playing with my scarf.  She lifted it and it came off.  You should have seen their faces.  There were only 3 of them in the room but they were shocked.  Then they all wanted to feel my head.  We had a good laugh and they rubbed my head.  I didn't feel bad cause there was no mean spiritedness in their laughter.  More a nervous shock.  Later the most of the others were there and she took it off again.  The went through the whole shock thing again.  It was cute to see their reactions.  I've only worked with them this one weekend and a couple of weeknights and their total acceptance is awsome.

I have my CT scan tomorrow.  We are forecast to get around 5+ inches of snow tomorrow so pray I have a safe drive.  I will drive.  I love mom big time but I feel more comfortable being the driver.  

I have Chemo on Thursday and will find out the results of my scan then.  I will let you know how it goes.

Virginia I'm so sorry to hear about your dad.  I've been reading and keeping up on everyone.  I lost my stepdad about 3 years ago.  It was hard on us all.  He went in for surgery to repair an anurism in his assending aorta, while in surgery they found 2 more in his legs.  He came through a surgery that should have been 3 hours but turned into about 6 hours, but had a major heart attack 2 days after.  Everyone in the family that could came to see him.  It was very helpful to him and to us.  

I think being there for your dad is the best thing for him.  I do know how hard it is.  My mom is my only family that I have left accept for the step brothers and their familys.   Please don't waite to seek more help.  It will be more comforting to you and your family and will releave some of your stress.

My friends have all stuck by me.  I have one that only talks to me about once a month or so but we live in different cities and are both really busy.  She has been there for me when I needed her.  I don't really have many friends to begin with but those that I do talk to have been there.  Even my email friends have been there.  Just getting an email from them even junk mail makes my day.  I know they thought about me that day.   I feel that everyone else can go to H. E. double toothpics. LOL

OK I'm doing well and this is a really long post.

I've posted on the yahoo site but do like this one better.

Have a great evening.

I'll post results of CT scan when i get them.

CindyKS

Traci-----TripNeg

Hey Cindy...I was just thinking...if you like emails you must love the yahoo thing!! I forgot to ask Virginia how many emails she had when she came back from her cruise! LOL!

That sucks you lost your hair again. I gotta tell you girl....you really have earned my respect. I don't think I would be handling it 1/8 as good as you are. What was you chemo regiment (sp?) this time? How many more? That is funny about them with the scarf but again...I think I would have been horrified. You amaze me.

I cracked up at first when you said "developmentally challenged adults" because I thought you were talking about you!!! LOL! There you go earning more respect. That is another thing that would be hard for me. 

I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. GAWD......deep sigh.......this cancer sucks. 

Hugs girl,

Traci

Lorain

Hi, everyone!  I haven't looked here for a couple days and I can't believe how many messages there are!  We are all facing serious problems but you all have a sense of humor and manage to keep each other's spirits up! 

Vir - I'm so sorry about your father...I can't imagine how tough it must be.  We really enjoy your messages and look forward to some "cruise" pictures soon.  

Traci - I'm sorry about your father also...that was since you were diagnosed, wasn't it?  Thanks for your cheerful messages!  Sorry about your brother.  I can't imagine how painful it must be for him.  

Cinrae - My son is 36 and a major in the Air Force.  He graduated from the Air Force Academy so is an officer.  My father was also an Air Force career man and, of course, they both think the Air Force has the best opportunities.  I'm glad your hair is growing.  I do wonder if the Herceptin has something to do with it.  My summer we'll all look different!  It'll be so nice to have it a bit longer!  I can't wait!  But I'm more excited for my implants!!!!!!!

CindyKs - I'm praying for a great scan report.  Drive carefully.  We'll all be waiting for the results...thank you, Lord, in advance!  Your hair story was hilarious!  Reminded me of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."  Although I'm sure it was nothing like it!  Is the chemo as tough this time?  Hang in there.

Amya - I'm sorry you're feeling anger.  It takes energy you don't need to expend.  I think the journal sounds like a good idea.  I've been writing down my thoughts and it helps me.  I'm afraid I'm not a very good friend...I get tired and don't email or phone as much as I should...so I totally understand people who don't keep it touch with me.  I'm sure they just think you're doing fine.  People care, they just don't always think to call or ask if you need help.  Please be understanding to them also.  And all of us care here...I realize it's not the same, but it's a good sounding board!  We care about you!

Liz - You said you're already finding out rads are a bigger deal than you thought.  Is everything OK?  Or is it just the everydayness of it?  I agree...but just think you're eradicating all those stray cancer cells that may be trying to live through the chemo.  You're giving it your best shot!  I'm thinking of you and praying for you!

CindyMN - Are you doing OK?  Is your hair growing?  When did you finish chemo?  Thinking of you also.

Gotta go...I've started aerobics on Tuesdays and Thursdays...walking on some of the other days as our school has an indoor walking track around the gym and I'm 3 minutes from the school and have keys since I'm a teacher!  I'm really starting to feel better...more energy.

I agree on the thriller of a football game!  Wow! It was exciting.  My father knows Archie Manning...has played golf with him, so I was for the Giants and Eli...I like Peyton too!  Both of our boys played football, one at Oklahoma State...so I love football too...just not the pros as much as college!

Thinking of all of you...Lorain 

lizzzy

Lorain, 

It's like you say, the everydayness of it.  I'm not having any problems per se, just another thing that is making getting back to my life difficult.  And I'm fighting a cold.  I want to lie in bed and rest and I can't. 

But I'm trying to have a good attitude about it. 

chemo072

Wow, all the comments - hi everyone!!  CindyKS, glad to hear from you! New job sounds good....

my brain is mush, but I agree about nursing care even in the hospital for parents/grandparents...ya gotta watch them and make sure they're on it for your loved one.  

my onc finally got back to me, and true to form, he doesn't want to "jump the gun" - and frankly I find that reassuring.  He thinks that with all the infections I've had on the right side of my head (abscess gum + infected fluid in my head behind my ear) it makes sense that my lymph system would be overloaded, and he doesn't want to do anything until I'm done taking antibiotics (i'm on round 2).  Funny, that's what the dentist said too.  Makes me feel like a pariah of sorts (neither of them want to see me until after antibiotics, to make sure the antibiotics aren't masking something else), but ok. 

.....so wait and see until I see him on the 22nd.  But he does not want the PT touching under my arm in the meantime, just in case.  So in suspense I wait, but it's probably a lymph problem.  Which hurts BTW.  

I still haven't gone two weeks without a doc appt - have you? 

VirginiaNJ

Thanks ladies for all the comments...  Dad is doing *somewhat* better.  He's still WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY confused about time...  He thinks that something weird is going on starting at midnight...  For some reason he is fixated on midnight, then 5 am when he knows my brother gets up to take the train to NYC for work...  I'm not sure what he thinks is happening...but he thinks he needs to get up and be awake...and that he has to "convert" the time.  We were all like "huhhhhhhhhhhhhhh????" yesterday.  It was awful.  I walked in the room yesterday, and he said, "what day is it"  and I said, "It's Monday, Daddy"  and he says, "and the date?"  and I said "It's February 4th..."  He looks at me and he says, "Ok, I'll get back to you on that..." and then he went on the whole rant about converting the clock.

OY OY OY.  The docs said they are very slowly bringing his sodium level down...  He only has one kidney and that's failing, so there is a world complications.  Oh, and don't worry....NONE of us are shy.  If it's one thing we've ALL learned through the years is that you have to be your own advocate and that you have to speak up and watch EVERYTHING.  Hell, Sloan Kettering in NYC MIS diagnosed my tumor...I am VERY leary of all medical folks... 

Thanks for all the kind wishes...I'll keep you posted.

Ticker tape parade in the city today!    Go Giants!!

V

chemo072

V - SK misdxed your tumor?  I don't think that story sunk into my chemo brain.  That's terrible.

Best wishes with your dad and I know that your all's advocacy for him will make a big difference!

Love to you V

Maybe do something a little special for yourself?  Family illness can be SO stressful.