Anyone starting Chemo in August 07?
Comments
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Oh hey... almost forgot. I do my rads in my hometown. We are small and rural. I am at the mercy of the 1 rad onc in town and have my appts moved at his whim. He is only actually there on Mondays-- every other day he has a crappy internist cover the office just to say an MD is there. i mean-- I don't really think the chick practices medicine. But anyway...
On Monday, my 9:15 am appt was rescheduled to 8:15 PM (if I didn't take this, I wouldn't see the doctor in my last week of tx's-- so I took it). As I was leaving I told the tech:
"10 months ago, if I had asked my husband to put the kids to bed so I could go out at night and have 2 guys stare at me while I was topless, he would have had a problem with it. But somehow, now-- he hardly batted an eyelash."
Crazy what where this ride has taken us....... Smile on. Angie
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Angie - LOL! And SO true!! My dh would have said "better hurry up, you're going to be late!"
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Nash,
I completely understand about all the well-meaning friends who, even though they may be mis-guided, making stupid comments. I have told myself that they really can't understand, because they have never gone through this bc experience...
I just got my test results from an x-ray of my back that I had on Monday... I told my sister that I have been SO SCARED, that it might be mets... She said, "you know, I understand because I ran over something on the road and tore up my car once. Now whenever I run over anything, I am just SO SCARED!" WTF? How does that compare??
Maybe it is the same with losing your Mother. Perhaps this person has never lost someone close to her. I am SO sorry, Nash! I am still missing my Mom, and it's been 16 YEARS, not 16 DAYS!!
Hugs,
Harley
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OMG, between Angie's comment about her late night rendez-vous at the rad office and Harley's sister's comment about car angst, I laughed so hard I 'bout snorted my diet coke.
And thank, Harley. <hugs> So glad your back is OK.
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Nash,
Thanks!
I hope that in time, you will remember only the happy memories of your Mom, and that these happy memories will help to comfort you in your time of sorrow...Hugs,
Harley
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Done! Done! Done! It's official-- I have finally finished rads!!
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CONGRATULATIONS!
Harley
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Okay girls, my port comes out tomorrow. I'm more than a little bit nervous about it and will be glad when it's done. The insertion didn't go too well so I'm hoping that this goes much better.
I'd much rather be with Jackie on her cruise!!! I'm hoping that she's enjoying a Bahama Mama for me about now.
Kaye, where are the pics of your new hairstyle????? Don't you know that we all want to live vicariously through you?
Debbi
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Whoo, hooo, Angie!
And yes, Kaye, where are those pics?
I just scheduled my port removal for 3/31--I'll be interested in how your's goes, Debbi. Keep us posted.
I saw the onc today. It was the first time I'd been back at the cancer center since the day my mom died. I almost lost it--didn't think going back into the infusion room would be so hard, but it really was. Ugh.
Will be starting Tamoxifen as soon as I pick the stuff up. Whee!
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Nash - My husband (he has lost both parents) told me each time it took him a year to readjust. He had to go thru each season and holiday and birthday etc.. without them. Made since to me. Sending you cyber hugs.
Angie - WOW YEA congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Debbi - Good luck with the port removal. Positive thoughts.
Harley - Your story reminds me of my mom. Please dont take offence but shes clueless!!When I told her I might be able to have a stem cell transplant and with that comes a chance for a cure her responce was. ""Gee wonder if they have a stem cell transplant for my allergies?" WHAT, ARE YOU FOR REAL? Or how about this one.
Me :"Mom I havent heard from either of my brothers in weeks".
MOM: " Well I think they like to act like this isnt happening".
Me: " Must be nice, some of us dont have that choice."
MOM: " Yea, like your mom (silence, a breath) and you."
Bear in mind we live 3 miles apart and I havent seen her in 3 wks.
She even told friends that she couldnt work right now because she had a family member that was ill and She hasnt worked in 4 years!!!!!!!!
OK forgive me for busting on mom but I feel better now.
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Oh Yea - An update. Im weaker than I think Ive ever been. I cant even do the simplest of things without my heart racing and getting dizzy.
I tried to fold a load of laundry and made it about 1/2 thru before having to lay down.
Ill let you know when I have something better to report.
Hanging in there.
Kim
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Hey all, Had my first regular weekday in months! No more rads! And congrats to you too, Angie! I had to laugh when I saw your post about the late night topless visits!
Kimmie, so bummed to hear that you are feeling crummy. I so remember that feeling of deep fatigue and I so wish you weren't having to deal with it. I wish I lived nearby you so I could help out. If it weren't for my mom coming over to help during chemo, I don't think I would have ever had any laundry folded. I just put things in baskets and dug through it every day for something to wear, wrinkles and all.
Nash and Deb, I hope the port removals go well. I can't wait to get mine out, but it won't be until Herceptin is done, or nearly done, and that won't be until October. Oh well, I will be bionic woman for a few more months.
Harley, It sounds like maybe all was OK with your x-ray. Good deal.
g'night all!
DeAnn
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Kim,
I am really TRYING to realize that our friends and family who have not had bc, really don't know what it feels like... but bc sucks, no matter what, and no one can really understand except someone who has been through it.
I am sorry you aren't feeling well.... sending HUGS your way...
From your Mom's comment, maybe is she scared that SHE will get bc, too?Hugs,
Harley
Oh Hi DeAnn,
Yes, my x-ray was NEGATIVE for any abnormalities! YEA! I was so scared... waiting... it never gets any easier, does it?
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Harley-- Congrats on the all-clear for the X-ray.
Kimmie- do you think how you'r efeeling might warrant a call to your onc ? They might want to check your labs or something. i don't want this to get out of hand for you. Especially with the weekend coming. If you are physically feling the worst ever-- maybe it's worth mentioning. Don't suffer in silence- there might be something they can do to help. Sending good wishes your way. Angie
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Angie! finally, rads finished! that is fantastic - now skin can get better, and all can be on the way up.
) I am really happy for you!I had today a genetic interview with the local hospital genetic oncologist - and they are going to search for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations. Here, they are not going to communicate anything to insurances, but it will give further guidelines for follow-up, including for ovaries removal if BRCA2 comes out positive. Given that both my mom and myself had DX at a young age (34 for her, 43 for me), and that there is a little jewish ascendance (apparently at higher risk genetically), it seems to be relevant to know. It will take the labs 6 months to do the research... so there.
I can't wait for Tuesday, as I have my appointment with the plastic surgeon...
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TGIF to all of you!
Angie and Deann....how wonderful for you both! Keep holding that torch girls cause I'm right behind you with only 4 more txs after today.
Nash and Debbi.....I had my port removed at the same time as my first surgery in December. The site was sore for a while but not nearly as bad as with the insertion. I know that it will go well for both of you and it's one more thing you can check off your list.
Kimmie.....I agree...please call someone today and see what they think. Lots and lots of hugs coming your way.
Kay.............................................................
..........................thump thump thump thump thump.......that's my toes tapping waiting for the curly headed sexy picture!!! Come on girl!
It's Friday and the one day during the week that I don't work so better get this posted and try to be a little productive here before tx time today. Everyone have a peaceful weekend.
June
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Deep breath...Okay, for me, it's now ALL DONE! The port was removed this afternoon, my rads and chemo are done, I've had a follow up mammogram and MRI and now I'm done!!! Can you see the happy dance coming from Indiana??????
To me, the port removal was the symbol of all the treatments and nasty stuff being over with...for now anyway. There's still that nagging worry that will never be far from my mind that it's going to come back or something, but at least, for now, it's done! I've fought the beast and I am a survivor! Thanks to all of you for being there to encourage me and help me when I've been down! While the port removal wasn't pleasant, it was doable. So many things we've been through this year have been doable and this was just one more thing added to my list! Nash, after all you've been through this year, it will be doable for you too!!! I really feel pretty good, just a little bit sore. However, I believe that I'm going to let my husband think that it's worse than it is, because that way I can get a little bit of special attention and put off cleaning the house for another day!!! After-all, I worked clear through all my treatments and this is my last chance to be babied for awhile!!!!
Kimmie, I'd sure be calling the dr. if I was you. Like they said, maybe there's something they can give you to help out. No need to suffer if it isn't necessary.
Harley and Angie, I'll expand my happy dance to you also!!! Congratulations to both of you!
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Thanks, chemomom and Ggma! I am so glad that the x-rays were negative!
Happy weekend, everybody!
Harley
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Yay, DeAnna and Angie on finishing up rads and I'm glad that you're almost done, too, June.
And happy dance right along with you, Gma. I'm so glad you are all through! That's really wonderful.
And Kimmie, I hope the weakness has passed, and if it hasn't, I agree with the other girls--definately let the doc know. It's probably the cumulative effects of the chemo, but best to make sure your counts are OK, etc., and that there aren't any infections going on or anything. Wish we could all run over with casserole or something and then help you with the housework so you could just sleep.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
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Yay Debbi! Congratulation on being ALL done!
I am dragging today. After not feeling a whit of fatigue during rads, I seem to have crashed today. Don't know if I'm coming down with something or what, but man, am I tired. I went to my yoga class this morning, but I really had to take it easy. I'm wondering if my food choices the last few days have played a part. For the past several weeks, I have tried to avoid meat, and no dairy or refined sugar of any kind. But, with rads being done, well, I've kind of celebrated. I think I better get back to my green smoothies! (They actually aren't as bad as they sound! Even tasty if you use enough pineapple!)
DeAnn
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DeAnn - OMG We have the same chemo laundry plan!!! Here I thought my family were the only ones digging thru laundry baskets at 7am. HAHA
Angie - I almost called my Doc. then I started to feel better, YEA Thanks for the concern. If I get like that again I think I will call the Doc.
Yea GGMA YEA GGMA (hey that rhymes).
I FEEL BETTER !!!!!
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Hi Ladies!
Congratulations O Port-less Ones! And Congratulations on the Newly De-Radified. WE'RE MAKIN' IT LADIES! I TOLD you so!
Hang in there Kimmie! And Quit Folding Laundry. Period. Do you HEAR me? Just scoop it out of the dryer and leave it on the floor where it belongs. (Another Household Hint from Kato) Do mention your fatigue to your doc. Just doesn't sound right. And maybe there is something he can do. (-hug-) And Lilith and everyone else who is still having tests, scans, etc...Hang IN there!
June, I got confused between the THUMP...THUMP...THUMP of the Toes tapping and the TAP...TAP...TAP of Debbi's Happy Dance occurring somewhere else on the planet and due to the cosmic confusion of rhythms, I've been flailing appendages and spinning in concentric circles. eEeeK!
DeAnn, sorry you're draggin'...I have been too. (Flailing, dragging and spinning. Quite a feat, really. I give lessons - see me afterwards.)
And the whole thing about the pictures is...if i look in a Mirror, I think - HEY! I can DO this! But the minute I see a Picture, I gasp, and see this old lady. (WHO the HECK is THAT???) Which, granted, is more attractive than the Chemo-Gnome i had become. So, NO. The PICTURES are coming LATER. When I'm younger. And thinner.
Oh crap. It doesn't work that way, does it? ok. Here they are.
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Thank you to My Magic DH for the Photos. (WHY are they so BIG?!)
DeAnn, Debbi and all you Northern USA Foot-Deep-In-the-Snow Types...this was taken about 30 minutes ago in my back yard. The temperature is 75. (Dh and his nasty self is encouraging me to gloat. I won't. Because if I do, it means that I have to eat it in July and August. The only one who has gloating rights is NASH because she lives in PARADISE. Perfect, year round. So don't throw rocks at me.)
Kimmie - I'm glad you're feeling good! (We were posting at the same time!)
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Kaye!!! You look so totally awesome!! I LOOOVE the haircut, and with that blue shirt you look absolutely stunning!
I have backyard envy! If you look behind my avatar, you will see what MY backyard looks like right now. A whole lotta white.
DeAnn
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Oh, Kaye!!! the haircut ROCKS, you look totally awesome. I am speachless, and thrilled for you!
BTW, I'd love to meet up with you girls this summer - not sure how it will work out though. I am trying to plan a trip, and I've never had such a hard time planning travelling! My daughter will have a stop-over somewhere on the east coast so she can meet up and stay with her dad (NCarolina). I will probably be some time in North California, if I can manage to find tickets. We can talk later on when I get tickets - most likely it will be in July time frame.
Hugs to all, congrats on the ports out - I have to wait until end of 2008, as I am getting Herceptin. I'll come back to let you know what my Plastic surgeon says....
)) next Tuesday!!!! -
Kaye, you made me laugh out loud at the thought of you spinning and flailing around! Think of the calories you're burning as you do it though! Maybe you could start teaching classes at your local YMCA. Your hair is looking awesome and now I have yard envy AND hair envy since all I see out my window is that yucky white stuff that has been around all winter and just won't go away. I look in the mirror and see the same old lady hair, but mine is straight as a stick and lays down flat to my head, not cute and curly like yours is. I'd almost thought that chemo would be worth it if I had curls when it came back in, but noooooo, it's gotta be flat AND gray! Oh well, at least it's coming in for me even if it is slowly!!!
You'll still be able to gloat about the weather in July and August because here in Indiana the humidity is horrible and from what my son told me when he lived out at 29 Palms in the desert, at least you don't have that. I believe that Jed and Granny (Beverly Hillbillies) knew what they were doing when they loaded up and moved to California!!! That's the place to be!
Kimmie, I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better!
DeAnn, Green Smoothies????? Doesn't even sound good, but whatever floats your boat, as long as I don't have to try them! I believe that I'd rather be tired!
I mentioned my exhaustion to my onc last week and he asked me if I'd gone back to work recently...I told him that I'd never QUIT working! Except when I had sepsis in November and they made me take off a week, and when we moved in December I took off a week then, I've worked every single day through treatment and only took off 4 days for my lumpectomy! He told me that I just needed to be more patient. My body has been through a lot and it could take me another 6 months to get back to feeling myself again! NOOOOOOOO, it's over and I want my old energy levels back again. My patience is gone!
Lilith, your time will come for the port to come out, too. After all we've been through, the port removal is not a big deal (just don't tell my husband that!). I even had dh doing laundry yesterday! Oh yeah, all that is coming to a screaching halt around here though and you know, I'm okay with it because it means that I'm better!
Enjoy the last of your week-end ladies!
Debbi
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Kaye, it is absolutely A---DOR---ABLE!!!!! I swear Miss Kaye, only you could go through all that we've been through and come out looking like you're ready to sign a modeling contract. Oh no, I forgot you've got to leave this spring for the comedy tour! You've earned it girl and you've kept all our spirits up for months and months. Just know how much we appreciate you.
As long as we're updating each other on our 'coiffures'.....I have flat r...e...a...l...l...y ugly white and gray hair? that is about an inch long. Alas, no curls...not even fuzz ladies. However, compared to my former airplane strip I'll take the flat and ugly. Who knows maybe my hairdresser can perform some miracle by May. Either way I am officially "retiring" the wig come May. Atlanta summers are brutal and I suffered with the dang thing all last summer.
By the way, what are you all doing with your no longer needed wigs? I know I should donate it to the American Cancer Society but I SO SO SO want to have a ceremony and burn it! See, how bad I am? It's what happens when you get a little energy back you see.
Enjoy what's left of the weekend all.
June
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Gorgeous, Kaye!
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Thanks for the "thumbs up" re the haircut, Ladies.
DeAnn, what IS a green smoothie? (Recycled Grass clippings, bugs and horned toad drool? Ok. I'll eat that. Will it give me energy?)
June, BURN your wigs? You ARE a force to be reckoned with! There are a lot of things I'd burn: the "Bra" they gave me after my lumpectomy, and my drainage tubes instantly come to mind - but never a wig. I actually wore my wigs very seldom...so maybe that's why I don't dispise them. But I did live in my "Quiet: Hair Growing" hat, and so it has a precious place in my heart. It helped me when everything else was coming apart. I feel grateful and nostalgic when I look at it. And very triumphant now. Ok. Maybe that's why you want to burn your wigs. I get it. Yes, I understand. BURN, BABY BURN!
Lilith, Northern California is beautiful - and far away from Southern California! (it's a very LONG state.) Twice the distance of the whole boot of Italy...or say, Frankfort to Barcellona. (Are you all impressed? Yes, I've been playing with Google Earth)
Oops - gotta go. I'm seeing a play with my MIL and I need to clean myself up a bit!
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Kato, You are gorgeous!! Inside and out.
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