Anyone starting Chemo in August 07?

DGHoff

I know, I know. Green smoothies really do sound disgusting, but even my world class skeptic husband agreed that they taste a lot better than you would expect. I used to juice every day, but I have to admit that kale juice is, well, um, just a little bit gross!  I was trying to find some way to easily get in more greens, and I read about green smoothies. A green smoothie is basically just fruit blended with some kind of greens. My smoothie today consisted of a cup of spinach, a few sprigs of parsley, about a cup of pineapple, some lemon juice, and an apple.  I usually throw in some ground flax seed and some Dr. Ben Kim's Powdered Greens which has all kinds of enzymes and probiotics in it (and wheat grass - so you aren't far off with the grass clippings, Kaye!) and a little water, blend it all up and drink. You do need to have a really good blender, otherwise you sort of have to chew as you drink, but you get used to it. To be honest, you don't really taste the green stuff.  I find it difficult to get all the fruit and veggies in otherwise. This way, every morning I know I've had three or more full servings of fruit and veggies. And if I've deluded myself into thinking that it actually tastes good, all the better! LOL!

DeAnn 

kimmie39

HI

June - Your a lady after my heart. I wanna burn that sh*t to!!!!!!!!! Good bye Good riddens!!!!!!!!

Debbi - HA HA HA Your extra day of rest has been well deserved, even if the port removal wasnt to bad. I got such a cackle from that. I to have hair and yard envy!! Im bald and its cold in Va. Ah well.

Its almost midnight here but Im doing mommy duty with my 8 yr old. Last night it was the 5 yr old throwing up and I guess she gave it to her sister. Ya want to hear something so sweet it brings tears to your eyes? My 8 yr old said she hopes she doesnt give it to me cause I already have enough sickness with the cancer.  Isnt that precious. Such big subjects for such small people.

One more thing befor ai let ya'll go.

My son in law just went in the service and my daughter happened to tell the red cross volunteer I have cancer and she wished her husband was home with her.(Spoiled)

Well the red cross vol. called my home town Oncologist to see if they should indead send him home(dependant on my statis).

My home town Oncologist told them I was stage 4 with a very aggressive BC and had approx. 6 months to live !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you believe that!!!!!!!!!

Im hear to tell you now Im NOT GOING ANY WHERE in the next 6 months!!! 

And with lOVE - LUCK - AND GOD  Ill still be kicking yrs from now (just not as high).

OK

Im going to try to lay down. No peep from my daughter in the last 30 min. or so.

Kim 

katoMato

Kim - YOU MAKE SURE THEY CHECK YOUR BLOOD COUNTS REGULARLY. Are they giving you Neulasta or Neupogen or something to bring your counts back up after tx? (i'm sorry - i don't remember. I think they are, but I need to remind you, because I am Universal Mom.) How many more tx's do you have? I am not kidding about this. Absolutely serious this time. Dr.C needs to know you have kids at home who will be bringing germs home. 

Your 8 year old's comment is so precious, i want to scoop her up and hug her.

And yes, you are NOT ALLOWED to go ANYwhere (except Texas). 

We can help you with the "Love" part (cuz we love you), the "Luck" stuff is on your own (i never did figure out how that works) and as far as God goes - i will ask Him.

nash

Kim, my jaw dropped when I read what your home town onc said about how much time he thinks you have left!!!! Thank goodness you're under Dr. C's care right now. That's what's so crazy about this stupid disease--one doc says one is about to croak any second and the other doc talks about a cure. We'll go with the second opinion of a cure for you, thank you very much!

And I hope your kids feel better soon--your 8 year old sounds very sweet. Univeral Mom Kaye is right--make sure your counts are OK.

Harley44

Kaye,

You look MAH-VEL-OUS!!  I wish I looked as good as you!  My hair came in black and white...looks like I don't have 'color tv' to view my hair!  I DID get brave, and got some color on it, but, if I looked as good as you, I wouldn't need the color!!

You go, girl!

Harley

wackyjackie

Hi Girls,

Yes, I'm back.  Trying to read all your posts.  Kim...I'm horrified at what your  hometown onc says.  You stick with Dr. C and keep fighting!!! We'll do all the praying.  Kaye, you look beautiful!! Congrats to all who finished rads.  Way to go!! Congrats for getting your port removed, Ggma. Angie, glad you are doing better.   I'm trying to remember all the posts but I think I'm still a little drunk.  LOL! Sorry if I forgot anyone. 

Nash..time heals all wounds, but the hole in your heart will never go away.  I pray for you all the time.

I thought of you girls a lot when I was away.  I can guarantee you all that I had a drink for each and every one of you.  They even had a drink called the "PAINKILLER".  I swear, they did.  Aaaaaand....let me tell you that it works!! I wish I knew about it sooner.  My hubby sat on the upper deck bathing in the sun while I sat in the shade with the old folks.  It was quite interesting; old people can be very funny.  So you see I had to drink. 

Anyway, I made up this fantasy.  I hope you like it.  It would be so nice for people who have to endure chemotherapy to do it on a cruise ship!!! They can just float around in the Caribbean.  Instead of sitting on their couches like blobs they can lay on a lounge on their shaded balcony.  Go out for meals..or call room service.  Send out your laundry.  Listen to reggae bands all day and top the evening by having some "Painkillers" and going dancing. 

Okay, okay.   I've lost my mind.  But I feel great.  Sorry for going on and on.  But...back to reality.

Have a great evening.

Lots of hugs, Jackie

P.S.--I entered my DH in the sexy legs contest, but he won for hairiest legs!!!It was quite funny.

lilith

Jackie, your cruise sounds like a lot of fun, and I love your fantasy. It is true that chemo would definitely take a different spin if it could be done while lounging in the sun!!! calling room service for a nice meal instead of dragging our sorry bottoms to an empty kitchen to rummage through left-over - what a difference (although, that may mean more pounds to loose after, ahem).

Kimmie. Not only I cannot believe that your local onc would say that - I also find that it is completely un-professional to share such a diagnosis with anybody without your permission!!! ANYBODY, not even an insurance, has that right unless you sign a permission. You can - and should consider - suing him for disclosure of your private record. I fume only thinking of that.

And, of course, I am glad to think that you are in another doctor's hands now, who is doing all he can to get you better. Your kids need you!

On my side - well, I just left my Plastic Surgeon office. A nice lady, who said the original OP left enough skin maybe for a small implant without expanders (yipeeeee). She is now going to write to the insurance to get approval for performing a preventive mastectomy on the other side, with immediate recon on both side with a small silicon high-cohesive gel implant on both side - so I should have FINALLY small boobs that sits without dragging. If the insurance isn't too slow, I may be able to have the op before summer.... if the insurance doesn't approve, then I'll drag in the picture the genetic onc for recommendation, I am sure that will tilt the balance.

PHEW. can't wait!!! I'll be one week in the hospital (great, they have great food, lovely rooms and a nice view), 4 weeks out of work in all.

wackyjackie

Lilith,

I'm scheduled for a latissimus dorsi flap on my right side for April 28th.  PS says it's a big surgery but necessary because of my radiation.  I'm not happy about it.  I have skin expanders already and they drive me nuts.  Anyway, then I have to go back in July to have the regular implants put in.  My husband just started a new job and will be getting different health insurance and the nurse in the ps office says that by law they have to pay for my reconstruction.  I'm not sure about that law where you live.  I'm working on it now and I'll keep you posted.  Good luck to you.

Hugs, Jackie

nash

Welcome back, Jackie! So glad you had a wonderful time! Did you get the recipe for the Painkiller drink--I think we should whip it up in large batches!

Your idea of a Chemo Cruise is brilliant. There must be some way to implement it. Heck, I'd sign up for more chemo if I could do it on a cruise ship!

And thank you for the prayers. I'm in the part of the grief process where things are harder than they were in the beginning, as the numbness wears off. Ugh. 

DGHoff

Welcome back, Jackie! The cruise sounds like it was terrific, and I'd love to have done a chemo cruise. That would have been way better! We'll have to see about getting insurance to pay for something like that!

 

So, how come you have to do the latissimus flap procedure because of rads? I had rads too, but I had tissue expanders and got my implant exchange done before I even started rads, and it doesn't seem to have suffered at all. I do my follow-up with my PS on Thursday so I'll get further input from him, but it doesn't feel like it is any different. Funny how we all get such different options. 

Lilith, I hope it all works out well for you to do the reconstruction the way you want. Small boobs are definitely easy - I almost never have to wear a bra. 

Kim- I am sooo glad that you are getting care from a DIFFERENT doctor now! I hope you are feeling a bit better this week. You keep kicking! Kick that onc in the behind while your at it.

Nash- I know it doesn't make it easier, but just know that you are in my thoughts a lot, and I wish you peace and healing.  

DeAnn  

katoMato

Welcome home Jackie!

I nominate YOU as our new Social Director/Travel Agent. What a GREAT idea!

Lilith, what did you mean by: "if the insurance doesn't approve, then I'll drag in the picture the genetic onc for recommendation"...Sometimes I'm a little slow. (no, that's a lie. I'm as slow as a rock. MOST of the time.)

lilith

I am happy to second the motion electing Jackie Travel Agent - but unlike Nash, there is no way I choose to do another cycle of volontary poisoning - aka chemo. I'll join the cruise as a party goer! It sounds a lot more fun.

Kaye, sorry I was quite cryptic. I am so much in my own adventure, that to me it all sounds logical.

I am doing a genetic oncology investigation, to see if I have the BRCA mutation in my DNA. That would recommend a preventive bilateral, because I would have a 50% risk of developing a cancer on the other side as well - oh joy. The analysis of my DNA will take up to 9 month!

However, I have asked the surgeon to do a mastectomy anyway, and replace both sides with small implants. Insurance will definitely pick up recon cost, and costs for matching up the pair - but the second mastectomy is unusual. So, I am asking them to pick it up (I think they will), and if they don't I'll get the oncologist to recommend it anyway.

What I like very much of the procedure, is that I will probably be able to avoid the expanders - and do it all in one jump. On my mastectomy side I have a wonderful scar - really clean - and enough skin to include a small B. That's all I want.... )

yellowtownhouse

Hey All,

Just a quick note to catch up with you all.  I had my last radiation treatment today. Yea!  Wish I wasn't too tired to celebrate.  The last two weeks have been difficult with the fatigue and the skin issues.  I'm hear to tell you that the 'rumor' that small chested women don't have as many skin issues is sheer poppycock!!!!  I promise you I have to struggle to barely fill out a 34 B and weight exactly 100#.  In a word I'm pretty much bony AND flat chested and have a chest that matches the color of the Target sign  right now.    The onc said today that it could possibly get worse for a week or so before it starts to heal.  He's got to be kidding, right?  He also said the fatigue could last for days or months.  You know what...right now that's the least of my problems.  I'm just so happy to be finished with a journey that began 11 months ago.  Yes, I believe I am finished and will hold on to that every day of my life and in the interim teach myself to be a more humble and grateful human being.  Just a reminder to each of you that on my darkest days and longest nights I never felt alone because of all of you.  I don't have to teach myself to be grateful for you and this board and I'll appreciate each of you every day of my life.  I promise when I get back more than a drop of energy I will do more posting.  I always read but have been to 'pooped to participate.'  Thinking of each of you....

June

DGHoff

Congratulations, June! You did it!! I'm so happy for you that you are finally all done.  At the beginning of this process, it seems like it will never end, but here you are eleven! months later and you can, hopefully, leave this cancer treatment world behind for good.  I'm sorry to say that I did find my skin got a bit redder for the week after treatment, but it is starting to disappear again now. I got super tired the weekend after I finished and I picked up a little cold because I was just so glad to be done that I kept pushing myself to do everything. So do be good to yourself and take it easy. You've been through a lot, and you need to let your body recover. (By the way, sounds like you and I would make a good matched set, as I'm a 34A and about 100# too!).

Cheers to you tonight!

DeAnn  

kimmie39

Hi Jackie and welcome back!! Although Im sure you would rather still be sailing. June congrads!!!!!! I know your feeling down but I know from experience it will get better. It cant happen fast enough I know but wow your done treatment. Lilith you know your not the first to be surprised about the disclosure of my medical information. I dont know how I feel about it. I really like the folks at the oncol. office I wouldn't want to hurt them with a law suit.  Kaye do you think I need to tell him I have elementary aged kids who are dragging germs home? What do you think they'll do differently?   Believe it or not I've felt really good for the past 3 days!! Plenty of energy and no pains. What should I make of that? Isnt it silly I cant even feel good without wondering what that means for my cancer! What a boob.

My daughter showed me the paper that says the 6 months stuff and it also says my condition is guarded and declining. What is guarded? I guess the whole business still has me a little shook up.

I received a letter from my insurance and they are considering my stem cell transplant. YEA!!!! I go back to MDA on Tuesday 18th. They are doing a new PET to see if the new chemo combo is working. So cross your fingers for me.

Well I gotta go for now.

Hugs to you all

Kim 

katoMato

Kimmie, you might have already seen this, but maybe not. I found it on our board in the Stories of Encouragement spot. It's very encouraging.

Six-Time Survivor
I can give hope to cancer patients. I have survived breast cancer 6 times. I am going through my 7th diagnosis right now. My cancer is stable at present. I have been on Gemzar for 6 treatments. I have one left in two weeks. My cancer is a stage IV. But I have survived it so many times before I can do it again. I could not have made it without God, my family and friends. Also lots of prayer and a positive attitude. I have had 7 kinds of chemo. They are: 5-FU, Cytoxan, Adriamycin, Taxol, Navelbine, Xeloda, and Gemzar. I have had radiation 5 times. I have taken tamoxifen, Femara, Megase, and Aromasin. It all started in 1982 when I was 37. After that time I was cancer-free for 13 years. Then I had it 5 times in 5 years. Then I was cancer free for almost 7 years. The Lord has blessed me with a good outlook on life. I accept whatever this cancer outcome might be. I do get fearful at times. But I know the Lord has a plan for me. Whether here to tell my story and encourage others or in heaven so other people can tell my story for me. Thank you for this opportunity to tell my story.

Susan, 62
Graham, WA
October 31, 2007

katoMato

Kimmie, I don't know what the "guarded and declining" comment might mean. Can you ask them, or some other nurse-type that you know? I was concerned for you regarding your kids bringing germs home because you're still in treatment, and I'm concerned about your blood counts. The onc's are providing Neulasta (or whatever) for you after tx, so that would help. I just got worried because you sounded like you were coming down with something and you'd just had your tx so I knew you were vulnerable. Do be careful.

June - I wish this board would let me draw things, because I'd draw balloons for you!! Congratulations! Yes, I got a little redder also about 2 weeks after it was done, but by then it was done, so it didn't matter! And now (3 months out) I feel really normal.  Fatter, with a grey 'fro for hair, but normal. (Do I feel like a sexy 25 year old? NO but I'm HERE, and that seems to be all that matters at this point!)

Hey Jackie, we never heard all about the cruise!! Was it wonderful?

hugs to everybody else - gotta run. :"Lost" is on! 

wackyjackie

Hi girls,

Congratulations, June!!! I'm so happy for you and I hope you get some energy back soon.  I did get redder for a week after rads were finished, but it cleared up so quickly after that.  You will get your energy back and it will surprise you.  Just be sure to let your body rest right now.

Kimmie....I wish you luck next week and I love the story Kaye shared with us.  Keep fighting and try to concentrate on yourself.  I pray you can get stem cell  transplant if that is what you wante.  Have a safe trip.

Kaye, my cruise was wonderful.  We had a great time and it felt good to be "normal"...or at least to pretend for a while.  And, by the way, it seems hedgehogs are allowed on cruise ships.  And they are allowed to dance also.  LOL

Have a good evening, everyone.

Hugs, Jackie

katoMato

Aaahhhh! "Cruise of the Dancing Hedgehogs"

So sign me up already.

What are we waiting for?

nash

I agree, Kaye, If we wait too long to book the Cruise of the Dancing Hedgehogs, our collective hair will have grown to a different length, and we'll have to re-book as a different animal, such as the Dancing Poodles. It could cause quite a conundrum at the travel agency.

Ironically, my once very, very curly hair is coming in straight. All my life I wanted straight hair, and this was one heck of a way to get it. Of course, prior to if all falling out, I'd found a hair stylist I really liked and a product that worked, and was digging my curls. Alas.

I have been compulsively checking that hair growth photo montage Kaye posted back on page 27 to estimate what my hair will look like in a month or two, since currently it looks like someone took a weed wacker to it.  

Where is everyone? Getting ready for the Easter Bunny?

chemomom

Hey there gals.  Not much activity on the old board lately.  Good to know we are all getting on with things.  June-- Hooray, Hooray, Hooray for finishing!  It seems like such a long haul, but we made it thru!  Yippee!!!

I still have one patch of burn that refuses to go away.  And June, I am sorry to say this particular spot did start after tx was over.  But it's a small-ish patch and as I told my family, This time, I have 2 things on my side... Silvadene cream and a clue.  So it is much easier to deal with than it had been.  And I started feeling the most tired after I finished rads.  I thought I was imagining it. 

Spring has started peeking out here in upstate NY.  I can see more grass than snow in the yard.  Birds are chirping.  My crocuses, hyacinths and tulips are popping up in the garden.  Now don't think it's too beautiful a scene-- the flowers are coming up amidst the piles of poo left by the evil neighborhood cats.  They love our mulch, what can I say?  But seriously, the promise of Spring is refreshing. 

Hey-- I even got up and did my Tae Bo this morning!  Of course, then I had a donut... but it's better than having a donut without doing TaeBo!!  And by the way... I am pretty sure I could have fit DeAnn and June in my old bra cups!!!!   I mean their whole selves.  You girls are so tiny!! 100lbs!  I can't imagine!  Hence the TaeBo. On that note... gotta go make dinner.  Dancing with the Stars Tonight!!  I am excited. And last week's Lost was a good one!!  Angie

katoMato

Hi Ladies, Yeah - all i heard on this thread were the crickets. Of course I was not paying attention, i was in a funk. And it was funky. And i saw no reason to go on. And it was still funky. And my life was a mess. And it was still funky.  Then i remembered that when i'd stopped my birth control pills in order to get pregnant 26 years ago i was in a similar funk. And IT was funky. Hormone Plummeting equals Deep Blue Funk. So, i came to the conclusion that my LIFE is not a mess. My HORMONES are. Funk is funk and it's gonna happen. (because you know what they say: funk happens. ok. You're right, nobody says that.) but chemically induced funk is just a lie. If i'm gonna be in a funk, i want a better reason than my banished hormones. Ya dig? (All they ever did was get me into trouble in my youth, and look at them now. STILL AT IT. Miserable friends. Out with them.) And it's not funky anymore! Life is good, people are wonderful...(ok. don't give me your lists of idiots, i have my own. and i'm DEALING WITH IT.)

Nash, I've got the poodle thing happening BIG TIME and I'm really into it. Just a LITTLE bit longer and i'll be able to PART my hair. 

nash

I hear ya, Kaye. I started my tamoxifen a week ago, and it was an ugly, ugly week. I was so cranky even I didn't want to be around myself. I was dizzy, nauseous, headachey, and so agitated and out of sorts that I thought I was losing my mind. So last night I switched the pill to the night instead of the morning, and it seems that I slept through most of the delightful side effects. I was having weird dreams anyhow, so it doesn't matter if I'm agitated while I sleep. 

The thought of 5 years on the tamoxifen, then an oophrectomy and five years on an AI about did me in. I really can't do this for ten years. But so far switching the time has helped a bit, so I'm really hoping it will do the trick. Because otherwise I may rip my oncologist's throat out at the next visit.

OK, Angie, I'm off to watch DWTS, too. At least that's one bright spot! 

katoMato

ok. I'll start watching DWTS too.

I think it will create less of a disturbance than the murderous rampage i was planning. 

BTW, Angie, we have evil neighborhood cats too. And it's spring...and you know what THAT means in CatLand. Caterwauling aaaall  niiiiiiiight loooooooong. My 22 year old is fascinated. He says they're out whoring, and does an amusing impersonation. (I tell him to watch his language.)

(see what i mean about those hormones? I'd like to oopherectomize each one of their fuzzy little selves. THEN maybe i could get some sleep.) 

Harley44

nash,

I haven't seen you around, on the Tamoxi-train thread! 

Sorry to hear that you are having problems adjusting to it.  I want to encourage you though because TWO weeks ago, I had an emotional meltdown, driving my car home from grocery shopping! 
I ran into my neighbors, house, and just fell into her arms!  I cried, I can't DO this for FIVE years!  She is so sweet, she just held me and soothed me.

Anyway, I SEEM to be doing MUCH better now.. not having as many hot flashes at night..  but now that I said it, I'll probably have the night from HELL!!

So, there is hope!  Maybe you will also find that things smooth out after a few weeks. 

Hugs

Harley

DGHoff

Hello All,

Yikes, I'm getting worried now about starting on Tamoxifen. I go in on Friday for Herceptin again and I'll be getting the prescription at that time.  Oh well. It will keep my family and coworkers on their toes if they don't know when weepy DeAnn will show up.

I had a follow up today with my plastic surgeon. He is so sweet, he always gives me a hug. His sister is going through this all too, and she's just a few weeks behind me in treatment. So I think he kind of sees in me a lot of her and really wants things to be right for me. Anyway, I've been not very happy with my implant because it is under the chest muscle, and it seems to have migrated upwards a bit and wants to stay there.  It doesn't look too bad, but it definitely is higher than my other breast and it feels really awkward anytime I move my arm. Not pleasant. He noticed right away that it wasn't quite where I would want it to be, and he's calling the insurance company to try to make sure we can redo it. 

I'd have it replaced over the muscle instead of under, and hope that my body heals OK with my radiatied tissue. I'm so glad that I may have the option to redo it because, honestly, I don't think I would ever get used to the way it is now. Your boobs just are not supposed to be muscular. And, I'm probably making it worse by being so diligent with yoga and building up that muscle. Sigh. What's a girl to do? Maybe eat chocolate? 

DeAnn 

nash

Hey, DeAnn. Don't worry about the tamoxifen--some girls don't have any se's at all. Just wait and see how it goes. Glad to hear your PS is so on top of things. And in the face of a migrating boob, I think the only sensible course of action is to consume chocolate.

wackyjackie

Hi Girls,

Nash...LOL...I agree about the chocolate!!!

DeAnn...don't worry too much about tamoxifen(that's a stupid statement!).  I was a little dizzy and a little nauseous in the beginning, but I'm okay now.   I started taking tamox on 1/25/08, while I was still in rads.  My main side effect is extra-extra hot, hot flashes.  I should really sleep on a sponge instead of a mattress.  But I'll take that over other se's.   

Angie...Love the comment about fitting some ladies in your old bra.  I almost spit my coffee out this morning. My old bra could have fit them in it too.  I'm glad to hear you are feeling okay.

Kaye, I can't wait to get the poodle look!!! Hope your funk is over.

Harley, sorry you were so upset but sometimes it's good to just let it out.  Lucky for you that you have a neighbor like that.  Five years is a long time, but at least we have each other.

Kimmie, how are you?  June? Hope I didn't leave any one out.

Have a great night.

Hugs, Jackie

wackyjackie

Lilith?  How are you????

katoMato

Hi Ladies,

Harley, how wonderful that you have a neighbors house you can run in to! (If i did that to any of my neighbors, they'd call the police.) 

And I'm taking notes here... chocolate, check. sleeping on the sponge, check.

AbsoLUTEly brilliant.

Knowing my brain, i'll be sleeping on the chocolate, and complaining about the sponge. (not a bad idea, after a moments thought)

DeAnn, i hope your insurance will cover a re-do...if not - don't worry. Vertical boobs might work. WHO SAYS they have to go like this " -- "? WHY NOT like this " : "!?  (see preceding rant on the subject of "eyebrows". Do NOT get me started.)

Hey Angie - has the seroma re-absorbed?