please help

barbe1958

Cathi so sweet! And I'm not a dog person, but she's like a cat....

We should have a new thread for "Have you taken your meds?". Check in twice a day and tick your name off. 

geebung

Has anybody heard of a book called "Pleasurable Kingdom" by Jonathan Balcombe? It's about he inner lives of animals - ie their ability to feel pleasure, appreciate beauty etc. You will never look at  a fish or a rat in the same way again if you read this book! This afternoon Blossom caught a young rat (it looked like a teenager). She carried it upstairs and when she let it go, it appeared to be unhurt. Every time she tried to catch it, the poor thing screamed. It was heart rending. I locked B out of the room. By this time the rat had climbed the curtains and was running along the curtain rail. I nudged it down with a broom, opened the window and put a chair under it (the window). Within seconds the poor thing had jumped to safety.

Poor Lisa! It's so easy to forget to take your medication. Must have given you a fright. I'm so glad it wasn't worse - how scary!

geebung

Shirlann - so glad your hip is feeling better but a drag that you have to do the pool exercises. Poor Cleo - if she went with you, she would meow resentfully. Cats think they want to go for a walk with you but they haven't a clue about walking sensibly - they tend to race up trees, get left behind and have to run to catch up - then they are out of breath and panting.

Karen - typical comment from someone who doesn't get it, as Cathi said. Still, it hurts. Even though I had DCIS, I still wonder at aches, pains and twinges - I must be a "hyperchondriac" too. I think we all feel this way - I guess time will ease these concerns somewhat.

Lisa - if Michael misses out on getting to know and appreciate you then I just feel sorry for him too. One of these days, I hope you meet someone who would be happy to swim crocodile-infested rivers to see you.

AE - I saw that you deleted your post. I hope you come back soon. Lots of love to you and UB.

Love to everyone else too.

my3girls

Thanks girls on all the positive comments. I have to tell you though...it does goe thru my mind..."what is wrong with me". Not trying to feel sorry for myself...just wonder...why nothing works out.  But..I am leaving it all in God's hands...he will find someone worthy I hope!

Date last night went well.  Not sure if there is chemistry..but he is very nice, good manners..nice looking..etc.

Val..how is UB?? please update us!

Jane  that book sounds really interesting.  I can just imagine my little Oliver..appreciating eveything around him.

Karen, don't listen to what hubby says. I really think they DONT understand at all. He is being insensitive...just try and ignore those comments. Love ya!

Back to work ladies. Feal 100% better now that the meds are straight...lol!!

xoxo

Lisa

lvtwoqlt

Lisa, when I was taking tamox (only for 6 months) I had to have one of the daily pill boxes to remind me to take the medicine. I would sit every Sunday and put all my vitamins and medicines in each compartment and kept the box next to the sink so I would see it and remember to take my medicines. Just one look and I would notice that I had missed a daily dose.

This week has been crazy, the programer re-wrote the program for the labels and 'turbo charged' the zebra printers. On one printer the original program took about 2 hours to print a roll of labels now takes about 45 minutes so I have been busy going from one printer to another changing labels/ribbons and picking up the printed labels off the floor and folding them for the warehouse. So no time to post, and barely enough time to read.

I love the picts of Margo, she is so cute.

Shirlann I am envious, a pool in your back yard and the doctor requires you to get in it. Although not for the hip exercises.

Val, I also want to know about UB.

Can't remember all that I read over the last 3 or 4 days but to everyone, HAPPY SPRING!

Sheila

lvtwoqlt

Netti, about your knitting, check out www.lionbrand.comin their pattern section and they have some nice (free) chemo caps patterns to knit or crochet that made out of soft yarns will feel so comfortable on your now bald head. I crochet some caps for the local wig bank, never got the knack for knitting. but I do crochet and sew. I used to sew my clothes but now am doing more quilts/wall hangings. My mom said that when she was growing up, she didn't want the 'homemade' clothes but the nice store bought clothes like the other kids wore (dr and lawyer children), until her and her 2 sisters had matching skirts made out of fabric with a piano keyboard around the hem (each girl had different color keys) and the 'rich' kids were asking where to buy those skirts. The thing is a neighbor also had a skirt out of the same fabric and made off the same full skirt pattern. This was in the 50's with the full skirts with the starched crinoline underneath.

Makratz

Sheila,

I agree with the pill box.  I use to laugh at my grandparents, telling them I know I'll be old when I get a pill box.  Well, I guess I am old at 42.  I am so glad that I have it.  There is no doubt whether or not I've taken my meds.  It's also an easy way to add vitamins, etc to the mix and make sure you actually take them.  They are about 1.00 at walmart!

lvtwoqlt

Before my grandparents were put in the nursing home, they had a system to sort their pills. They had a plastic sewing box with all their pill bottles in, and every morning when Grandma was fixing their breakfast, Grandpa would open the box, set out 6 medicine cups (morning, afternoon, evening for each) and put the medicines in each cup and put the morning pill cup by their plate. The afternoon/evening cups would be stacked together and set back in the top of the box and at each mealtime he would open the box and get the pill cup out for that meal. My grandfather felt it was an important job to sort the medicines. He wasn't the fastest but he made sure that they got all their medicines at the correct time. If any of the bottles were getting low, he would make a note of that medicine for Grandma to call in the pharmacy or pick up the vitamins that they needed the next time they went to town.

I actually got my pill boxes at a grocery/pharmacy that was going out of business and I paid .10 each for the 3 I have. Sure they are marked with the Winn Dixie logo on the sides but who cares. I have written on them morning/afternoon/evening to make sure that I take the calcium 3 times a day.

Sheila

portiasproudmom

I don't know what my parents would have done without those pill boxes.  My dad was on multiple meds for his heart, and it would have been horribly confusing without them!

bbl--I'm alone with the kids this weekend.  Hubby is at an out-of-town golf tourney.  I'm meeting my bbf, Lisa, and an old friend from high school (he lives on the other side of the mountains now) for lunch and a drink.  He was like our dorkey younger brother back then.  Should be fun!

Hugs,

Karen

barbe1958

My husband does all my morning meds and leaves them by the computer for me to take with my tea. The night meds I have to do myself so they are by my TV spot to take with my tea. When I go away I use the very small ziploc baggies, two for each day. I can tell by colour which are morning and which are night. Once flying internationally I worried security would have wanted to see the original prescription bottles and if I didn't have them they'd take away my meds! They didn't.... 

my3girls

I don't think I need the pill box just yet...lol. I knew I needed them..and actually, my pharmacy does an automatic refill.  All I have to do is stop and pick it up.  I just had NO idea that the side effects from missing 2 doses would be so severe!

Karen..have fun with your friends!!! Sounds like a good time...that you very much deserve!! Enjoy the hubby away too!  It's always nice when your schedule is different.

xoxo

Lisa

livesstrong

Hello Ladies - sorry I have been MIA.  The post I deleted was a link to an email I got about 2 Koala Bears from Australia who were burned in the fires - it was a cute story but I couldn't get it to work.

Here is latest on UB - he isn't going to wait the 3 weeks to go back to the onky.  He is going next week with me (I have my 6 month follow up).  He hasn't been feeling good - very fatigued, he still gets short of breath and his kidney still bothers him.  So bottom line is he'll probably do the chemo. We'll know more next week. 

Bootface - the gift that keeps on giving.

Haven't read back much (you ladies are very chatty- lol).

Cathi - soooo sorry to hear about your daughter.  I will add her to my prayers.  Please keep us posted. Margo is adorable - the best of luck with her.

Karen - try not to stress over what your DH said.  Bottom line is -  if you haven't gone through what we have gone through you just don't understand.  Period.

Shirlann - so good to see you my friend,  Hope things get back to normal for you soon.  We miss you around here!

Sue - what's the latest on your vacation?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Lisa - Hang in the gf.  You know what they say - there is someone out there for everyone.

Jane - it's fall there now, right?  Must be so pretty in the mountains.

Big shout out to nana & nettie - you are getting closer and closer to OZ.  Hang in there! You're doing great.

dink -big Hello to you as well.

Barbe - not sure if we have met - nice to see you here.

Well ladies, have to walk the dogs.

Hugs,

AE

cloudhowe

Hi Chicks and Chappies,

Guess what I've got?

NO HAIR AT ALL!!!!

THANK GOD.

Got it shaved off today (I look like a Bond villan now) and feel so much CLEANER.  We get 6 sessions of Holistic therapy (for me and my ANGEL SISTER, MOIRA!!!!!) at the Onc unit - a beautiful therapy room and I got the hairy 'whisps' - horror film scenario - whisked away, A couple of sore spots on the scalp, from scratching in my sleep. But otherwise, I feel cleansed. Anyone else felt that way? Still got brows, and most lashes, so don't look as much as a big, fat, white, bald baby (with boobs) that I feared! So we had an hour of Reiki each ( I had mine while she walked Tommy, the Goof Dog, then I chilled in the hosp cafe, even with a sore tongue - yep, got the sore mouth now-  had a hot chocolate. I still feel stoned! What is it about these therapies?

Only 2 more FECKING courses to go, then the big unknown - ultrasound next Thur to scan the shrinkage. I now feel ubsurdly optimistic. The surgery holds no fear for me, pain doesnt, the rads WILL burm - but my old pal Aloe Vera will take care of that. I scalded my leg last night (misplaced cup of boling hot tea), chopped off a frond of my plant and applied it. My nephew shrieked 'That plant must hate you' - but I told him that it was only a wee trim for Vera!) The soles of my feet are burning and my heels cracked, but I got a wee tub of Shea Butter for that, from the hospital.

Love you all

Nettie Xx 

Makratz

Nettie,

Glad you are feeling better.  You're nephew sounds like a hoot!

Take care.

NanaOfTen

Hi all,

Been away for a while. Chemo kicking my bottom this time. Take my pain meds and sitll sit and rub the joings, muscles, and the tears flow. The bloody nose today. Seems each tx the side effects come sooner and stronger. I prayed to God for the strength for the rest of the tx's.

Losing weight. Food has no taste and with no appetite, there is even less desire to eat. No appetite, food doesn't taste like anything ... why bother? I have to remind myself to eat each day. My blood work's been okay, so so far been safe. But am stepping up my game, just ate a piece of fish and sum veggies.

Cathi, warm thoughts to you and your daughter. I have two daughters, I so do not want them to go through this, I can only imagine your fear. Margo is absolutely adorable.

AE, prayers to you and UB,

enough, already, bootface, you have enough of us!!

Nettie, I too, am bald, not a hair on my head. When I showered last saturday and the hair was falling in large clumps, I decided I could take it no more, too emotional, and had my son shave my head. I go tomorrow to be fitted for my wig.

My onc office called. I have to go in later monday for my blood draw so I will be there when my doc is. Seems the onc nurse, who does the chemo. says the port is too deep. I pray they do not have to replace it. I know when he pushes the needle in for the chemo, he has always said "big push now" because he has to put a lot of pressure to get it to connect.

Lots of posts to read, I read them all, love you all,

Cheryl

portiasproudmom

Nettie and Cheryl--bald is beautiful!!!  Most of us have been there, and we have nicer hair now than we did before.  Hang in there!! 

I'll pray that that your port won't have to be re-inserted, Cheryl

Hugs,

Karen

NancyD

Hi ladies! My father was admitted to the hospital yesterday. He had an attack of diverticulitis. He's had these before, and generally, they're not fatal, but at his age anything could be fatal. Please keep him in your prayers.

Nettie and Cheryl...{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}. A year ago today I had my first chemo. And between the taste changes and constipation, I was not happy. Add the baldness on top of that (it was still a couple of weeks away), and I will say that last Spring was a period of big adjustment for me.

Stay on top of the things you can control...don't skip your anti-nausea meds, but do listen to your body. My onc had too many in my mix and it really bound me up. Knowing that I might be sentencing myself to "praying to the porcelin god", I asked that at least one be dropped. So instead of three, I went to two, and things were much better.

Have a nice weekend, everyone. Find a happy place and take a few moments to enjoy it. Spring is here!

Makratz

Nancy, will keep your dad in my prayers.  That's very uncomfortable. Hope he gets better quickly.

mzmiller99

Nancy - hope your dad recovers quickly!  That stuff is so not fun.

my3girls

Praying for you dad Nancy. It is difficult when our elderly parents have anything wrong with them. You were last year going thru your chemo and I was this time 2 yrs ago.

So...Nettie and Cheryl..I too have been there..8 tx's and no hair. I do remember when I had my head shaved..it was a huge relief!! It really felt good.  You will get used to it..and before you know it..like Val said..you are on your way to the Emerald City..and it gets closer everyday.

Val..I am glad UB is going with you to the onky. Sorry to hear that he is having pain..and that chemo may be again on his menu...damn BOOTFACE..you ARE ROTTEN..AND WE HATE YOU!!!

Val...I hope you are right...and that MR. RIGHT...is somewhere in my future...but I can wait.

Off to lunch at work...ttyl

xoxo

Lisa

NanaOfTen

ok, is the Emerald City when we are done with treatment? I'm on the walk of the yellow brick road?

lol

curious

my3girls

Yes Cheryl..you are correct.  We started down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City with our dear Sue a year and a half ago. We used that analogy...and Sue was our Dorothy...and Val is our Aunt Em..that is why we refer to her as AE. Some of us had already been down the road..and some came along the road after our Dorothy..but it is a road we traveled along with whomever had to travel it.  Our Emerald City is such a great place to finally be, when you are done with treatment...you too Cheryl will be in Emerald city before you know it...."just follow the yellow brick road".......................

Lisa

Makratz

Thanks for the lesson Lisa.  I didn't know that about AE.  Is there a Toto??

NanaOfTen

We now have a resident Toto ... Margo!!!

Makratz

Of course, I'm sure Cathi won't mind.

cloudhowe

Hi Guys

You do realise that you guys are my new addiction!

Well, I slept like a baby last night - the nurse work me up at 10.30 to give me the jab. They are so wonderful, these District Nurses. Like old friends already. My cousin Yvonne and I were up til 5am the previous night. She is on this Lighter Life Diet (NO FOOD, just supplements, black tea and water) But we sank a BIG bottle of cider, LOVED it, tasted great (so does Guiness, by the way). No hangover or anything today! Just a long lie (a sleep in). She will get hell at her wiegh in - they actually test the urine (I think that sounds a bit Nazi .. any thoughts on that ?) She has lost about 30 pounds in 12 weeks though ..

Re the hair situation. I feel SUCH relief. Woke up withour hair in my eyes, mouth.  If I could relive the last month. I would get my head shaved at the first 'tingle' Nice hair, then a baldie napper (head) rather than nice hair, radiation victim living in a hairstorm - how does it get EVERYWHERE??????, baldie napper.

I actually went shopping BY MYSELF today, now that the finances appear to be in the course of being sorted. I though dammit, treat day so I bought some nice nightwear, crystalised ginger - yum yum yum, yoghurt coated ginger, Vitamin D - is it good to take that? I'm sure I came across that in my meandering research, and lavender oil ... It felt like a GOOOOOD cancer shop. I was really tired, and consumed with thirst, and  because my heels are sore, was walking like an old lady, I wore the bandana with a wee contrast scarf wound through it (kept coming undone - me frantically trying to push it back, scared that an errant gust of wind would blow it away like a comedy scetch) went grocery shopping, and got a taxi home from my local Asda. I know the driver quite well (I do live live in a largish village) and he did avoid my eye and didn't mention the headgear, bu he did take my packages right into my home. So I think that's a lot of fears conquered!!! The family will be raging when (if!) I tell them I went to Glasgow on my own - it's an hour away by bus. They thought I was having a lazy 'day in' watching Slumdog Millionaire. I Thank God I have them. This has really brought us even closer.

Cheryl, my sweet wee fellow adventurer. We are at the same stage of Chemo I think. I too, have no appetite, so I am just taking tapas type portions of things I love and can taste - slivers of good cheese and apple, ginger, wee Special 'K' nibble packs, dried fruit, ginger anything Will try these yogurt covered ginger this evening .... Got to be strong for Chemo sweetie. Do you like tea? I dring it by the gallon? And they have all of these great fruit ones so you never get bored. Wish I could give you a hug. But your humour still shines through!!

Nancy, your poor dad. I know nothing about his condition? Is it some kind of Gastric/ulcer problem? It sounds ghastly. You have been so good to me N. Please know I will NEVER forget it. Your daddy is in my prayers. Oh,I am a lapsed Catholic of the Irish variety, I have an uncle who is a Canon! And a deceased uncle who was a Jeb (Jesuit) So even though I am an 'auld heathen', my family are very much devout. My sis is having masses offered for all of you every Sunday. By name. I hope you don't mind? So if you give me your Daddy name, he will be mentioned personally. It always concludes with "and all of those who are stuggling with illness and their families and loved ones" But if you want aspecil mention, just give his first name .....

I guessed the OZ analogy because it was so apt! I love the idea of being on the same road with fellow travellers and you guys are the best best best! Margo as ToTo - genious!!!!!!

Cathi - any news on Jacklyn? Why do test take so very long to come back????? It's torture.

AE - how are you coping? You and Judie are wise women. I mean in the real sense. Kind knowledgleble, poetic, worldly but uncorrupted. Judie, need some more posts! Are you a writer, because you have the gift. Like I say - a WORDSMITH.

Lisa - you really make me smile. Does anything get you down!! Treat these guys like dry runs and slightly beneath you. Which they are!! I KNOW. Pretend you are a snooty Englishwoman, or Frenchwoman - just their attitude, I mean. Like this is a social project you are doing! You can do it, and I think you would have a blast. Keep glancing at your watch, make avant guard political points, talk about obsure subjects, act a wee bit bored ....  what d'ya think?

And Jane. I havent read that book but from birth, I have always known that if we have soul, than it wouldn't make sence that aminals didn't. Who would want Heaven without animals? That's why I am a veggie - well a fish eating veggie. And somtimes, chicken. But THERE I draw the line. I love animal lovers. Anyone who could be cruel to an wee defensless wee beast is that much closer to doing it to to a person, a baby ....And by God, there are so many of them out there.

Anyhow, Slumdog Millionaire calls, than an early night methinks, in my new pink nightie with a cat on it saying PURRFECT.. corny but what the hell.

Goodnight and sweet dreams

Nettie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

geebung

Ah Nettie - I savoured your warm and amusing post over my morning cup of tea. I am glad you are finding tempting things to eat and having all-night drinking sessions with your cousin - I wish I had been a fly on the wall! I have been meaning to see Slumdog Millionaire for weeks. I've heard good things about it.

Nancy, I'm saying prayers for your dear father. Hope he can get some relief soon.

Cheryl, praying that these side effects will diminish soon and that the next chemo will be not as cruel. I hope you can find something to tempt you to eat soon. Loved your suggestion for Margot/Tonto! What a feisty little mascot she is!

AE - praying that UB will get some relief after chemo. It stinks that he has to go through more chemo but if it helps keep the vile bootface at bay...

Yes, it's fall in the mountains. We only have one or two deciduous native trees in this country so lots of exotics have been planted - especially here in the mountains and they are just starting to be tinged in their autumn colours. Nights are cool and it's nice for walking. Don't have any energy at the moment though as I have a bad cough which wakes me up at 2am. I've been getting up and making a cup of tea and reading/surfing net. That's the beauty of living mostly alone - you can rage all night if you want to and don't disturb anyone! My dh is coming up in a few hours for a couple of days so I will have to be more considerate while he is here.  

Karen, hope you had a great time with your friends. I have husband-free weeks and brief, concentrated husband-weekends!

Sheila, sounds like a hectic week at work for you. I wish I had your sewing skills. I have done a couple of courses and made quite nice things each time but there was a lot of input from the teacher! (And quite a lot of unpicking!)

Barb, your husband sounds like a good man to sort your pills out like that. So far, I only have one pill to take each day - and I'm flat out remembering to take it. I'd hate to think what I would be like with several.

Love to everyone.

Jane xoxox 

NanaOfTen

Hi everyone,

Nettie, my onc has me taking stress tabs with zinc and 1000 u's of vitamin D each day as well as my calicum 1000 w/D. I guess chemo recks havoc on our bones and the D helps.

Makratz

Geebung - I love the fall, it sounds wonderful there!  Enjoy the time with your husband!

Nettie - glad you spoiled yourself today.  You deserve it.  Sometimes it's exactly what we need after spending so much time and energy taking care of everyone else.  Enjoy the movie!!

geebung

Hi Linda - I love the fall too. It's a perfect day here. Winter will soon be gone there with blossom and new leaves about to burst out. Spring is such a hopeful season.