Starting chemo Dec 2007

Laurita60091

Hello ladies,

Welcome Susana, I am sorry you had such a rough time with the Cytoxan.  If they can't try and administer it differently there are also other chemo drugs (I lovingly call them poisons) that fit into that category (alkylating agents).  The ones in this group I hear of being used here are carboplatin and cysplatin.  I'm not sure how things are done in Spain but I would think your oncologist should be able to try something else.  Perhaps a second opinion is warranted.  Just don't give up or let them give up.  Keep asking questions and they will have to give you answers.  Check out this wikipedia link that I find quite handy, because at the bottom of the page it has a table that groups the poisons by category. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclophosphamide

Warm hugs and best of luck to you.  We are here for you. 

Wishiwere, I really hope the antibiotic helps with your scalp rash.  KMK, that must have been scary! I know our nurses note exactly how they administered the dose each time and try to repeat exactly if things went well, or change if things did not.  I hope you never have to go thru that again.

I really feel for all you ladies who are having to put up with sore throats, mouths, scalps, bone pain, headaches, sleeplessness, clutziness, and all the rest.  I feel fortunate to not be plagued with anything too debilitating, other than those two days of nasty stomach, and fatigue.  I read somewhere else on this forum, 9 pm is the new midnight.  I can relate to that.  You all deserve big hugs for slogging through all of this and still managing to get on here and help others feel better.

Hair inventory: have done no more shaving of anything, scalp stubble thinned more this week.  Leg hair seems to have stopped growing and thinned. Armpits, shaved a few weeks ago and no more growth.

Here all of the labs/clinics are working over max capacity, which is why there are long waiting lists for everything.  Example:  A week or so post-surgery one Saturday/Sunday my snb site swelled up golf-ball size/shape virtually in 24 hours.  I was worried because I hadn't heard of such a distinct, localized swelling due to lymphedema so I went to emergency.  It took over 5 hrs before I got to see the doctor (because they triage you and if you are not on the verge of death you keep getting pushed down the list).  It is crazy.  Turned out it was lymph fluid.  Anyway, I am feeling back to my old "get it done" self and got on the phone yesterday with surgeon's office, so I will see him on next Wednesday with the lump as well.  He is good because he can tell quite a lot by how the lump feels.  The surgeon's office recommended a call to my family doctor's office to see if they could get the lab appointment for U/S and mammo pushed up, and that they did.  I now have an appointment for Jan 29.  That is much more bearable and just the day after I get back from Cuba, so I am happy with that.

Someone asked a while back how to insert a URL link.  Just copy/paste it, then while still copied to clipboard, click on the link icon above (to the right of copy icon) or right-click in the link text, and select to insert link, then paste link in the URL window.

Good luck today Amy, thinking of you...

Hugs to all

susana46

Thanks Laurita

I am going to look at that right now. I feel a bit lost at the moment as I´m also waiting for a biopsy to be taken from a small lump on my head and hoping that it´s not related to the BC. Bones lungs & liver were all clear on my pre chemo scans so am keeping fingers crossed. I was so strong and positive till my reaction incident ( also coincided with the hair loss)and have lost the plot slightly at the moment.

I really feel for all the ladies going this right now.

Sue

suz45

Hi all, Well tx yesterday was uneventful and quick. I don't feel too bad so far, tired, very spacey, have a bit of a headache but so far se's are very manageable. Three down.. thats more than a third of the way through this part. Now on the the evil N shot today

Sue, a warm welcome from another Sue in Canada. Its good that your pushing for more answers. We have to stand up for ourselves to try and get the best treatments possible. Again welcome to our group and good luck.

Amy good luck with your tx today. Hope is its all easy and quick. My thoughts are with you. Hugs.

Laura, You brought me to tears with the description of the condition these incredible little sweethearts are in. I didn't realize this. Ive wanted to go to Cuba for quite a few years now, but haven't made it yet. We ended up in Belize, Honduras and I think a cruise our last few trips. I don't know if I could see this and not try to help them all.

My first meeting with a Havanese dog was while shopping at my local home depot  4 or 5 years ago. Within 15 minutes I fell in love and knew when the time was right this was the breed I wanted. Did extensive research on the breed and quality breeders in our area and added Sophia to our family two years ago. Her mom is pure Cuban and looks just like Sophie and dad is a chocolate champion. Her breeder holds all breeding rights, but its my choice on if she has a litter. I was going to let her have a litter this winter but a little problem (fubc & chemo) came up so I held off. My dh is worried that if she has pups I will keep most of them 4 or 5 little angels, well maybe. I am passionate about these gems and have homes waiting  for most of her puppies. I did think about looking for one in Cuba but didn't get very far. Had heard that over breeding was a problem, but not the neglect. I wish I could do something about it. Sorry for rambling on, I cant help myself when it comes to the this most incredible dog around.

Sal here is anothe pic almost like the avatar of Sophie. She's a stop and smell the flowers girl.

Enough chatter love & hugs to all

Suz

KMK

Cute puppy Suz in Canada. I am so glad Laura you got your schedule ironed out.Suz in Spain I can totally relate to being nervous about your reaction. I was so looking forward to counting those tx down and now I am fearful. I know I need to get over this and trust the docs will know how to handle. Just more down this time. This is normally my PMS time so maybe that's it as well. I hope you get some answers. My baldness is getting me a little down too. It is too blatant of a reminder of my BC. I heard that too will pass and will learn to accept. Have a great visit in Cuba Laura. Amy looking forward to hear how your day went.

thanks for the posting above-it is great to keep track of everyone.

KMK

bibliowarrior

Totally goofy mood... whenever I come home from chemo, my hubby stops and buys me a balloon to celebrate. This time I got one with "The Justice League"... super heroes... Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash Gordon, etc.

Like I say, I'm in a totally goofy mood tonight. Just inserting this for chuckles.

Enjoy.

-Sal

Laurita60091

Sal, you crack me up. You have such a great sense of humour and some days that is all we need to get through the day. You are quite the creative warrior, lol! Hope you can dodge the SE's.

Saw the onc today, pre-poisoning bloodwork. Wbc low again, so Monday will be 3/4 of the day in there getting bloodwork done and getting poisoned. Oh well.....He examined the lump, thinks it is fibrocystic. I certainly hope he is right.

Hang in there KMK. I know it is really hard sometimes. I really dread the chemo, even without having had a bad reaction. When I think about it I can taste and feel that yucky Cytoxan behind the eyes stuffed head feeling and I dread it.
Gee, I thought my brain was ok but am finding I just made a lot of really unusual typos. Not a good sign...

Lori, hope you are enjoying life without SE's.
Wishiwere - happy scalp healing!
Amy, Kate, Sharon - hope you have been ok after tx.
Joy, hope you are feeling better too.
Cindy, hope you are just busy enjoying life and hopefully without headaches etc.
Suz, the dog is sooooo cute. Actually have not seen many dogs that look like that in Cuba. Perhaps they are now somewhat rare, as are the aristocracy who were purported to have them there, originally. Adorable.
Hugs to all - have a great weekend!

wishiwere

Sal~ I think you should sell those!  You could be our new 'Super-Hero' She-devil!    Love that pose!  Hoping everyone is doing well tonight too!

Thanks Laurita.  I think this cream might be doing its job.  Not sure, but I think so.  Only one day application, so we'll see by the end of the weekend!  I just want to shave the last of the pricklies off so I don't color fuzz of hats and catch everything in it too! I feel like a fuzz-buster some days!

loriann

Hi all!  Well, I've been pretty blah this week overall.  Just tired mostly!  Felt a little more normal yesterday and went to Target.  It was the first time I left the house since Tuesday...other than work, of course.  I worked all my normal hours last week so maybe that had something to do with it.  Feel pretty good so far today...maybe I can get some housework done.

Sal, Love the balloon idea!  Balloons are always fun !  Glad you seem to be doing well after tx.

Laura, Hope your Dr. is right about your new lump!  Wishing you a good day tomorrow with no SE's!!  Enjoy your trip when it rolls around as well!  I just know it will be a spirit booster for you!!

Hope all the rest of you are doing great!  Lori

loriann

Morning all! Hope everyone is feeling great!

Sal, Happy Birthday!  Hope you have a fantastic day and do something fun!! Enjoy!

Laura, Thinking of you today!  Hoping tx goes easy on you!!  Think happy thoughts!!

Lori

clsd

Happy Happy Birthday to you Sal ! To the best year ever! xo 

Hello everybody. I am hoping that my sisters in Baltitude are having a good day, and had a super weekend. I have not been on the computer lately, but I have been thinking and speaking of you ladies so much! I drive my dh crazy; he tries to keep you and some of the chatter straight, but gets so confused. Very cute that he tries though.

A, thanks for posting all the info at the top of the page. It looks like Laura has treatment today. Good luck, and I hope that your day is as smooth as possible. I also pray that everyone's ses are not too horrible, and that we are starting to figure out the best way to navigate through out treatments as easy as possible.

Hair update ( I remember someone asked ); I have some lingering peach fuzz on my head that seems to be holding tight. Eyebrows and lashes thinning, and having no need to shave anymore is a plus.

Wishiwere, how is your scalp doing? any improvements? hope so.

Laura, my husband is Cuban, ( came to US when he was 2), and we always talk about one day taking a trip there, or maybe even having a small home there if Cuba ever opens up. I hope you have the best vacation ever. I am hoping to sneak away in Feb before radiation starts.....somewhere warm ! What are you planning to to with your baltitude, to protect it from the sun, and when swimming?

Sending warm hugs to you all. Be strong. We will win ! xo cld

suz45

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLY

 

Hope you have a wonderful fun filled (at least relaxing se free day) Much love and well wishes sent your way.

Big Hugs

Laura, hope all goes well today with your tx. Warm hug for a problem free day, we're right with you in thoughts and prayers. 

Hope everyone else is well, busy day as I have to catch a ferry to the island in a few.

Love and Hugs to all.

Suz

Dx 10/19/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIb, Grade 2, 1/21 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-

bibliowarrior

Laura, thinking of you and your tx. Big hug.

Thanks, all, for the birthday wishes. Since we knew there was going to be a bad snowstorm today, my hubby and I celebrated yesterday. Had a very nice time... just did some clothes shopping and then went out to eat at a nice restaurant. He bought me a tiny vaporizor to help with my dry nose so hopefully no more nose bleeds... not the most romantic present, but definitely appreciated. He also said we are going to take a trip to Yellowstone Park this summer once I'm feeling better (!!!), so that is something very nice to look forward to. I am a very lucky person.

Had a nice weekend, although the semi-queasies came to town and wouldn't go away all weekend. Tummy feeling better today, but instead I was kinda tired-- always sumthin, eh? Worked a full day and was exhausted at the end of the day, but felt revived when I got home and had supper... hot corn chowder on a snowy day, yum yum!!!

Gonna go relax now. Wishing you all peace and warmth.

-Sal 

bapnkat

Hi everyone.  Believe it or not, I am just beginning to feel normal again after Wednesday's chemo.  It was bad.  I felt like I had a ball sitting in my stomach and not long after I got home I threw up.  It was the only time I threw up, but I sure felt like I was going to many times.  The next day when I went in for my shot, they gave me liquid through the port cause I told them I couldn't eat or drink right then.  I hope this gets better after the next two when I switch to the taxtol stuff.  Right now it is just the cytoxin and adremacin?  Not sure of the spelling but whatever I call the red stuff the bad jello that hates me, cause it makes me so sick.  I tried chewing the ginger and everything.  the icky feeling is just starting to go away, and I don't know what to do.  I so wanna quit, but I know that just wouldn't help me anyway.  ICK ICK ICK...

Anyway, enough of that.  How is everyone else?  Our weather here has been snow snow and more snow, although we did have a couple of fairly warm days. 

Take care everyone

Kate

bapnkat

Happy Birthday SALLY

Laurita60091

Happy Birthday, Sal!

Click the link below the picture to view the card.

Love and hugs from Laura

http://www.jibjab.com/sendables/view/7Ms14d6v0ay7sBUYFrrB4PmM

loriann

OK, So I just had to look at Sally's birthday card.  OMG!!  Too funny!  That was very cute! 

We got some fresh snow here and my driveway drifts pretty bad so rather than get stuck in it, I'm staying home from work today!!  It was my short day (3 hours) anyway, so no biggie!  Hopefully my Uncle will come and plow before 10 though cuz I gotta pick up my daughter from school!  High school exams this week so only 1/2 days for her and no school on Friday.  There goes my house!!  LOL

Hope you are all doing great and thinking of you all!  Lori

beasgirl

Hi all!

Happy birthday, Sally--sorry I missed the actual day--I was thinking of you as the snow dumped down. Loved the card, Laura--I thought the joke was going to be because the eggs looked like all of us and our baldy heads!! Awesome!

I have been feeling much more "in control" of the chemo stuff lately, if not exactly enjoying it...I think I've figured out when I feel better and when I feel worse, and can plan around that, which is a giant relief. Of course it took nearly 6 weeks to work it out--I guess that's the price of starting at Christmas/flu season--but at least the next 6 weeks can be a little smoother.

Rats--I had a picture of my young'uns up, but it disappeared--I'll have to wrastle with the computer a little more. I've been loving seeing everyone's pictures (suz, your dog is SOOO sweet) and hearing about the rest of your lives--what an awesome group of ladies!

Hope everyone is enjoying their day--today the sun came out here, and everything is still very picturesquely covered with snow. ALMOST makes me not hate winter.

Still, dreaming of spring, when my hair, and the leaves, all start to grow!

tra la--

Amy. 

wishiwere

Hope everyone is doing well today.

Amy, glad you are getting a hand over the SE's.  2 more and I'm done and like you, nearly tossed in the hat.  But then I figured I'm halfway, it's gotta be easier on the downside right?  2 more, only 2 more!  I don't know how you ladies who do 8-12+ treatments do it! I don't think I could!

Lori, hope you got plowed out and made it safely to get you dd! We didn't get more than 3 inches, but our 'phantom' plow truck was by first thing in the morning!  He's so quick, I think the  only way I can catch him in the dark is to run out in my jammies or bald as birth!  He's such a fast little angel, I've yet to catch him and ID him for certain!

bibliowarrior

Kate, thinking of you and your nausea. I can still remember my first tx when the nausea hit.... totally sucky feeling. Nothing helped. Hang in there. Big hug.

Laura, the card was TOO funny. Thanks. How do people think up these things? And Amy, loved your comment about it looking like a bunch of us, LOL.

wishiwere... I am SOOO happy for you to only have 2 more. I'm living vicariously through your happiness:-)

I'm having an ok day. Low wbc count week, and apparently none of my theories are proving to have any substance, which is discouraging. I've been taking the One-A-Day pills, been keeping my protien above the recommended amount, been drinking the fluids, but still I had the fatigue today... tomorrow is "low" day. Wanted to work 8 hours, but barely lasted 4. Kinda bumbed out because I keep hearing the nurse in my head telling me "the fatigue is cumulative... it'll get worse as you go along" and I wonder, if I'm having this much trouble on cycle #3, what the heck am I going to be like by #8??? I don't feel worse than the last time, but I'm pretty sure my wbc count has dropped just as far. Doesn't help that I didn't sleep well last night, so I'm feeling a bit in the dumps overall today.

But don't mind me. I know I always bounce back, emotionally. Just taking my turn at feeling sorry for myself.

Big hugs.

-Sal 

wishiwere

{{{{Sal}}}}} so sorry you are feeling so poorly.  Feeling down is so hard to understand, and it comes on so quickly for me, that it's surprises me, b/c I just don't understand why it happens?  Maybe think of it as one more till 1/2 way?  I know, when you are down nothing helps, but keep trying!  We're here, offering lots of gently {{hugs}} to get you through this and espeically over this 'right now' hump!  Remember to rest too! Fighting it won't help that accumulative factor. This too will pass....hopefully soon!

beasgirl

Poor you, Sal--  I think the only thing that has really helped me with the tiredness/general yuck feeling is completely giving up! I've just decided I'm OFF on Sat, Sun and Mon. That's it, I do nothing. Anything you get out of me is bonus points. And that doesn't really help me FEEL better, but it lowers my anxiety if I can plan for it.

But I'm on this weird weekly cycle--I think it would be harder if my lows were lower and longer...

The whole weekly thing keeps reminding me of that song that was a hit like ten years ago, "I get knocked down, but I get up again...yadda yadda"...which I think was actually about getting totally p*** drunk, which has SO little to do with this... but still, the refrain...

Kate--hope your tummy has recovered--sounds like you got really pounded. From what I understand, you are definitely doing the hardest part now. Taxol hasn't been very hard on my tummy--just a little icky, but totally manageable. And a couple of other ladies have had stomach troubles the first time around, but (I think) gotten some help from nurses and docs that made the second time easier...? Anyway--hope you're feeling better now.

clsd

Hang in there Sal, I have no doubt with your spirit and commitment that you will win over your treatments and those nasty doomed c-cells. Sending love and good vibes! xo cindy

loriann

Morning all!

WishIwere-Yes, I made it out to get my DD but the roads were terrible. I mean, they could have been worse but it looked like they scraped but then didn't put down any salt so they had a layer of packed down snow that was almost like ice. They are fine today though!  So happy for you with only 2 to go!  I am having a total of 8, but have broken it down into 2 groups of 4! LOL...so after Friday's tx, I'm done with the first 4 so no more Red Devil!!  It really helps me to look at it like that!  Then I move on to 4 Taxol and by doing it every 2 weeks, I will be getting 3 of them done in February (thanks to leap year there are 5 Fridays in Feb.) which makes it seem even shorter!   Last week I was feeling so blah that I know what you mean when it feels like you just want to be done!!  I've moved past it (for now) and "looking forward" to getting # 4 over with on Friday!  Let's just continue to hang in there everyone...It sucks, it's not convenient, it's a PITA, but in the grand scheme of things it's a short amount of time to insure ourselves MANY, MANY more years to be here!!

Sal, It's OK to have a "pity me" day!  Perfectly understandable and it WILL pass!!  Just hang in there...better days are coming!!

Amy, Glad you have figured out what works for you!  I'm with Sal...Just when I think I have something figured out...it's different the next time!  So, what I have figured out is to just go with the flow and deal with whatever is happening at the time!  I actually feel pretty luck that my SE's have not been to bad...I mean when you first hear you have cancer and need chemo, all the movies you've ever seen where someone has cancer flash thru your mind and you just know it will be awful!  It really hasn't been that bad (as you can see, I'm on the upswing because I never would have said that last week-LOL)!

Has anyone hit a fruit craze?  After feeling so tired all last week, on Friday I wanted fruit!  My mom went out (God love her) and bought me a 1/4 slab of watermelon, a fresh pineapple, 2 pears and some bing cherries.  The only thing that was left Saturday morning was a few cherries.  Then on Saturday, I got a honeydew melon, more fresh pineapple (my favorite) and a big bag of pears from Sam's!  The melon and pineapple were gone by Sunday evening and I had the last pear yesterday!!!  What could that possibly mean? (Other than I'm a pig! LOL)

I see my oncologist on Friday before tx to go over all the Taxol stuff and I have a few questions for her too.  This will also be the first time I've seen her since my ultrasound so I can tell her that the tumors (well, THE tumor and THE lymph node) are shrinking and she may even check them again! 

Anyway...Hope you are all well and keep hanging in there!  Lori

bapnkat

Hi all.  Sal and Amy, I am feeling better.  Finally.  The Nausea is finally gone.  Of course, I'm having strange thoughts about next week.  It's like I want to go and I don't want to go.  I know next time it will be three done and that sounds good.

Lori, I have been craving fruit, too.  I've been eating pineapple,coconut, banana smoothies and oranges and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.  I've also been craving blueberry muffins for some reason. 

I had to go to the docs today to get my blood tested. Tomorrow I should find out if I need a transfusion.  They couldn't get the vein in my arm so they used my hand and that didn't work either so they had to prick my finger and squeeze enough out to fill up three very small tubes.  I have really bad veins. 

Kate

wishiwere

 Kate!  They got 3 tubes filled with a finger poke! Wow!  I went to our local clinic yesterday and the lady there only does arm veins, no hands, so I refused.  Good thing they said no problem at the oncs today, b/c I forgot to go back to get it done with the other lady today!  They said they'd just use last weeks.  So? WHy do I have to go every week for a blood draw then!? 

Sal and everyone else, hope all is well tonight and wishing you all pleasant dreams!  (least not like my latest where I thought I'd grown a salt & pepper beard with a new curly head of hair!!!!)  Weird dreams!

Lori!  I'm so glad you are on the last 'Red Devil' this week!  My #3 is is tomorrow!  I thought all week it was #4   Bummed when I realized it was #3 only!  Did your's get progressively worse each time with the SE's?  I'm praying this time is like the first time!  Hung over I can deal with, not the likes of the last time though! UGH!

Laurita60091

Oh, I have been busy and have missed so much.

{{{Sal}}}, hang in there.  I think one of the most difficult things about this game is the unpredictability/uncontrollability of it.  It seems there is nothing we can control and all we do is react to the poisons and the changes they cause.  I know you will pull through ok.  I hope you can find a way to feel less pressured to work so that you can rest when your counts are low.  You are kicking cancer's a$$, and we are right there with you!!!  

My counts have consistently been low right up until the last couple of days of the cycle.  My tx is always Monday and so bloodwork is Friday.  Well, I go on Friday and then always have to come back and have it done again Monday morning before tx because the counts are not up enough on Friday.  It makes me feel like a pincusion, and I obsess about my veins, praying I will not have any problems.  I tend to feel most fatigued towards the end of the (3-wk) cycle as opposed to the 7-10 days they tell me.

I had acupuncture done (good arm) for a wrist problem I have been getting physiotherapy for, and some strange things happened (new pain that still has not gone away almost 3 weeks later) which really scared me, because I don't want to mess up my good arm.  Anyway, so far so good, and I will not be having any more acupuncture.  Don't know what I was thinking there...MORE needles????   Must have been bad judgement due to chemo brain or something....So far my counts have managed to come up sufficiently by the day of tx and my veins are holding out.  And I felt good having reached the halfway point this tx.  I am going to be very glad to see the end of this.

Saw the surgeon today re the new lump, he thinks it feels cyst-ish but of course we will wait until the ultrasound/mammo on 29^th to confirm.  I am not worried about it.  There is no point in that.  Interesting....he asked me how the treatment was working.  I found that an odd question - how the heck am I supposed to know that?  Anyway, I joked with him about it and told him I just hope it is killing whatever may be there still.

Kate and Lori, I have not craved fruit but had a wicked salad craving last week.  It seemed I could not eat enough spinach, lettuce, etc.  Felt like a rabbit, lol.  Kate, I am glad you finally started to feel better.  You are one brave soul, having to deal with the difficult veins.  I wish you the best with that!

Tx this Monday - I, too, hate the red devil.  Actually I think I hate cytoxan even more.  I have a feeling that is what makes me feel worst.  This time they put it in more slowly and I felt better than the previous two tx, so that was a bonus.  Still on my lousy couple of days with nausea today and tomorrow but this is becoming a routine now.

Cindy, I hadn't thought much about the balditude in the sun.  Usually in January we don't spend time at the beach.  Cubans tend to think we northerners are nuts for going near the water unless it's in the 80's F outside.  It is a  bit cooler than that right now.  I guess I will just wear scarves.  I suppose I'm more focused on just hanging out with hubby than anything else, lol.

Wishiwere, you haven't mentioned your scalp lately, which I hope means that it is healing up. Good luck tomorrow!

Amy, glad you are hanging in there and able to rest when you need it. 

A shout out to KMK, Suz, Susana and all the ladies who haven't posted in a while -  who are hopefully keeping well.  I hope your balditude becomes more acceptable to you, KMK.  Frankly right now I have a hard time remembering having hair.  I have no idea why...

Warm hugs to all...

Laura

loriann

Hi all!  Just back from #4!  I've reached the half way point!!  No more AC!!!  Moving on to Taxol now!  It feels great to know I'm half way there.  Saw oncologist today as well and more good news!  She did a manual exam and can't even feel the tumor or lymph node AT ALL!!  She was a bit surprised and very excited about it!  She did say that that does not mean it's not going to show up on ultrasound or MRI but that it still a very good thing!!  So now I see the surgeon again on the 29th for another ultrasound and am excited to see what it shows!  Again, just another great reminder that what we are doing does serve a purpose!  Everyone sing with me..."Get along little cancer cells...get along"!  I am a bit tired but excited about the good news so I just had to share.  I'll fill you all in on the Taxol news later...I'm gonna eat more fruit and take a nappy!!  Everyone hang in there...better days are coming!!  Lori

bibliowarrior

Thanks everyone for your support. It's getting so that I hate the days leading up to my wbc count low more than my chemo days. As I knew I would be, I'm back on the up-swing. Bounced back even faster than the last time, so that was wicked cool! Weeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Lori-- I've had fruit cravings too.. I think mostly because I eat so much dry food during the days after chemo... I get sick of dry food and crave the juiciness of some fresh fruit. Plus I know that when my wbc count bottoms out, I can't have fresh fruit or salads, so I want to get it in while I can.

Also, CONGRATS ON #4 LORI!!! No more AC... that's gonna be me next week, so I'm lovin' to read you've reached that milestone. And can't feel the lump-- HOW COOL IS THAT?!!!!!

Laura-- scary about the accupuncture. I'd wanted to try it since I heard it really helped with pain or nausea, but couldn't quite work up the nerve. Don't feel like I've needed it yet anyway. Like Lori said... you see movies and expect chemo to be this horrific ordeal that totally wipes you out 24/7 for months on end. Granted, it has sucked bad at times, but it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. More of a constant inconvenience and annoyance. *knocks on wood* But I attribute you ladies and this awesome forum with helping me stay positive

Cindy-- got the book "Cancer vixen" and just started reading it. Kinda weird how much you can relate to it, eh? When I think that a few months ago I wouldn't understand what some of these things were.

** Question: Anyone have a problem with calluses? My latest SE. First I had some on my feet... as if I'd spent the day walking at the mall. Now I'm getting them on my fingers, as if I'd been writing a term paper all day. I didn't find any info on this SE. Ideas?

Funny story only cancer ladies would appreciate--  went to the grocery store this morning. Had on a hat, since it was yucky weather. Came out of the store, and a huge gust of wind came up and blew my hat off. There I was, in the rain, hands full with purse and groceries, chasing my hat through the parking lot while it continued to keep rolling and rolling away from me, cars stopped to wait for me to move out of the way. All I could think was "Man, if my wig blows off right now, I swear I just give up."

Wig didn't blow off. I got my hat. And I was picking up a to-die-for chocolate cake for-no-particular-reason, so it was worth the extra effort.

Dinner dinged. Goota go. Hugs.

-Sal 

beasgirl

Lori!! Congratulations! How great to be done with the really nasty stuff, and hitting the halfway mark! I too am halfway-- did number 6 out of twelve today! Hooray! You can have my other half a cupcake!

I'm feeling much peppier today cause of the steroids. Totally helps my batting average, too. har har har.

My dad, who's been going with me to treatment every week (what a weird but somehow wonderful way of bonding with my dad!), said not to think of it as only half-way, because the surgery is also behind me, and that was pretty stressful and painful--so if I think of it in terms of TREATMENT, I'm much closer to 3/4, and a much easier quarter than the previous ones, with any luck. 

Laura, I hope your wrist gets better--just what you need on top of everything else! And I hope your count gets up there and your Monday treatment goes ok with not too much crud. 

Sal, I hope you're feeling better, mind and body--we got a little glimpse of the sun this afternoon, and I felt so much better! Hope it's headed your way.

love to all, just a quick check-in.  

A 

Laurita60091

Lori - FABULOUS news of your tumour shrinkage!   And hip hip hooray for having finished the AC!  It's so gratifying to hear a success story, and to realize that one by one we are reaching the magic ½ way mark!

Sal I am so glad to see you bouncing back.  It can be hard to keep going when you know you will have SE's and low counts to deal with - we just need to keep our eye on the prize down the road.  Re. calluses - I have not had calluses on the hands in particular but find that my skin on hands and feet is extra dry with chemo.  It is bad here because we have very dry air in the winter but now it is extra-bad.  I wonder if it isn't because there is not as much new skin growing to help slough off the dead skin.  I actually use a foam sanding block or a really rough sanding board for acrylic nails on my feet/calluses as I find it to be the cheapest, quickest way to smooth out the calluses and rough spots.  I did this yesterday and had little piles of skin dust I had sanded off.  Gross...but a relief afterwards.

Amy, glad to see you are well too.  One of my closest friends has been in town this past month and was able to go to the last 2 tx with me.  It was very helpful to keep my mind off what they were putting into my veins, plus have totally uninterrupted time to visit with her, since she has lived out of the country a lot over the last few years.  I am glad you are having this time with your dad.  Sometimes with cancer there are some positive things that come out of it and it is nice to know the experience is not ALL negative.

Thankfully my wrist/arm is finally improving, after over 3 weeks.  I came out of the chemo fog last night and the one good thing is that my SE's have become very predictable and routine.  I am now busy getting ready to leave and very excited to be spending some time with my dh.  I took a razor to the balditude yesterday to take of what was left of the hangers on, so I no longer have the "speckledy egg" look.  I still can't get over how cold it is with no hair.

This will be my last message before leaving early Monday.  I will be thinking of all of you, and wishing all the best.  I will soak up some warmth and (not too much) sun and maybe drink a couple of thimble-sized shots of delicious Cuban rum with thoughts of toasting you all.  Keep up the good fight.

Big hugs

Laura