Faslodex Girls

susan_02143

Summer Shack... I need some RI Calamari. And an adult beverage. Not a brilliant restaurant, but they still do a few things well.

*susan*

Tree3

I like Legal much better. But... At least summer Shack has parking. Have fun. By the way I moved yesterday. After 15 years in beautiful Cambridge, overlooking the Charles River, I've sold my condo and will be living closer to my son in NH. Right now I'm living with my family as my new house isn't ready yet. So I too am in it for the long term.

teresa

susan_02143

For most things, Legal is a bit better, but their RI Calamari is just awful lately. I need some hot peppers!

*susan*

p.s. I have lived in NH before and that is where my Mom is now situated. You give up a few things, and gain some others. Every location has trade-offs. Hope your house is ready for you soon.

Tina2

Good, Susan!

My appointment was essentially uneventful: blood draws, a mention of my "run-down" battery with onc that led to a brief exam and a noncommital response, and the injection. I fantasize about seeing my onc some day and, when he asks how I am, beaming and gushing "Fantastic! Wonderful! Never better!" in an attempt to repair what I fear may be a Wendy Whiner reputation because I always mention at least one issue or concern.

On the way home I craved salt, doubtless because I'd washed out all mine with rigorous hydration, so we stopped at a store. I just pigged out on tortilla chips, hummus and chocolate chip cookies while reading a magazine in bed.(All I needed was a stack of comic and fairy-tale books to feel eight-years old.)

It's 77 degrees. Why am I freezing? I just pulled on a fleece pullover!

Tina

pajim

Congratulations Susan!  I hope you enjoyed your calamari.

Good for you Tina.  Maybe I should celebrate each time too.  I just headed off to work.  Oh, and I'm easily cold too, despite the fact that I carry extra padding.  Too bad the hot flashes won't come on demand. 

MaryLW

I was just checking my latest labs, and noticed that my WBC has steadily gone down since I started using Faslodex. I don't see that as a side effect in the literature. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone know of anything that helps raise the WBC?

pajim

Mary, I checked mine.  Remember it's only been six months, but mine dipped from 5 to 4 in the first couple of months but have steadily risen since then.  Back to 5.5 (or so). 

Pam

MaryLW

Hi Pam, my WBC is down to 3.0. When I did chemo the first time (17 years ago!) my MO had me take neupogen shots when I got down to 3.0, so I'm kind of concerned. The doctor's office hasn't called me or anything, but I wonder if I should call them.

chickydee

Hi Mary, My WBC levels have varied from 4.1 to 3.1 over the past year. Right now it's at 3.2. My onc always says my blood work looks good (?!). Curious to see if others have had the same experience and what their doctors have done/suggested.

susan_02143

Since starting the Faslodex in May 2010, my WBC has tended towards high, but recently has settled in the 9.5-11 range.

MaryLW

The blood work is kind of mystery to me. I have several values outside of the normal range, but the Doctor never mentions them. I won't see him again until the middle of November, but I'll ask him about it then.

Tina2

I pick up the previous month's blood work reports as I'm leaving my monthly appointment. I don't really track anything except the tests that are consistently high or low, and then they are usually only a few points out of the standard range, which is insignificant. The only thing that's been higher than several points out of range is LDH, which was raised by dozens of points for quite some time. When I questioned my onc about it, he said it would have to be twice the highest number in the range for him to be concerned.

MaryLW, out of curiosity  I just checked my WBC. It's bounced around between 7.0 and 5.7 for the two years I've been in treatment with Faslodex. No consistently steady decline or increase, just up and down within that range.

Tina

MaryLW

I'm a little extra worried about the low WBC because we're going to be on an airplane Saturday. I think I'll call the onc nurse tomorrow and ask her if I should take any special precautions.

MaryLW

I called the onc nurse today to ask about the low WBC. She said it isn't that bad (3.0), and that I don't need to do anything extra to avoid infection on my trip. She said to just wash my hands a lot and keep them away from my mouth. Sounds like what I tell the grand kids. 😊

Tina2

Good advice for all, MaryLW. Glad you're cleared for take-off!

Tina

pajim

Have a great trip!  Take a bottle of Purell with you?

MaryLW

Pajim, good idea! I'll also take extra vitamin C. I'm really looking forward to this trip. We're going with my sister and bil. We've been trying to talk them into a trip with us forever, but the bil is a really stay at home guy! (I think my metastasis is what did the trick. 😏)

MaryLW

Oh, boy...bad news I think. The onc nurse called to say my tumor markers are up and I have to get a PET scan. I was starting to feel pretty positive, but now I'm a wreck.

pajim

Oh dear.  Don't cancel your trip though!  You ARE still going!  Please have a good time.  Compartmentalize!!!

Remember that tumor markers don't tell the entire story.  I apologize for saying that if for you they track.

Tina2

Ditto Pajim: compartmentalize and go!

Tina

MaryLW

Yes, I'm still going on the trip. The oncologist knows about it and said the scan can wait if necessary. My tumor markers never came up before even when I had a recurrence and then a metastasis. I don't know what's going on now.

susan_02143

Mary,

My tumor markers do track, but, they are also affected by seasonal allergies and infections. I only get concerned with three months of rise. I try to be practical in the face of all of this.   :-)

Enjoy your trip. Think seasonal allergies!

*susan*

MaryLW

Thanks, Susan. I have noticed itchy eyes and a runny nose. Maybe it IS allergies. I'll hope so.

AnacortesGirl

I agree with the others - the scan can wait and having the TMs rise once may not turn out to be anything significant. The trip sounds like great medicine!

MaryLW

Thanks, Christy. I'm going to try to not worry about it, although I'm not doing so well right now. 😏

Crone

Anyone postpone Faslodex injections?



I will have my second injection(s) of Faslodex today and am scheduled to get the third of the loading dose in two weeks but I am planning to be in Idaho visiting grandkids (i could have the shots 4 days late) and then again in November I would have a conflict and have to postpone the injections a week. Should not have any arguments from insurance because I would be delaying rather than asking to get them early. Anyone else do this with Onc's ok?



Of course, I don't want to interrupt treatment but I think being with family is better med than any Injection.

Tree3

Crone, I postponed it for a week last summer. I was at my summer home, the weather was gorgeous, I was having a wonderful time. And they said, no problem.

Teresa

MaryLW

I postponed my injections for 2 days, and the onc said that was fine.

Crone

Thanks, I now feel confident arguing my case with the person who does the scheduling.

sandilee

Well, my onc actually insisted that I postpone my shots during the week of my son's wedding. I was scheduled to come in that week, and he said, "NO WAY!"  He felt I'd have enough on my plate, and boy, was he right!   Came in the next week, no problems.