Starting Chemo May 2008

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited February 2009

    Karin - Got it!  And we should have thought about the provider thing for cell phones.  Maybe we can add that info as an update??

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited February 2009

    You've Got Mail! May list has been sent out. Check the email address that you sent me that is where I sent it.

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  • ranD
    ranD Member Posts: 373
    edited February 2009

    Okay, just freaked myelf out.  Decided to see how long I could go between vicodins and coughing spells, lasted 5 hours and then poof it was back...lol...gobbled downa pill and 20 min later all better.  Then I read the label and it says 4/day. Crap! Thank goodness I had an older bottle and that one said 1-2 every 4-6 hours not to exceed 8/day. So then I try counting and get all confused, dh laughs says I am taking one every 3 1/2 hours and then stop for about 6 hours when I am sleeping.  He also reminds me that House is constantly popping them...seriously hon, a TV show for my medical concerns???WTF?

    Anyway, waited all day for my nurse to call me back to make sure my premeds were ready...now I have to call her first thing in the morning or I am not going in!

    time to catch up on my DVR...ran

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited February 2009

    Cris, I know your package is in the states, but the tracking system for canada post will not tell me any more than that. This is a new speed for business shipping that only just came out. The boxes I sent out in early January to everyone were hilarious timed. I could drive to Linda's house in about 3 hours, but Kerry's package arrived in Taz before Linda's did. Go Figure!

    Ran I am praying it all goes well tomorrow! 

    Karin, I got my email I'll check the deets later. We just got in from swimming class(not me, my kid) and it is 9:45 pm and I have more work to do..not to mention I now have 2 couches and 4 chairs in my 12 x 20 living room which is making me mental! Time to find a charity to come and pick them up. I tried the mission with our church but their poor families need no furniture!?

    bugs and fishes to all.. ( gotta keep Deb's (and I think EyesoTex used to say it too) traditions alive)   N

     P.S. The curly tip for the day? Wash less often than you used to. When you shower, scrub your scalp with hot water (yes, even if you workout 40 times a week) and use a little conditioner, then get the knots out with your fingers.. if your hair is curly you no longer own a comb, a brush or a pick. No tools!! Hear me? Try not to wash for 2 or 3 days straight and we will go from there. The one with the least bubbles wins.  

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited February 2009

    Cris,

    I got mail!

    My zip code is 75771 - I think I sent it wrong to Karin so please correct- I sent the correction to her too!

    Im headed to Arkansas tomorrow to see my daughters concert at Henderson State University- taking my youngest with me and letting him splurge with the hotel stay and an indoor pool- will be back on Friday afternoon!

    Kristy

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  • Gracie713
    Gracie713 Member Posts: 302
    edited February 2009

    Okay-I have a very "strange" question.

    What do you use to paint one's head and where do you get it???  My "crazy" idea is to have my head painted like a basketball for when we go to the big game next week.  DD & SIL think it's a great idea and I am willing, just don't know what to use. 

    Karin-got the email.  And if anyone is interested, it's my cell# and I'm on ATT.  Didn't think to put that on my info.  

    Kristy-got your zip code corrected on my list!

    Go for port flush tomorrow after rads, then oxygen co. will be here tomorrow afternoon to set up DH's CPAP machine.  

    RanD-Thinking of you now and will be thinking of you tomorrow.  

    Sleep tight all!

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited February 2009

    Noelle - What knots? Hair is not long enough to get into knots yet, lol

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  • Jeano77
    Jeano77 Member Posts: 237
    edited February 2009

    RanD - So great to hear that you had an awesome doc, you were due my dear!  Rest easy - sending prayers your way! 

    Noelle - silly question . . . is the curly tip for those trying to keep the curls and manage them?  I have had stick straight hair all my life and I am loving the crazy little curls I have.  I do not want to straighten my hair, having more fun this way. 

    Good night awesome May 08 women!  Prayers and well wishes to all!

    Jean

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited February 2009

    Jean, yes I generally only "support" people who choose (or have no clue what to do, but would like to be natural) to be naturally curly. In my land of Curly haired people a hair dryer is called a Blowfryer( there are options for hair dryers and good attachments, but not many) and my curly mentor has it written in her will that no one is to brush or comb her hair EVER! This system is rock solid and I will help you as best as I can. The no washing thing is the start to getting you all to be Sulphate Free. More later.

     Jackie, face and body paint/ costume paint  is what you want. Places like Party Packagers and Costume shops will have it.Some are liquid, some are grease paint in pots or sticks. You'll need some makeup sponges to put it on a large area( like your head) in a smooth and even way. Get the basketball colour in larger quantity and get the black in a stick or use a paint brush. Practice a few times on your arm or face to get used to the texture of the paint. It's easy, but plan on an hour to put it on. Your homemade soap and some oil will be fine to remove it. 

     Any other questions? 

    ;) 

     N

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited February 2009

    Noelle - Thanks for the package update!!  :)  And who understands the mail system anyway???

    Kristy - Yay!  I was worried when I saw I had the wrong zip.  I fixed it on my list.  Enjoy your trip!  (Hey...zip...trip - sorry, I have a kindergartener learning rhymes!)

    Gracie - That's a great idea!  I bet you could use whatever "paint" they use for face painting, probably get it any craft store.  Don't forget to take a picture!

    RanD - Gotta love the TV MD theory!  Hoping all goes well tomorrow - mailed ya somethin'!

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  • LorenaB
    LorenaB Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2009

    Noelle, I don't own a blowdryer -- never have.  Do I win some sort of prize? No hairbrush, either.  When my hair was long I used a wide tooth comb when hair was wet but NEVER dry. I've been using a curl creme and gel that I got in the drugstore -- they work ok but I notice that if I ruffle my curls, all this weird dust comes out. I think I need your products!

    HUGS to all you May ladies - and a bigger one to RanD for making it through all the tough treatments with (what sounds like) positive energy. Glad the painkillers are helping with the cough! Those pills give me weird dreams -- once I was on percoset after surgery and dreamed about tiny hummingbirds in kilts flying in and out of elevators. WTF?

    Lauren

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  • angelsaboveus
    angelsaboveus Member Posts: 298
    edited February 2009

    Karin....was wondering why I didn't recieve the email so went back to check what address i had given you.....chemo brain stepped in while i was typing and it is misspelled so will PM you with properlly spelled email. thanks for doing this.

    Hope everyone has a great day!

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  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited February 2009

    Noelle~ what about the wild hair that stands straight up unless you wash it daily? Mine goes WILD. I've give it a go and see what happens.......

    RanD hope you are doing better today!

    If you DO NOT want text messages let me know. Sometimes I don't have enough to say for a full fledged phone call and just want to say hey, I'm thinking of you.

    Today's treatment went well. I think they got in new blankets. Mine was extra thick and super duper warm. I was ready for a nap before I even got my benedryl. It was awesome. And about frose when it came time to leave and hubs pulled it off me. brrrr.

    Got my new bed put together. Now I'm washing all my blankies and sheets. I got new curtains (real ones this time not homemade) and the room is all painted (light denim blue with pure white trim) I think this is the first time ever I've actually had a nice looking bedroom. I decorate the main rooms of the house and leave that one for last. But since we finally got a new bed hubs suggested we make it nice woohooo!

    Love to my ladies!

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited February 2009

    Jen - My understanding of what Noelle said is that you do wash in-between, just not with shampoo, hot water only followed by conditioner.

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited February 2009

    yes,Karin gets it.. you still "wash" just not with shampoo. In the land of DevaCurl we call it "cleansing"

    Ok Lauren and anyone else in curly confusion, go to http://store.devachansalon.com/StoreFront.bok?cart_id=74062

    poke around there, watch the video etc.

    For the moment having me ship Deva back to the US makes no sense... since it comes from there in the first place.You should find the prices on the US site more agreeable. Your 3 main products are called DevaCurl "No Poo" "One Condition" and "AnGell" don't bother getting anything else right now, you will just be confused. Don't bother with the travel set it will only give you about 3-5 days of use. Save up (about $18 USD per 12oz bottle) and get the larger sizes. 

    Once you own the products email me and we will set up a phone appt and I will run you through the way to use them best. There are salons listed on the site that are trained by Deva too. They really are the best and only way to deal with your curly hair in a natural way. Add me on FaceBook and I will show you some AMAZING curly pics. If anyone wants to try our curly philosophy but cannot afford the products let me know and I will walk you through some less expensive ways. There is a book on the site that is worth every penny.. "Curly Girl" 

    I am thinking about starting a chemo curly website. What do u guys think? 

    I hope RanD is fairing ok... 

    Jen.. I love texts, just don't always reply. U can imagine me smiling when u send one k? 

     love to all... Jen... enjoy the bath!

    ;) 

     N

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  • Jeano77
    Jeano77 Member Posts: 237
    edited February 2009

    Noelle -  Thanks for the info!  I also watched the u tube sulphate free video on FB last evening, so I am tracking with your plan!

    Gracie - chuckled at painting your head like a basketball!  That is awesome, cannot wait to see the photos.  How many rads tx are left? 

    Ran for a full 30 minutes this evening.  I have not been able to do that since end of November!!!  The drugs apear to be working some magic. 

    Jean

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  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited February 2009

    Noelle~ not a problem on the texts. With you being so busy I can picture you up to your elbows in "stuff" and just yelling at the phone "Hi!". So it works for me LOL.

    Got a call from my herceptin sister eddie tonight! Fabulous! Its so neat to put actual voices with the faces and names. :O)

    Got my box today from noelle with my order in it. Hubs thinks I'm nuts sniffing all the papers and the box. Even the receipt smelled good! yup sniffed it too.

    Jean~ congrats on the run! I envy people who like and can run. I'm glad you are feeling better!

    RanD~ tried to give you a call today and you weren't home. Hope you are doing better as well hun.

    Gracie~ you MUST get pics of the head painting! How fabulous!~

    Kristy~ How'd your dd's concert go?

    Lorena~ hugs back at ya! :O)

    Cris~ looking forward to my snail mail from you!

    sweet dreams to all XXOO

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  • familyroks
    familyroks Member Posts: 575
    edited February 2009

    Wondering how I missed that Gracie wants to paint her head.  You know we want pics, right?

    Jen - I carefully poured all of the lavender from my box into a shot glass.  It sits right here under my monitor.  I can just reach over, pick it up and sniff.  mmmmmmmm  When I put my box and paper in my recycle bin...my first thought was "I have the best smelling recylcle bin in the county!"

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited February 2009

    Jen - You crack me up.  But no texting for me - it's not in our calling plan and I think to send or receive one is about 50 cents.  Talk to me in a couple of years when I have an almost 12 y.o.  It might be different.

    Ooo, you all reminded me to check the front porch for my box...(running to front door - "Wait a minute...")  Nope.  Damn.  Man, is there gonna be a celebration when I get it!  I can't wait to smell the paper!!

    Noelle - Okay, I'm game.  One day this weekend, I will try the "no shampoo" cleansing and see what happens.  I'll let you know.

    Jean - Good for you.  My Curves place closed last month due to the "economy" so now I have no workout routine.  Not that I was actually going, but still...

    RanD - Hope today was okay and here's a familiar shout-out to you:  Chemooooooooo!!!!

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  • ewesterman
    ewesterman Member Posts: 417
    edited February 2009

    LOVED talking to Jen

    RanD-- CD coming.

    Love you all

    My hair is curly fun. It has always been curly but never baby fine and curly (except maybe when I was a baby, duh). It's not feeling or looking like "my" hair but I'm enjoying it none the less. Love you all. Love the basketball plan. Talk to you soon. Noelle's rich lotion is, bar none, the best in the universe. Ciao.

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  • kerry_lamb
    kerry_lamb Member Posts: 778
    edited February 2009
    Hey y'all! A quick check in from she-on-a-break-from-cancer.  Let me tell you about our amazing health care here in Launceston (pop. 80,000). I'm sitting having coffee with a friend about 6pm today and I hear, "Kerry!! How lovely to see you!! How have you been???" I get the most amazing loving, smiley embrace from.....the breast surgeon who saved my life. We could have been best girly mates from uni. My next appointment with her is in two weeks, and she mentioned this, even though she is on holidays. When I got in the ute to go home, I was feeling a bit teary about how cool my life is when I get a text to tell me that, "..oh, by the way, your mammogram and US were fine."   Now really! Is she my angel, or what?? Do you know how badly I want Randy to have her as her specialist, for feck's sake!!??  This morning I met with my normal doc because he has to do a referral for...wait for it.....UP TO $4,800 worth of dental work in preparation for my free course of Zometa.  This most unexpected good news is because: a) I am 50. b) I am post menopausal and on an AI and c) I have cancer. WTF??? What we have to do to get some attention these days!!LaughingI had a big day yesterday slashing myself with rose water-shoots gone feral in an attempt to remove them from my garden. It was a hot day and I overdid it again. This is pretty frustrating grrrrr! I was D.A.T all morning today as a result, but made myself go for my walk/run tonight..well Fibber did, really! and I feel so much better. Last night I could hardly walk on my Femara Feet, but killing myself with exercise/physical challenges works magic on the arthralgia. Sad but true..sigh...Don't know what I'm going to do come winter...rug up I guess. Or maybe these @#!&%# row-of-woks-in-a-Chinese-boarding-school-kitchen hot flashes will keep me warm enough! Noelle! No flies on me! (as we say in Australia....) I've been 'washing' my hair in water for a few weeks (shampoo once a week) because it's the ONLY way to keep it half sensibleSurprisedAND the shea butter is bf amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Re Chemo-Curly website: Oh you HAVE to do it!! This is The Thing I've been sensing!! Name one single better person to do it!!!??? It's YOU!! Why haven't we thought of this before?????  Love y'all. I'm disappearing again for a while. XXX ps RanD! You're my Best Girl XXX
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  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited February 2009

    Kerry, it was great to see your post and boo hoo for the dental prep but good things will come from that I'm sure. I wonder if those crocs we talked about in previous post would help your feet? I don't own a pair so I can't be sure but I'ld give it a try.

    Gracie, yes pictures for sure, Heck, you may even get on TV! Sounds like a blast. We've done face painting before and it's real easy to apply. 

    Noelle, I would defiantely do a website if I were you. Your tips are amazing. Still, just a few curls on me but mostly straight. My problem is the cowlicks. Its hysterical. I have to plaster them done every morning.

    Talked to my onc after herceptin about my upcoming biopsy and he was really calming. Like you girls, I just needed to talk to someone.  Gotta, crazy busy at work.

    P.S. Love the card Christine! And thanks Karin for the email list. I promise not to send out junk mail.

    Love to all, Mary 

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  • JulieC
    JulieC Member Posts: 324
    edited February 2009

    Happy Friday, ladies!

    It is supposed to get warmer here over the weekend.  I can't wait.  Gracie when is/was your basketball game?  Yes, pictures are in order.

    RanD - still thinking about you.  How are you doing?  Let us know whenever you feel like it.

    Noelle - you should do the website.  I'll mark it as a "favorite" - just like everyone here.  I plan to use shampoo today and then give your method a try over the weekend.  You always have the best tips.

    Kerry - it was nice to hear from you again and loved your description of the hot flashes.  You certainly have a way with words!

    Jean - inspired by your running.  My problem is that I don't like to get sweaty.  I have large breasts and don't like the bouncy business especially since radiation.  I did find a DVD from Binney's LE thread and I've done it a few times.  I'm thinking about getting moving which is the most I've done so far.

    I got my blood work results back yesterday.  Officially in menopause - no more periods! Woo Hoo.  Chemo sucked, but if it stopped the periods then that was a bonus, along with the curls.  Every day I'm finding I got more for my money than I realizes.  I also have a Vitamin D deficiency and she prescribed 50,000 iu 2x a week for 8 weeks to jump start my system.  Does anyone have any experience with that?

    Roxi - glad you got to chat with your onc.  When is your biopsy?  You can always call one of us to talk if you need to. 

    Jen - enjoy the new bedroom.  It sounds so nice and cozy.  It seems we always put ourselves last.  We have the bedroom furniture that my parent used when they first got married.  It looks retro now with the angles on the handles and the laminate wood.  But it still holds what we need it to and no one is in there but us, so maybe someday ...

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Julie

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited February 2009

    Hi, everybody.  I don't have anything special to post, but I wanted to say that I'm sitting here with my morning coffee, reading and laughing and shaking my head at how lucky I am to know y'all.

    I'll get back later, maybe after something useful happens.  Oh, that's right--my dh wants me to finally get on those curtains I'm supposed to be making for the tiny window in the shower of our boat.  I have the fabric; I have the thread; I have the bobbin all wound on my sewing machine; ... I just seem to lack the motivation.

    It's such a nice, sunny day today, after 3 days of beastly cold weather.  (Okay, cold by Southern U.S. standards means lows in the teens and highs in the 40's.)  I've been trying to get my body on the elliptical machine at least 2x per day (short routines), and today it might actually be warm enough to venture outside for a walk.

    Jen, I can't do texting 'cause my cell phone plan is too cheap.  And I never leave it turned on.  So, I didn't even give Karin my cell phone #.  The one on the list is my home phone.

    If anyone does call me, please mention your screen name too, so I don't stand there and scratch my curly head and act like an idiot, which is what I did when rock called last fall.  After she said her name like 3 times and I didn't get it, she said, "Oh, ... it's rock."  I felt like an absolute fool, and I wanted to hug her and tell her how sorry I was that I didn't recognize her right away and ... damn I'm crying right now, just thinking about it.  Rock, if you're reading this, I still feel bad about that.

    I love y'all.  Hugs all 'round, with special squishy ones to ranD.  Kerry, you can send some of those "@#!&%# row-of-woks-in-a-Chinese-boarding-school-kitchen hot flashes" up to this hemisphere, 'cause I could use them when the fire in the fireplace goes out.

    otter

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  • angelsaboveus
    angelsaboveus Member Posts: 298
    edited February 2009

    Happy Friday,

    It's snowing again....I am so done with this. Hopefully it won't last all day. 

    Have to meet up with an elderly care aide with my mom this morning, to see what the next step is with her. My mom is at a point where she is physically able to be at home but with her alzhiemers kicking it up a notch mentally it is very concerning and i worry about her safety all the time. She lives alone. So hopefully get some answers today as to how i can help her out.

    Everyone have a great weekend wether it's in the snow, or sunshine.Randi special hugs for you and wishing you a restfull weekend

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  • JulieC
    JulieC Member Posts: 324
    edited February 2009

    Hey Rock - what fun adventures do you have planned for the weekend?  How did we do with the cyber painting last weekend?  What color did you finally pick?  Do you need us to help you put things back?

    I hope it is warming up everywhere and everyone can get out and get some sunshine.

    Julie

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  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited February 2009

    Julie~ love the new av!

    Not a problem about the texting, I wanted to make sure first that I wouldn't cost anyone money if I sent one. You guys will just have to listen to my nasal voice over the phone lines LOL.

    Chris~ Got my card today!!!!! thank you sweetie! XXOO and it did bring warmer weather with it! Its in the mid 40's right now wooohoo!

    3 new angels in heaven this week. Even though I did not know any of them personally, it still hits hard. sigh*

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited February 2009

    I knew Dawn. Before I started hanging on the threads I use to live in the chat room on here. She was one of the first ones I chatted with. Three in less then two weeks. I've got to get out of this funk.

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited February 2009

    DH got his first biweekly paycheck since the cutbacks. Ouch!!! Over $1,000 a month less to work with.

    Noelle - I need to know the less expensive ways, can't afford the products.

    Jen - As much as I would love to get the texts they are not on my cell plan and would cost me extra so please leave me out.

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  • JulieC
    JulieC Member Posts: 324
    edited February 2009

    Thanks, Jen!  I'm glad we can see your face in your avatar.

    Noelle - what do sulfates in hair products do to us?  Thanks in advance for the science lesson.

    Julie

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