Starting chemo January 2009?

Renrel

I picked up the AntiCancer book at Cosco last weekend and it is suprisingly good.  Very well written and readable.  Uplifting and informative. It is written by a doctor who had brain cancer and then did research to figure out how to get himself on the good side of the outcome curve.  He gets how cancer changes your life first hand but also understands all the reseach as only a scientist can and his research indicates that genes are not the be all and end all, how we live our lives have a much greater effect,  Did you know that adopted kids have more similar health histories to there adoptive parents than their birth parents?  Anyway, thought I pass on the recommendation.

jrgolomb

Renrel,

 Thanks for the recommendation.  I will go to cosco and pick one up.  We have cosco one hour away from us, but I am so happy to go there.  I truly appreciate how they are set up and how they treat the employees.

Today marks one year ago I started chemo.  I feel a bit blue but very glad not to have to go for another chemo trip.

Hugs to you all.

ktym

We'll be thinking of you Jess

Renrel

I had a dental check up today.  Two cavities, not a big deal.  But my dentist noticed something on my tongue and if it does not shrink before I see her for the first filling she wants me to see an oral surgen. Now I am 99% sure I have felt the same irritation on my tongue in the same general area on and off for years and it is probably nothing but at the moment just the possiblity of something more serious has me feeling depressed.  I am reciting the reiki mediation to myself which starts off "Just for today I shall not anger.  Just for today I shall not worry.  and ends with I will be thankful to everything for everything.  I added at the end a bit about "this is my path and I am walking for my own good, whatever it may be.  But it is a hard sell at the moment. 

 On a bright side, I got DS signed up for 4 weeks of vacation week childcare offered for school age alumni at his preschool.  There are only 25 spaces and kids with siblings still in the school get preference and got to sign up yesterday.  Sign ups started at 10am.  I got there a little after 8am and was already 7th in line.  I expect to have at least another 5-7 years of scrabbleling for vacation week childcare.  This year is just initiation by fire as one of the mom's of a first grader was telling us.  And I got to listen to the horrors of college applications from the preschool director.  What I have to look forward to.  

Renrel

I am feeling better today.  I am really surprised at how hard I took what the dentist said yesterday.  Felt sort what I would expect a suspious mammigram would feel like if I got one.  I thought by having a bilat I could avoid that feeling.  It is most likely nothing and I am going to try not to dwell on it.

ktym

Renrel, sorry to hear about what the dentist said, hope all ends up well. 

jrgolomb

Yup, every ache and pain!

Renrel

The sore was gone the next day, as I expected it would be.  My dentist tends to be a bit overprotective, but she has told me stories of lumps  on other patients and saving their lives by nagging them to get them checked out. 

I am finding it hard to eat lately.  The stupid dentist scare made me lose my appettite and now everytime I go to eat I find myself thinking about all the "bad" stuff in the food and don't want to eat it, but I am too tired to fix myself some vegis or other natural food.  I spent hours in the supermarket today trying to decide if it was worth it to buy each organic option.  I mean organic milk cost twice what regular milk costs and if it is going to make any difference I have to be willing to pay that price each time, not just when I am feeling vunerable.  And since DH found out on Friday that his pay is being cut by 20% those penny's count.  Of course I did not hessitate to buy a dark chocolet Reese Peanut Butter Cup package to share with DS at the check out.  But, you know, I don't think I ever regret getting a Reeses cup, even if it is junk food it always tastes good and satisfiying.  

jrgolomb

Yum, reeses!

BerkeleyKim

Hi Jewels--January a whole year later. Wow. Happy BD to me. Last year I was literally tearing my hair out on my bd, 2 wks after starting that awful AC. Now I look like a poodle that needs a trim. I am so happy to see bd #54.

 Unfortunately am hobbling around after somehow twisting my knee while gardening yesterday--just moved wrong and felt a snap and and then burning pain. I've been having knee discomfort for a few months now, and the onc told me that the Arimidex will make any damage more noticeable (fell hard 30 yrs ago). I'm taking lots of advil. I've got to pursue some sort of treatment./therapy, and of course hope it's not mets.  I did make it through 2 days downhill skiing winter break (thanks to that advil).

 I read this thread every day, and love to see the updates! Renrel--glad that lump went away on its own. yes!!! Reeses!! It's so hard for me to eat "right" all the time, and I've figured that a little (ok, sometimes a lot) of that wonderful chocolate has got to help if it makes me happy. Unfortunately I gained about 4 pounds of my hard-lost weight since early Dec., and can't seem to make a dent in loosing it again.

Good to hear of all the good drs. visits. It's nerve-wracking, isn't it? love to all..

Renrel

I have heard of several cancer related bit of bad news this week.  The woman in my book club who has had cancer several times died this week.  An on line friends mother who was in chemo for lung cancer is now in stage 4, the chemo did not work.  And at Dim Sum today, through comments on our short hair I learned a acquinance/friend who I use to see a few times a year at Dim Sum get togethers and a yearly volleyball get away, also had breast cancer, I think the year before us.  Though she is doing well, so it is belated bad news I guess. 

I am continuing to read the Anti-Cancer book and still like it, but it is making me feel differently about my food.  Where can you find kosher grass fed beef and free range kosher chickens?  Because according to this book the change in diet for these animals has thrown the omega 6/omega 3 balance way off kilter.  It was also very disturbing to read that some mice who were fed high sugar diets did not respond to chemo.  Wish I knew that when I was seeking comfort food during chemo.  It would truely suck to find out that after all that fun with chemo I had mucked it all up with the jelly beans I brought with me each time for cheer.  

jrgolomb

I find it very interesting about the mice, the sugar and little chemo response.  Tell us more, Renrel.  I hae actually been worse with the chocolate now than when I had chemo.  I do still enjoy ghiradelli (cp?) chocolate from California.  In fact, I can easily eat up the caramel filled chocolate.  Lip smackin, finger lickin good!

Berkeley Kim--SO good to hear from you.  I hope you are enjoying your ski trips and walks.  I so miss the hikes I used to take when I lived there.  I hope your knee feels better soon.

BerkeleyKim

Renrel-It's so hard to hear that people we know have died. My oldest dd's ex-boyfriend's mom just died of bc, after having been in remission for at least 10 yrs. Her son was able to finish finals and get to see her for a few days, but it happened just before christmas. I'm still dwelling on it and so sad for the family.

I need to get the Anti-Cancer book, and really get serious about changing my eating. I just LOVE sweets, and especially choc. The author spoke here at UCSF last Friday, but I had to work. Some women in my cancer support group (which I'm sad to say I haven't been to for a while) went, and I hope to hear from them this Thurs.

Jess--I'm using my walking sticks (so much easier to say than "canes") for hiking, which helps the knees! Ihave so many aches and pains on and off. I'm wondering if I stop the Arimidex for a bit if I'd feel better. I KNOW I didn't feel this way pre-bc.

jrgolomb

Hey everyone.  I have a day off tomorrow!  I hope you all have a nice weekend. 

Renrel

FWIW - DARK chocolet is a health food.  It is full of fiber and I believe iron and protien. It has wonderful antioxidents.  It is not even that heavy in sugar.  Just be careful not to eat too much because it is high in fat.  I try to indulge in a few small pieces each day and relish every  morsel.

jillyG

I can't remember whether I told you Jewels that my mom got the results of her biosy (sorry if I am repeating myself lol).  She has a benign fibroadenoma, it's nothing, they just leave it.  I am so happy, Finally some good news!  Hope you all have a great weekend, I am so happy tomorrow is Friday, was busy this week and need some downtime. 

Jill

ktym

Jilly G, that is great news

BerkeleyKim

Jilly--BIG sighs of relief for your mom. So glad for the good news!

And also good news that chocolate is a health food! Yup--that high fat content helped me pack on those pounds, darn.

Wish I had tomorrow off, Jess! We had last Monday, but I'm exhausted after just 3 days. Going to try to get to support group tonight.

holtbolt

Jilly... that is GREAT news about your mom

jrgolomb

What a sigh of relief, Jilly!  Great news.

Hugs to all.

ktym

Jess, how was your day off today?

Had a bit of a scare but my USN was all clear today so tonight we're celebrating!  Didn't get a bunch of stuff done at work I wanted to get done, but, you know what?  My USN was all clear today.

jrgolomb

Thank you for asking, Kmmd. I was so glad to be able to relax for a bit.  I am so glad your USM came back okay!!! Celebrate!

Bk, so nice to read your messages.  I miss all of our JJs! 

jillyG

thanks everyone!

Jess, what does multifocal mean in your signature?  Does that mean 'more than one area of cancer'?  I had 1cm IDC in one area and my surgeon said the path report indicated 'several areas of DCIS as well'.  

jrgolomb

Jilly-Yes it means one area and I also had idc and two other subtypes.  I guess it was in the inner(medial?) quadrant of the breast.  That is a nod of concern because of the location of the cancer near  nodes docs don't want to take out--only zap and chemoize.

ktym

BTW Jess, we've missed you on the motivatin thread recently.  How's that going?  Last week a bit of a struggle for me.  I'm determined this week will be better.

Alo123

Hello Ladies.....I have been back to my regular life and I don't seem to pop in......my anniversary of my first treatment is this week......wow...hard to beleive how much my life has changed,  I am so thankfull this year is starting off better......Aloha to all!

ktym

Aloha Alo, happy to hear things are back to more normal for you

holtbolt

Hi.

Just popping in with crappy news.  Nice, right?  My mom found out yesterday she has to do four rounds of TC (following her mast right before Christmas).  I am stunned and very sad and worried  how she will do at her age.  This time last year, she was nursing me back to life after treatment number 1.  I hate this.  I hate cancer and I'm sick of hearing bad news.  So.... post away with your GOOD news... makes me happy to read it!

I am off today to get pre-op tests (Chest Xray, EKG) for my upcoming Stage 1 reconstruction surgery in New Orleans.  The irony of my Indianapolis Colts playing the New Orleans Saints in the Superbowl is too much!!  GO COLTS!!!

Hope you all are doing well and enjoying LIFE again....

jillyG

Holtbolt, I am so sorry your mom has to go through chemo at her age.  That is awful news.  How is she handling the news?  I hope she gets through it with very minimal side effects.  I work at the hospital where I got chemo so every day I park my car around the back of the hospital and walk to my office, well, I have to pass the chemo room window and when I see people sitting there with their little hats on and the IV poles next to them, I swear I almost cry (well I do cry some days) everytime I see that.  Now that we are better, we want to never think about chemo again, but the reality is there are people like your mom who will be just starting the journey through it.  I am so sick of cancer and what it does to an entire family.  It will be a rough year, but it sounds like your mom has a great support in you and you will help her get through this. 

holtbolt

Jilly, thanks for the kind words... mom is understandably scared to death.. especially after seeing me go through it.. unfortunately I had those 2 bad allergic reactions to Taxotere too and that doesn't help.  She sounded better today but I am very worried how she will do.  And now because of the horrible timing of all this.. I will be of no use to her.  My Stage 1 reconstruction is 2/23.  It will be a while before I can travel to her house and help her... they say I will have drains for 6 weeks or more ... SGAP is rather complicated.... I was hoping to go to NOLA in a different mindset....but I am anxious and worried about mom now....she was also supposed to come here and stay with our son so my DH could go with me... now I am scrambling for a Plan B.... *sigh*.. life continues to be challenging.. but we plow along....