Starting Chemo February 2009?

MicheleS

Hi everyone,

Just a quick check-in... Doing pretty well but worked a full day today so now I'm off to go lie down.  I did get a chance to read through quickly today and I hope that everyone is feeling OK.  Kathy, I'm so sorry for your loss.  Poor Judy also has been dealing with the loss of a parent... I'm amazed that ya'll can function at all (emotionally anyway).  You guys must be super-tough-cookies or something!

I talked to Kathie on the phone today.  She's doing well physically and sends her "well wishes" to all of us.  Unfortunately, she's taking a bit of a board-break right now.  Between chemo, work, and  life... she's just not logging on.   Her 2nd TAC is Thurs so please keep her in your thoughts then.

I'm sure I'll log in tomorrow.  Been keeping all of the Feb furies in my prayers.

{{hugs}}

Michele

Gramof3

Lisa--On the Emla--just put a dollop on, don't rub in--just coat the port area.  Then cover it with a piece of saran wrap.  The wrap will keep it from getting on your clothes and also help it absorb into the skin.  Works well.  When my port had flipped over last Friday, I didn't feel a thing as the nurses were trying to stick the needle into the flat underside!  Good luck--you'll do fine.  Helen

jancie

I am going back to page 46 because I am behind the 8 ball as usual.

Gramof3 - I can't believe they flipped the port around!  I was too scared to get a port installed and I figured it would be a hassle - besides I have no problems with them sticking my veins.  Glad that your chemo didn't get delayed and you will be able to get to your granddaughter's birthday.  Post some pictures of the party if you can.

Kmm - boy did I ever understand the fatigue.  I am just giving into it now - taking naps whenever I am tired - trying really hard to pace myself.

Mrsrockytop - glad I could help you.  If you can get someone locally to measure your arm then you can place an order here stateside and have it shipped.  I was told that just normal compression sleeves only take 3-4 days after you order them, it is the body garments that take much longer.

Denali - thanks for the compliment on the horse photos.  I am really the pageant type mom when it comes to Jazzy - I love to share pictures of her!  And her daddy is gorgeous.  I can't believe I almost bought her daddy 8 years ago when I moved here to Utah but then again I don't like dealing with stallions.  Tell your DD that if she ever needs a shoulder to lean on, she can email me at ladylebleu@yahoo.com.  I have had my fill with evil stepchildren but I also deal with an evil and insane biological mother on top of that. 

Lisa810 - oh....being kicked in the chest - that was not the worst of the "horse accidents" I have dealt with.  I had broken bones on 3 occassions, previously kicked in the chest and in the leg, was face planted by the same horse that kicked me in the chest this last time in the arena sand.  She didn't see me and hit me in the back at a full gallop.  That was another wonderful trip to the ER.

I am so sick of the biotene toothpaste also that I am using regular toothpaste. 

Jaimieh - I lost my mare (Jazzy's mom) to colic when Jazzy was only 2 months old.  My little princess LOVES to jump.  We have free jumped her several times and she is so proud of herself, she is still young and has been under saddle 12 times last summer and I am slowly getting her back into training this year but I hope that next year at this time we will be competing on the hunter circuit.  I can't believe you evented!  That scares the crap out of me!  Those jumps don't move!  I watched a horse video called "thrills and spills" and ever since then swore I would never event.  I did love the puissance jumping that was on the video.  My horse is 16.1 hands and growing for another 2 years.  She will be close to 17 hands before she finishes growing.  I don't need that - I am only 5' tall myself.

How is your kidney situation going?  I read on page 47 where you have to have a procedure done.  Positive vibes heading your direction.

Webbie - you crack me up!!!  I am tired of the game myself but am trying to maintain a positive attitude for my husband and stepson.

Sue50 - Sounds like you have one great hubby there - you were able to drag him off to see wild ponies AND collie graves?  Whoa.....don't think I would get my hubby to do that with me.

KMN - PLEASE can I borrow your FIL?

Apple - did it bother you at first putting your hands in an ice bag?  I hate to ice anything on my body.

Calgal - The fatigue is about to wipe me out.  I do have some Ritalin that was prescribed but I don't take it every day.  When I don't take it, I am totally useless.  I am sitting here typing and yawning at the same time.  I signed up for chemo angels and I love my gal - she is an FBI Agent and she writes me these wonderful 3 page letters once a week.

I have to take a break - so back here later on tonight and will get through all of the other responses - that is if I don't just pass out with fatigue

Anonymous

oh (((helen))), thank you! saran wrap, huh? if i had a real brain, i would've been able to figure that out, i've only been staring at the diagrams for 30 minutes now. duh.

michele, tell kathie we meece her!

(((everyone))) 

gcpommom

I need to vent right now, girls.  I don't know how much more I can take.  I went for my taxol tx today, and had been having sharp pain in my left rib area again.  I knew it could have something to do with the blood clot, but my PA left it up to me to get chemo or go to ER when I called her early in the afternoon.

So, I felt a bit better, and went to chemo (after visiting my DD upstairs in hospital), but pain came back and they say, no way, they can't do the chemo.  So they sent me to the ER down the hall, and here I sit, IN THE HALLWAY, almost 3 hours later.  Haven't even been taken back yet.  I have never seen an ER this busy in my life.  Ambulance after ambulance, helicopters, non stop people streaming in (I am sitting right across from the check in counter, I've seen everything tonight girls).

I go to the University of Michigan hospital, which is the biggest here that I  know of, so it is crazy.  I'm like, "hello, chemo patient here with a pulmonary embolism and chest pain", but, here I still sit.  I want to cry, I want to go home.  I am so upset my missed my chemo today. 

Great, here comes another ambulance.  I hate this right now, I am scared, and just want to go home.

Sorry for the rant, but I am all alone (DD had to return to her room 2 hours ago), and DH is on his way, and I was feeling frustrated.

I'll get back on later and let you all know what's happening.  Hopefully the clot isn't on the move, but I am in a lot of pain, so I don't know what's going on.

Judy

MicheleS

prayers Judy!!! I'd be venting too...

Please update when you can.

{{{{hugs}}}}

Michele

Gramof3

Lisa, You are welcome.  The first time I used the Emla, I covered my whole chest with the saran--walked into the infusion center with it sticking out of the front of my shirt--class act.  It really only takes enough to cover the site!!  Helen

webwriter

Oh JUDY!

I hope your DH gets there soon! I'll stay here and hang out with you until we know you're okay. This is unbelievable! CRAP! 

Try to breathe slow. I'm sure deep hurts, but go slow as you can and feel warm, comfort vibe comin' up from Dixie.

What a sucky way to spend your day, but you're going to be okay. You'll be home soon and DH will bring a good strong piece of it with him. We'll be here as long as you need us.

webwriter

Singing.... "Sunshine on My Shoulders!"..."Judy Blue Eyes" (since I can't think of anything better..)

Dang. I gotta have dulcimer music around here somewhere...and I can't sing worth a crap. Sorry Judy!

gcpommom

Thank you Michele and Web, my husband is here now.  You guys are so sweet, I'm so glad to have  this site to come to when I need support.

Still sitting in the hallway.  I've always been treated so quickly here, I thought it was my 'chemo card', but when the beds are full, it doesn't matter what you have (except for heart attacks)

Another ambulance just brought in a little girl, her cheeks were so red, she looked so sad.  The EMT gave her a little bear with an IV wrapped in coban on it's arm.  Poor little thing.

The pain comes and goes, but I'm ok. It's weird, I've been running a low grade fever all day, but my blood counts before chemo today were pretty good.  Besides the pain, I don't feel 'sick', you know.  I'm afraid of catching something here, though.  I'm wearing my mask for sure, I've never seen so many sick people.

gcpommom

Web, you're so funny.  Back in the seventies, my husband used to call me "Sweet Judy Green Eyes" since my eyes are green!  

webwriter

Oh I love that! My (Irish) husband says my green eyes got him! I'm glad he's there with you. That's GOT to feel better. Thank all that IS you've got a mask handy. What a time to be trapped in a hallway! UG!!!!

Bet I-tunes has somebody that sings better than me....Hmmmmm...

suzmarks

MsROCKYTOP55/All - I'm just back from my 4 day trip from NY to Minnesota. I flew both ways. I also flew 3 weeks after my surgery internationally. I, too, was concerned about lymphadema and went to a lymphadema physical therapist preventively. I was told not to worry about a sleeve and have to say I haven't had a problem with flying either time. My only advice is that you probably don't want to fly if you're not feeling that great. I am back to feeling good again (certainly not looking good as my face is all blotchy) so traveling was great for me. I love taking breaks from this whole chemo experience. On the plane I read the recent Readers Digest article about the over diagnosis of cancer. I recommend reading it if you can. It is an eye opener about the over diagnosis of this disease, that because these tests exist the doctors and technicians find the tumors and the assumption is that all cancers are going to be deadly when in fact they won't be. Some will eventually disappear and present no risks. According to the article many people don't really need treatment and some of these aggressive treatments are very tough and extreme. It leaves you wondering. I haven't had a chance to read many of the posts but did want to respond as I see Msrockytop55 has an app't tomorrow.

suzmarks

Just caught up on the reading, oh, Judy I hope you get some action soon. Glad your hubbie is there and you're not alone now. Hope you're comfortable as can be and good luck to ya.

webwriter

suzmarks--welcome home! glad you had a great trip! Looking for that article now...is this the "preview?" 

Judy. You had better be in a room! With a DOCTOR! And the next thing I wanna hear is "PE has resolved it's self, you're good to go!" Pulling for you.

Off to read suzanne's article.

(Think I'm coming out of this one. Will take some time tomorrow to tell you a sweet story about DH and how he knew this one was almost over. Yes, it DOES have to do with food. How did you know? LOL!) 

kmn0701

webbie....yes, I was looking for other ways to keep in touch with other BC fighters/survivors. I don't know a WHOLE lot about facebook & setting up groups but it's nice to have another way to keep in touch with people. If anyone wants to become "friends" please PM me. Kerry & I already hooked up. And yes, definitely easier to share pictures that way!!

Jancie....if you bought him a plane ticket he might consider it. I think he has a soft spot for BC fighters now!

Suzanne....how are you liking your buff?? I got one & wear it around the house all the time now. I just throw it over my head & let it hang down in the back....it's kind of like my hair I say. lol

Kerry....elastic waistbands are my friends right now! Seriously if I wear my jeans they need to be unbuttoned. Cancer sucks but getting fat too....that's just not right!

On the EMLA...I use saran wrap on the port site only too. It has worked well for me. Love me my EMLA.

kmn0701

Judy...hugs to you. Damn ER's.

Hope everyone's feeling better soon!!

buddy1

Suzmarks I read the same article in chemo yesterday.My WBC jumped from 600 to 2200  Can anyone tell me if this is high enough to get chemo?  Hair loss started yesterday.  2nd AC

webwriter

4-11 being ideal range, I think that's enough, buddy1. Good luck!

ktym

Judy, I sent you a PM

webwriter

Sorry buddy1, I answered you, but I think I might have my decimals screwed up. According to my bloodwork reports the ideal range is between 4 and11. Mine was 2.3 and we went ahead with #3, so it might be enough for you. Good luck.

buddy1

Thanks Webbie.  I can always count on you to come through.

xpectmiracles

Hi everyone! It has almost been a week since my 3rd tx and I am still needing to take drugs 24/7 to manage SE. I was hoping that the culmulative thing would not be true for me. Maybe I was wrong. I am scheduled to work tomorrow and I am scared I will need to call in sick. I can't go in if I am feeling bad. I did that before and it turned out badly. I think I shared about that experience. I want my life back!

thanks for letting me share:)

KerryMac

Judy - hope you got seen to and you are now home and everything is fine. Let us know how you are doing!Can't believe they are making you sit there so long - my Onc said if I ever went to the ER the Chemo Card should get me a bed immediately.

Great to have the Facebook connections - and lovely to see all the photos. Anyone else on there?

Oh, yeah, me and elastic waisted pants, my new best friends! What is it with gaining weight on chemo?

Ah well, I need to have a shower. It's raining here today, blah. Think I am finally starting to get back to normal after #4, sure hope these last two aren't as rough. I am due in again next Thursday, so my Easter Weekend will be kinda scuttled. BUT, as long as I can get out of bed, the Easter Bunny will be delivering!!

MicheleS

Cheryl~  I also tried to work during cycles where I wasn't recovered *enough* to go back.  DON'T DO IT!!!  This last cycle (AC#4), I waited longer to go back and am glad I did.

susan13

Well this is my 3rd week out of Taxotere, and I hate to say but I'm still not feeling that great, definitely not back to normal yet. From what I remember afater my last AC it took me a good 4 weeks to feel somewhat normal again, so let's hope by next week it happens.  One funny thing is that my hair started to clump out again, I'm wondering if this stuff has delayed SE's.  I was hoping it stopped and that it would start to grow back... but it doesn't look like that's what's happening.  Also having nightly hot flashes that are waking me up.  Seems as though my period has finally gone bye bye, for now anyway.

Kerry-I am on facebook too!

Terri42

Hey Furies!  I am far behind - trying to catch up with you guys - love all the pictures Kerry!  And I'm thinking about ordering that T-shirt!

I had Taxol #1 yesterday.  My onc gave me Benadryl, Tagamet, Decadron and Compazine (it would have been Zofran but I can't take that one) prior to the Taxol.  I was very sleepy from this combo which I hate - then the Taxol took 3 hours.  This was a very long day - yes I feel better than AC but it's still no piece of cake.  The weird thing is today I'm not taking anything unless needed which feels really strange after so many pills from the AC treatments.  I am a little achey and have some tummy issues - Apple (I think it was you who gave us the oatmeal remedy) I ate oatmeal but cooked it first - still hope it works!

I'm also supposed to start Herceptin - anyone else out there?  Supposedly I shouldn't notice any SE's from this one - although just the fact that I have to go to the infusion room to get it is a SE to me!

I hope everyone is doing as OK as we can be today - you know we are all at least halfway there or farther (I think) so it's better than the beginning...

KerryMac

Oh, i was hoping your hair would be flourishing back already! Guess it will be a long, bald summer...!

My period hasn't totally gone yet, but last time it was light. My Onc said it should be through by the end of chemo, unless I have "super ovaries"!  I think I am going to get them removed anyhow, onceall the chemo is done with. Menopause, here I come....

Susan, I have PM'ed you re:Facebook. 

gcpommom

Hello from the ER....yep, still here, no big surprise there.  I ended up sitting in hallway for 6 hours!   I am hoping to be home by tonight, they are talking about admitting me, but I can't see a reason for that since all tests came back ok.  Clot still there, hasn't moved or grown bigger, though.  Not sure why pain was so severe yesterday, but they want to check my heart via bloodwork 3 times, every 8 hrs, that is why they want to admit me.  But they will draw the last bloodwork at 5pm, so they really don't need to admit me anyway.

So, I am really tired of running to ER whenever the pain comes, but the thought of something going wrong with the clot in my lung PETRIFIES me.  I have no choice but to be careful.  Sucksola.

Thank you all for your help last night, and your well-wishes too.  I feel like such a wimp, having too many problems with all of this.  I just want to quit "playing the game", like Webbie said.

Talk to you later

Judy

kmmd: I pm'd you back

KerryMac

Oh, judy, I can't believe you are STILL there. Man, this whole thing sucks anyway, and for you to be sitting in a hospital sucks even more. Sending big hugs....