Starting Chemo February 2009?

gcpommom

Thanks so much everyone for your input.....I agree with many of you....Kerry,thanks for the info, it helps, and Michele, you're right....we'll never really know the "right" amount of tx. 

Apple and Michele, right there with you on the fire-tongue thing.  Even the mouth sores, one we can see, the other we can't.  Hurts like heck though.  Good idea not to show your onc, Michele, and I hope they don't get worse.  I wasn't telling my onc either....DH told on me!!!!  He was worried because I was in pain.

Terri:  I'm sorry you're in pain, and thanks for your help as well.  I hope the supplements work for you.

I've been taking the B6 and L-Glutamine, who knows if it is helping or not....could be worse without it, right?  I take 100 mg B6 and 8-10 g L Glutamine a day.

I'll get it figured out next week I guess.  Thank you all again, I feel alot better

Denali

Big turning point for you and your family.  What a handsome son and you look GREAT!

We love seeing photos of everyone with their families! 

apple

Judy and Michelle - i would assume the neuropathy will not last.

mine fades after a while (i;m on a frequent low dose of taxol.... for a long time.. one more month to go)

i am managing my mouth sores.. i slather aquaphor around my lips - in the corners.. i bought some biotene gel to supplement what little saliva i have.. expecially at nite.. the mouthwash works well to.. just a few drops.. (i don't even spit)  - i tried rubbing my tongue with some aquaphor.. that helped over nite.  it's probably poison but so are chemo drugs, so i though what the heck)

i eat just smooth things.. yogurt, oatmeal, cottage cheese, peeled apples stuck in the microwave to soften.. things like that. 

i miss potato chips.. i really like those things and hot peppers.

KerryMac

Judy - great photos. I agree, you look great.

I am so sorry you guys are all struggling so much. I hope you get some relief - it sounds like no fun. 

My son had his "trial" day at Kindergarten today. He had a total meltdown right before we had to leave, the poor thing, but was happy as anything once we got there. I will try and post a photo. 

KerryMac

Here is Jack before we left home for school - he is looking a bit worried!

KerryMac

Here we are on our way to school!

gcpommom

Linda and Kerry:  Thanks!  You guys look great in your pics, too.  We should all be proud of how strong and beautiful we are (with or without our wigs!).  I love looking at the pics, it's nice to "see" everyone and their families.

Kerry:  Awww poor little guy....kindergarten is so scary for kids, but what a great idea, "trial" day, we don't have that here.  How did he do???  And by the way....WHAT A CUTIE PIE!

Apple:  Give up chips???  What???  I suffer through, it's worth the pain!   I must say, my numbness is getting better, or I'm getting used to it.  I'm sure I'll do tx #10 and see how it goes.

We're having our garage sale tomorrow....been setting up all day....way too much work, it's much more fun to go to them than have them!  Hopefully we'll make some money!

Hugs

Judy

Tamara1201

Gramof3, great art work, might have a side business for them lol. I saw some henna tattoos for scalps, thought I might look into that but I'm so pale I'm afraid the glare off my skin could cause eye damage or car accidents

Tamara

xpectmiracles

Judy and Kerry, wonderful pics of you and your kids!

Artemis

I got my drains out today!  I got my drains out today!  I got my drains out today!  *happy dance*

Hurrah hurrah for Denali!  Sooooo happy that your chemo is over!

Judy ~ I'm so sorry for what you're going through.  Really, really, really.  I wish I could make the decision for you.   *hugs*

apple ~ Glutamine makes you feel like jumping?  I think I'm going to have to try that stuff!

I love seeing everyone's pictures.  What a lovely bunch of Furies-n-Families!

Hugs to all,
Artemis

apple

oh.. those drains.. yuk.. i had one of mine in for almost 5 weeks.  finally the surgeon yanked it out..

ththththwwooooink... shudder.

sue50

Apple, perfect description of drain removal.....!    LOL

apple

ha ha..

i made that noise when it was being removed and almost gave the surgeon a heart attack.. he was such a dear..one of those true blue medical types with their eyes and ears wide open and loving hearts.  he thought he had torn something in side me.  i laughed so hard and he just stood there with this sad look in his puppy eyes because i was making fun of a procedure.. (or him) 

so funny. 

apple

KerryMac..

 what's with the Johnny on the spot?

Gramof3

Hellooooo Furies--I'm trying to catch up, but my brain doesn't seem to be cooperating (o.k. I honestly can't blame it all on chemo--I was struggling pre-chemo).  I love reading that several of you have graduated from Chemo U.  Denali, Suzanne, Jaimieh, Terri, Judy...it sure gives those of us who are still working on this part of the journey some hope!  Sorry if I missed a grad. if I go back to look, I'll lose my post. 

Expectmiracles My hair is still like baby bird fluff, too--except for about 6 longer strands that stand straight up.  I've given up on trying to draw in eyebrows; can't get them even; tried using eyeshadow and a stencil (like the lady from LGFB class showed us), but when I got to work, discovered I had used a plum-colored shade instead of brown; don't have the patience.

Bethie Congratulations on Elsie!

Jaimieh  Is that the Zometa trial? I'm going to talk to the research nurse about the Zometa trial on Friday when I go in for chemo.  I remember she mentioned the dental check up, but do you think they'll really make me have a pregnancy test, hee, hee.  I don't even remember the last time I was "exposed!!" 

Terri  It will get better, it will get better, it will get better.

Kerry What an adorable little guy.  I'd save that pic, and have it blown up poster size to display at his high school graduation party in 12 years or so. 

Judy You have a very handsome son, too!  Hope your garage sale goes well tomorrow.

Tamara  I hear you about the pale scalp.  Mine is "fish-belly white."  It's going to take lots of SPF 80 to get through this summer.

Living4today  I highly recommend "grandmahood."  You are in for the best years of your life!  (and they are so much more fun than their parents).  Congrats, Grandma!

Michele  Love the pic of you and your daughter.  Is she a little mischevious? She reminds me of one of my sisters at that age--life was never dull.  And, thanks for your comments on the drug companies.  It is obscene that they can use our fears to make a profit.

Apple  Have been thinking of you the last two evenings...remember how you said you live in KS but had never seen a tornado...we've had warnings two nights straight.  Would you please send them somewhere else--(not really, I wouldn't wish that on anyone)--it's getting so I can actually sleep through the sirens (heavily drugged, of course)  hee, hee. 

Sue  Years ago we had family friends in Sparta, NJ--have spent some great summers there as a kid.

Artemis  Glad the drains are OUT.

Webbie  ((((((hugs)))))

And I have a question:  a friend of mine has advanced endometrial cancer.  She had to terminate the radiation as it made her so ill.  Her onc has mentioned "cyber knife" treatment, but I can't find out anything about it...has anyone got info on this??

I'm done for the day--hope tomorrow brings good things to all of you.  Take care.  Helen

KerryMac

Good morning everyone - hope all are doing OK. Sore mouths sounds like no fun.

 Artemis - soooo glad to hear your drains are out. I hated lugging mine around, I always thought I would pull them out by mistake. I remember getting mine removed - my home care nurse did it right here in our den! She was so nervous about doing it the poor thing, I nearly just pulled them out myself! How is your wound healing up? I remember it took me a while to get used to the "new me" but it is just normal for me now. Odd looking, but normal!

Judy - happy to hear you are feeling OK. I'd do #10 too, and see from there. 

My little guy ended up being very proud of himself after his first "day" of school! My daughter has had the same teacher he will be having and he knows some of the other kids, so he should be fine. I think he is nervous about me not going with him. BTW - the port-a-loo is from out neighbours, they are having the longest renovation in history, started last October, still going.....I love looking at their toilet!!

I am off in about an hour to be zapped. Good thoughts sent out to you all today

Jaimieh

Gramof3~ I am right there with you on being "exposed"...lol....  I do know you have to finish all the pre-testing and start the trial before 8 weeks.  It's not that bad of stuff to due BUT I am doing that and pre-op stuff at the same time so I feel like I am running in circles. 

Good Luck Kerry with your zapps.  How did you post your pictures so large ??  I have been trying to post a picture of my lack of hair and it comes up itty bitty.  I would love to share pictures but they always come up so small that I get frustrated.  I know that my pictures are not small especially from my new camera.

Apple great description of the drain removal. 

Artemis~ Whooo for having your drains removed.  It is such a wonderful feeling once they are gone.  I hope you are healing well. 

Terri42

Judy - Nice pics!  My daughter is the same age and my son is entering high school next year - I can't believe it!  I don't feel old enough to have a kid in high school!!!!  I don't like how fast time is going...

KerryMac

Jaimie - i load the photos onto Flickr, then just copy and paste their location. See how that works - if you need more info I can be more detailed.

Jaimieh

Okay I did it thanks to Kerry and way too many hours on Flickr cusing up a storm....hehe....  3 weeks and 3 days out of chemo and my lack of hair.  I think I am not going to look at it for 2 weeks keep it covered when I go near a mirror to see if it grows faster if I am not looking at it 100 times a day

Artemis

KerryMac ~ my wounds look gross to me, but the surgeon keeps saying how great they look.  One side has this wierd swelling that makes me think I have a "man boob", haha!  I  hope your zapping went well today.

Jamieh ~ Is is a great feeling to get the drains out.  My waistline felt so small afterwards I thought I was Scarlett O'Hara!

Hope everyone's having a good day.

Hugs to all,
Artemis

apple

omg

we suffer so much.

hugs to you all.

(i am having a wonderful day. .. got most of the house super clean).  

i am spending alot of time this summer with my absolutely adorable daughter.. she is so kind, energetic, hard working and ten... and is a stunning human. .. strong and gorgeous... such a joy to be with.   She is diving on two teams this year and is busy.  I used to be an excellent diver and help with the meets and coaching.    she just got her hair cut and is absolutely adorable.  it is wonderful to have such a gift.  i try not to think of her sorrow if i were to die in her childhood. 

doesn't this disease just suck? 

Jaimieh

((Bighug)) Apple~ You have done everything that you can time 10 to kill the beast.  You will be around for a LONG, LONG time.  She sounds like a doll to be around. 

Denali

Don't you worry, Apple, you'll be around to dance at her wedding.  As Jaimieh said, you're doing all you can and then some.  Thank goodness, this isn't a worse cancer than it is!  There' so much worse out there.  With BC research going full guns as it is, there will be new treatments coming up all the time.

We'd love to see a photo of your daughter with her new haircut.  Give her a hug for us.

MicheleS

{{{apple}}} It is very hard.  Those damn thoughts creep in on our best days too!  BC is so mean and hateful.  I robs us of everything we hold dear and then some...

apple

gosh.. what a depressing post i made.

sorry.

who knows... i've outlived many people i know already.. who am i to complain?

Jaimieh

Apple you have all the right to complain and you are not depressing.  What we have all been given sucks but the important part is we are all trying to make the best of what we have.  This doesn't mean is doesn't suck sometimes. 

BTW, congrats on 1 year.  ((bighugs))

MicheleS

Apple~ You have every right to complain.  It isn't healthy to ALWAYS feel the pressure to put on a happy face.  Sometimes we (the global BC patient "we") need to rip off our pink ribbons and stomp, and scream, and be pissed off.  This isn't fair.  And, it really sucks.  We are asked to go through hell for the *possibility* that we might extend our lives.  And... were are expected to do it with a smile (and a pink ribbon).  Well, I have news for *everyone* out there... I am mad, and it ain't pretty.  The next person to tell me to "keep that positive attitude" is going to be sporting a pink ribbon where the sun don't shine...

Rant brought to you by large doses of decadron and Ativan.

Apple~ I love you and pray so hard that you will be OK.  You are responding to your chemo, right??  Many, many {{hugs}}.

apple

i sure hope so Michelle.. - i expect to go on Femara soon... I'm not worried that the chemo isn't working. 

i won't know till i get scanned.. tho the nodes seem non palpable. 

MicheleS

Apple~  When are your scans?? My 1st set are the week of June 22.  I'm already anxious...