Chemo Starting Sep 09
Comments
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Hello SOSisters...good day here in N.C. No aches, pains and no weepy spells! Yeah me....
Mari - you can go to the website for Look Good Feel Good and get a lot of helpful tips. No goodie bag though! Hope you enjoyed your jammie day, I'd like one when I feel good.
Pamelajo- I love chemotard! You are a hoot! And I'm going to buy myself some post it notes that aren't yellow and paste them all over my desk and have a rainbow. I keep finding myself wondering what all my passcodes are for my different systems I have to get into at work. I have started writing them down because I am definitely a chemotard these days!
Melinda - we watch all the same shows, and I don't watch the commercials either. I'm sorry you will miss the Halloween festivities but certainly sounds like you will be pretty busy this weekend! You can send me some good luck, I'll take all I can get. I can see us all in chemotards and they should be some horrible color (like chemo). I had a lumpectomy - however mine was on the bottom. I had a sentential node biopsy. I didn't require a drain, and to be perfectly honest I was surprised at how painless the whole thing turned out to be. My worst problem was being sick from the anesthesia. My breast has healed nicely, I now have one smaller breast but I can live with it.
Susan - can't wait to hear how it went today. We have all been thinking of you! I would like a lemon cranberry please.
Barbt0323- we're treatment partners along with Melinda & Catherine next week. I also bought candy for Halloween and yes it was the candy I like! Of course by Halloween I won't want it!
Catherine - you are absolutely stunning! Welcome to the bald and the beautiful. I think we should all be on the cover of some women's magazine in all our glory. I can appreciate being anxious next week, remember my nurse who is an angel said if you have a reaction it is normally a one time thing. Be positive.
DomeGal - chemo effects us all in different ways but all of us have had the emotional roller coaster ride. It's perfectly normal to be down, cry, stomp, scream, be down in the dumps. At any given time you can find one or more of us having one of those days, or two or three. I will also be out for the count for Thanksgiving, keeping my fingers crossed for Christmas. Hang in there girl, you are strong and surrounded by strong women on this website. We will send you strength and cookies. Well I won't personally send you cookies, I don't bake but I'll send you positive thoughts!
Vickilynn - glad hubby is on the mend! I like your tree illustration, I could use some pruning. I also like the idea of sitting down at Susan's and having cookies & tea. Susan are you ready for us? I'm going to post a new picture this week - I'll even put on some different clothes!
BarbAnne41- glad the headaches are better! I agree about the treatments, thought my second was going to be better than the first (it was for a few days) but then it got worse. I'm trying to stay positive for the next one.
Amy - isn't it great to be able to say you are halfway through? I will be able to say that after my "bad chemo" next week. We will survive!
To all who haven't posted yet - I'm thinking of you but too lazy to find my list of names! Everyone take care, hope our txt sisters are having mild/no side effects and everyone else is having a great day!
Thoughts and prayers....
Jane
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Hello my dear friends -
Sounds like a couple of us are having hard days. I am so very tired (in and out of bed all day and very emotional) just when I think I have it all under control.....I can come here though...and all of you understand. I have many friends, family, but frankly Im tired of them telling me to stay positive and keep my chin up...They have no clue and always want me to listen to them and console them...then when I need them....well, they need "time to themselves" or they are "having trouble and can they call back"? WOW, I am a whiny witch today.
But here when I post, you all always have time just to say "Im sorry". No matter how you are feeling. I dont always have to be positive (although it sounds better coming from all of you) and I can always cry. I hope I am that for you too.
Thanks for the ears, Ill be better tomorrow. Tx coming next week and its so hard.
Love you all so very much
Toni
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Awww Toni we are here for you. I know what you mean about being there for everyone else-ain't it a-- well you know what word I mean. And we are the ones who are "sick"-go figure.
You say happy/sad, positive/negative anything you want girl--we'll listen. Cry too
Big hugs and much love.
I am with ya girl I am trying NOT to dread next weeks tx.
Jane I am sooo glad youa re having a good day-yeah!!!
Barbara
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Okay all of you beautiful bald gals(and of course those who are still sporting their own "wig" too funny), I hope you are all doing great! I love Vickilynn's plan, my house is a mess, but for you ladies I would throw open the doors, and put on the tea and bake all sorts of cookies! My tx went well, but really slow. It took 4 tries, 3 nurses, and 1hour and 15 minutes to start my IV. I think I would have been a good candidate for a port. I have the most bruised arm you can imagine. You can even see that the veins are bruised. I did get to see the oncologist, and just as many of you predicted, she was way better than last time. Thanks to my well prepared list (thank you Melinda) I was able to ask intelligent questions, and get my answers. I got the copies of my reports, and I feel good about that too. So over all I am happy. I guess since I have had one bad experience, and one good experience the next visit will decide.
Jane, Catherine, Domegal, Pamela, Melinda, Vickilynn, Barbanne, Barb, Mari, Neece, Toni and any and all others. I love you. It is okay to be sad, and to need time to heal, it is okay to miss things now so that you won't miss them later, and it is okay to be bald and eat cookies! You are all such great role models and I love you all dearly! You are so in my thoughts and prayers. I need to go beddie bye now so I am signing off.
With much love,
Susan
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Dear Susan,
Jeez I'm pissed off that you didn't thank me!
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Hello SOS
Having a great day and feelin good.
Dome gal- We all have our down days. That is one of the reasons we have this site. No one else can listen and respond except the ones going through this. There will many better days ahead for all of us.
Vickilynn- I love the Fall analogy. The Fall season is my favorite.
BarbAnne- I was thinking the same thing about the good days. Being someone who was rarely sick before I appreciate the feeling "normal" days alot more now.
Melinda- I have tx next week. It is # 3 of 4 for me. I think there are 4 of us next week. Getting ready for some down days. I had a mx with recon and had 2 drains in. One was on the side of my breast that stayed in for 5 days(no problem). The drain in my back were they took the muscle for the surgery was in for 4 weeks and it was terrible. The pinching and burning was all the time. I was told by my PS that it would be the worse part and boy was he right.
Jane- I'm glad you are having a good day. Hope you have many more.
Toni- Tomorrow will be a better day. Sharing our good and Bad ones here is helping all of us. We will get through this one day at a time.
Susan- Getting the IV started is one of my worst fears. I am so sorry that happen to you. Get lots of rest and wishing you sweet dreams.
Hoping everyone has a great weekend!!
THINK POSITIVE
chat with you soon
Catherine
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Hello SOS Sisters,
Just a short note to say hi. I am at work and so glad it is Friday. Fortunately it is slow today.
I bought my husband tickets for the "So you think you can dance" show tonight in Tampa. I bought him the tickets in July for his birthday before I was diagnosed. He loves that TV show. Fortunately, feeling decent because week before treatment. He told me that I have to wear a mask due to crowds. I told him that it is a way of saving on food and drink!
I may be a Chemotard but I will find ways around that. For all of you feeling under the weather, hope you feel better soon. Pretty soon it is going to be November - and two months since we have started this journey. Can't wait for it to be over for all of us. We are in this together!!!!
Love to you all!
Barb T
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TGIF SOSisters.... could I use a few more letters? Yesterday I felt great, today I'm tired. However, it's Friday evening and I can kick back. We had chinese take-out tonight - I hate to use plastic utensils and got out the good stuff which I promptly threw in the trash with the styrofoam containers! Hubby says where are the forks? DUH! Chemotard strikes again.
Toni - I feel for you gal. I had a weepy moment or two myself this week. When I mentioned dreading next weeks txt husband said don't think about it. They just don't understand. Better days are coming - in my case January! What about you? Hang in there, you are tough and surrounded by your sisters in spirit and I will share my 1/2 ounce of energy with you! What day is your txt next week? I'm Thursday.
BarbAnne41- what day next week are you? We need to coordinate all of us getting txt next week and we can have a great big ole pity party complete with sad hats and deflated balloons! How did you make out this week?
Susan - we do not care about messy houses! We care about tea and cookies and each other! I am so glad your doctors appt. went better. Let us hope it was just one bad day for the dr. So sorry you had to go through the iv pokes, have you considered a port? They are wonderful. Keep us posted how you are doing, hope you don't have any side effects!
Onty - please don't be angry! We all suffer from chemo brain and I know I forget to acknowledge someone probably every time I post. How are you doing? When do you go for your next txt?
Catherine - I hope you have a great weekend. If you are like me probably going to be trying to get as much done as possible before next week. What day is your treatment?
Barbt0323 - so do you and hubby dance? I think it's wonderful that your hubby likes the program, mine does not like to dance. Hope you have a great time at the show and you deserve a wonderful dinner to go with the show! Hope you have a great weekend!
To everyone else - I know you are busy and hope that is because your are feeling great! For those of you feeling down, under the weather, etc., my thoughts and prayers are with you!
HAPPY WEEKEND!
JANE
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I got an idea. Let's just all go in my room in our jama's, climb up on top of my big tall four poster bed, get under the quilts, tent up, and cry our eyes out? Once you see how red my big Dumbo ears get when I get a good squall on, you'll be laughin instead of cryin. I'll take in a flashlight so you can watch the transformation.
I'm worn out. 50 hour work weeks do not agree with me right now. I want to fix Dennis a nice supper, but I'm sooooo tired. We had take out last night, and I feel guilty as hell feeding him take out again. Better wrap my bald head up and go forage for something to make for dinner.
I love you all..........see you under the quilt in a little while.
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Oh, Onty, I am so sorry! I was just worn out, and couldn't think of everyone. I didn't mean to leave you out. I was to lazy to pull out my cheat sheet. Of course your help and support is most appreciated. I hope you are having a wonderful Friday, and that you have a great weekend.
Love and Hugs,
Susan
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Hi Susan,
No worries darling, I was just pulling your leg :-)
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Hello beautiful ladies-
Pamela- Can I bring in a fan under the quilt I keep getting hot randomly.
Jane I am Tuesday, we can have a PP (Pity Party) Friday-I should be good and fed up, exhausted and just generally hot and bothered by then. I love your silverware story- I can see myself doing that even pre-chemo.
Onty- I had a feeling you were funnin'
BarbT- enjoy the show, your hubby sounds like mine, I think it would be easier if we got all the other people to wear masks. Hope you two have fun.
Catherine- I know what you mean. I was rarely sick and now to have an SE-free or Tigger day, I really appreciate them. If I wake up pain free with an appetite, wow it is a good day. I never have been much of a scab picker (the kind of person who feels sorry for myself) but this has made me appreciate those really little (I know very cliche) things even more. I am with you-enjoy.
Susan-Kudos on the good doc visit. I am sooooo very sorry about the IV. I really hope your arm is feeling a little better. Try ice packs if the veins themselves feel bruised-you'll know cause it will feel stiff and sore inside the arm. (Mine did that in a blood transfusion) The ice packs will help.
Toni- I hope you are well today. I cried right out of the blue Thursday on my way to work. I really don't know why or what I was really having a great morning and it just showed up. It is OK and we love ya girl.
Vickilynn-hope you and the hubs are doing well.
Melinda- you are one busy girl. I love sauerkraut, cold, I know I am weird, but it is good. I have never heard the good luck thing, I have heard that about black bean soup on New Years Day though-what a combo that would be.
I had a lumpectomy and the SNB. Mine was deep in the tissue and on top, sort of noon, so I didn't have drains and stuff. There is a difference in size between my breasts now, but I also had 35 radiation txs so that also shrunk it too.
Amy- gosh your picture is just cute as a button. I can't remember without scrolling back and I am afraid I will lose my post since the start of Taxol have you had any nail issues? Do you have to take Emend or something else with the Decadron. May I ask what kind of surgery is planned in Jan/Feb-or is that still in the deciding phase. I find it so interesting how many different ways they have to treat us.
Well lovely September Sisters-I would try to name everyone but I know I would fail miserably-I love you all, much love and gentle hugs-Oh and super soft tissue if necessary.
Barbara
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Hey Barbara,
no nail issues yet...just neuropathy to my fingers on my left hand and left big toe (my onc says it is weird to be on just one side)
i take aloxi IV push, decadron, benadryl, and zantac IV piggyback right before the taxol, then i finish with herceptin. after my 12th tx i will take a 3 week break to build up my blood counts then surgery sometime the end of dec. I will have a double mast and ooph.after that i start the A/C. After 2 months of that i will have 6 weeksof radiation.When i start the radiation, i will also start 40 weeks of Herceptin. Then after that.......reconstruction WHEW!!!!
I hope that makes sense. Please ask me anything. I don't feel as tho I help as much as most here do.
Love to all,
Amy
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Dear Sisters,
Thank you all for being here when we need you! And even when we just want you to be there!
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VickiLynn-Nice new photo, and some sun too-nice. We are stuck in an overcast period in Michigan your sun looks warm.
Amy- Holy carp, (yea I said the fish-thought it might be less offensive) that is a lot. Jeez girl you have your next year-ish planned out. I have to have an ooph too, but it is a wait and see after they start me on Tamoxifen, after chemo, so maybe next summer, or fall, or it may not happen until 2011-it depends on my hormone amounts in blood work after the Tamoxifen.I already had my uterus out (at 28) kind of wish they taken the ovaries too-but hindsight is 20/20.
It sound slike you are handling the Taxol well. I am sorry to hear the "pre-drugs" stay about the same as AC. I was kind of hoping they would be less.
Oh and by the way, you help a lot, just by being here and chatting us up.
You are as important a part of the sisterhood as each of us is ---and thank you for the info. Well sisters I made oatmeal for breakfast and then thought I should sweeten it for fun so I tossed in a handful of milk chocolate chips and then topped it with a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt, so I essentially had a giant warm chocolate oatmeal cookie with ice cream-well why not. I may not be bald, but I am eating like I am!
Hope it is warm where you are.
Barbara
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Oh I just love you all so much!
Onty, I wondered, it just didn't sound like you. I hope you are feeling well, and that you have a beautiful weekend.
Barbara, what a breakfast!! Sounds like the breakfast of a true champion, a chem champion that is. I wish I was closer, I'd come over and share. I actually have to go sit at Starbucks for two hours to sell gift certificates to benefit the marching band, and so I will eat their oatmeal, and wish I was visiting with you over a bowl of your oatmeal.
Vickilynn, I love the new pic, you changed your clothes! We all need to do that now and then. I hope all is well with you and your DH, as well as all of the kids, grandkids, and puppy. How is little Kemo?
Pamela, what a great idea for a party. I say we all gather next week, and make it a Halloween bash. I bet we could come up with the best costumes on the block, with all of our bald heads. But maybe just us and your flashlight would be more fun.
Amy, of course you help! Of course you are important! We need you so much. And we will be here for you as you go through all that you have ahead of you. If you have questions for us about surgery, please ask, there are a lot here who have had BMX, etc. I hope you have a very joy filled weekend.
Melinda, your sauerkraut and pork with mashed potatoes brings back warm childhood memories! My maternal grandparents were German, and that was a common meal in their home. I love it, and still make it once in a while. I just love cabbage cooked about any way. I am making sausage with cabbage and mashed potatoes for dinner one night this weekend. You add cider vinegar, and Italian dressing while it is cooking, so it is a little like sauerkraut. Good stuff!
Jane, I hope all is well with you! I hope you have a very wonderful, side effect free weekend.
BarbT, have fun at the show! I agree, everyone else should wear the masks and protect you! I hope all is well for you and your DH.
I am sure I forgot many, but now I am running late to get to my Starbucks gig, so I will catch up with everyone else next time.
Just know that my love and prayers are always with all of you!
Susan
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Hey Sisters...I'm at our "cabin" in eastern washington and going to catch up, without interruptions, on the last week of happenings (4 pages!)...I've been good, but was really upset that my idea to take my lap top to # 3 tx last week didn't work. When I tried to log on, it wouldn't let me due to it being an "unsecured" site
I thought it was funny that I'm at a major cancer center, trying to log on to a breast cancer site. OH WELL...I've just glimpsed a few of the goings on...and am ready to go back to page 18 & see how all of you are. Love you and have been thinking about you non-stop...just sometimes can't get motivated!!! I'll be back - don't forget me! xoxoxo -
Hello SOSisters...
Next week is certainly going to busy for a lot of us so I hope everyone is having a great weekend.
Pamelajo - I love your pj idea. I know you have worked your butt off this week but I have to ask - will there be cookies? Want you to know that I'm thinking about you and your appointment on the 29th, know that you and the doc will find the best course for you!
BarbAnne41- glad someone else besides me needs a fan. I have small hand held fans all over the house, in my purse. I have already done the menopause thing once and here we go again - it sure does get hot! I'm hoping our PP party will turn out to be a lot more fun and we will feel much better than we hope next week!
Amy - WOW - what a schedule you have coming up. We are going to be with you every step of the way!
Vickilynn - love your new photo, I'm going to post a new one too (maybe tomorrow). Tell DH good luck on Tuesday! How are you feeling?
Susan - wonder woman of us all, how did your Starbucks gig go? Raise lots of money? Do you ever slow down? Any side effects from your txt?
RonnieKay - like we could forget you! I had to get a password to log on through the hospital system and have to get a new one each time I get a txt. How are you doing since txt #3, any side effects? Hope you are doing well.
Melinda, know you are busy with your picnic. Neece hope your trip to Sydney was wonderful, how are you feeling? Barbt - hope you enjoyed your show. You, Catherine, Barb41, Melinda & I will all be getting txt next week. May be a lot of us down! Onty hope you are having a great weekend. So to everyone I forgot to list - wasn't intentional, just don't want to lose my post to go back!
Hope everyone has a wonderful, side effect free weekend!
Thoughts and prayers are with you!
Jane
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Dear Sisters: I hope we can also eat our cookies under the covers at Pamela's.
Melinda - I'm looking forward to hearing what a Kraut Stomp is like! I know very little about sauerkraut - but why do you make it 2 months in advance? how can that be lucky???
I am feeling so much better - I actually cooked dinner and cleaned up afterwards tonight. Just being able to be near the food was a big step. Tx #4 seemed to take a harder toll on me, but that could be psychological. Already I'm not looking forward to this weekly Taxol starting Nov. 3. The dr. said it's supposed to be easier on my system, but I'm not sure I believe it.
Be sure and check out our Blog because Neece has a photo from her night out in Sydney!
Oh - I got to play my mandolin with our son yesterday. I hadn't played since July and my finger tips are so sore (from the strings) and blistered and I can hardly type without going "ouch" so I'd better quit.
Still sunny and 80 degrees today!!!
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When we have our pj party, I won't put the pink sheets on the bed LOL I'm sick of pink and it's one of my favorite colors! Came home from work the other day and a big vase of pink roses were on the table along with a pink angel statue holding a pink ribbon. Chemotarded as I am just sat my purse down and turned away to go make some java when it dawned on me that those things weren't there when I left that morning. Then it took me like two minutes to think of looking at the card to figure out who brought them. My Mom and Sis got them for me, which made me wanna cry and I would have if I hadn't forgotten to two seconds later........but, they are pink. I hate pink. I'm sick of being the poster child for breast cancer in my neck of the woods. October is for orange and black, not PINK! Give me ghosts and goblins knocking at my door for free candy and popcorn balls instead of people bringing me cards and flowers. I'm NOT SICK dangit. It's a little breast cancer........no big deal. lol, ack, blah, toot......enough venting.
Jane, I am not doing cookies this weekend. Today, I am going for our yearly bike tour through the countryside to look at the fall colors. We will attempt to climb the fire tower. Normally it wouldnt be a big deal, but I may need a tug along this year. You can see for miles and miles at the top and the trees make a quilt of foliage......taking the camera along. I can't wait. When we get home, I'm going to get my supplies out to work on my tree, and maybe make some cherry turnovers. Went and stocked up on organics last night for the week. I've always been an all natural girl, but I'm going into overdrive on that thought lately. Gotta quit putting all the bad in if I want good things to happen. I need to make some soap too......used up the last of my last batch yesterday.
Love the new pic Vicki..you are such a beauty
What a smile! Amy, hush up....of course you are very important here and we love you! You've got a long road ahead and know that we will be here cheering you on through it all. Had my BMX in August. If I can do it, you can too! I'm looking forward to more surgery, weird as that sounds, to get my new foobs! I'm so sick of the pop in pop outs. I want to wear a real bra again. AND, be eternally perky, if you know what I mean. I'm 38, and my old models were already starting to stare at my feet.
I only wish my PS would agree to let me get my new nipple tattooed to match my eyes. Barbt: I hope you had a great time at the show. It's halloween time, I'd decorate the mask and roll with it! Safety and Stylish!
BarbAnne, you made one of my least favorite breakfast foods sound absolutely yummy! My mother ruined me on oatmeal when I was small. She'd make it up and it would be dry, then she'd put a ton of sugar on it with just a dab of milk and butter.....ugh, why I don't know, but that was the Plummer breakfast every morning K-6 I love oatmeal cookies though.
Susan, I love you too... our pj party could turn into a halloween party easily, with flashlights and scary stories under the covers! Just like when my girls were little...... I loved scaring them. They hated it then, but miss it now.......so every year I try to do something that makes them scream. They expected it this weekend, however, NEXT weekend, they better be careful approaching the house........heheheheh MWAHAHAHAHAHAH
Neece, hope you had a great night out before treatment. I'm thinking of you.
All you ladies having tx this Thursday, I'll see you then. Dunno whats in store for me yet, but I'll be at the hospital regardless.
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Hello SOSisters.... hope everyone is having a great weekend.
Vickilynn - I also cooked today, having Taco Soup. It's cloudy and cool today in NC. So glad you are feeling better. My dr. said txt 4 & 5 are usually the worst because of the cummulative effect of the chemo drugs. So see it isn't you, it's the drugs!
Pamelajo - your ride sounds like fun and climbing the tower to look at the leaves sounds like a blast. I hope you took lots of photos! I promise not to post anything pink. I went a little overboard buying pink when I first was diagnosed (why I don't know). You will have to be sure to share with us how you scare the girls for Halloween!
Neece - loved your picture! I'm glad you had a good time! Any side effects so far?
To everyone else I hope you are having a great weekend. Can't believe it's almost over and back to work in the am not to mention txt week for a lot of us. I have 20 letters ready to mail in the am trying to find us someone who wants to donate their hard earned money (a tax write off for them) so that we may have a luxurious reunion somewhere lovely. Will keep you posted. This is just the first of many - plan to send out as many as it takes!
Take care. Thoughts and prayers with all of you.
Jane
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OK...today I'm gonna do it...I'm gonna try to find out how to find the blog!!! I want to see NEECE'S pics from Sydney!! I know you must have had a lovely time...sounds heavenly! Then, I'll try to send my info to you, MELINDA...you gals are making me cruise right up to the 21st century and for you...I'll do it!!! OMG...I just caught up on last week's wild ride and can say reading "Our Story" is so much better than any book I could think of reading (actually, I'm into People, Us, Real Simple...attention span of a gnat here!).
TONI: I'm sending you my strength & love....I don't bake, so I won't send you cookies but I'll come clean your bathrooms because there's nothing I love more than a clean toilet
(Except chocolate...so I'd send you an Almond Joy, and if you don't like coconut...I'll eat it for you!). BARBANNE: Headaches are gone...right? I kept thinking I needed to tell you to take Aleve and Tylenol..and then saw that you'd taken it and not had relief..darn. My rad onc nurse said to take them both for 4-5 days after each tx and they must work for me cause I've never had a headache...knocking on wood! I had cream of wheat for the first time since this chemo thing started (breakfast isn't my favorite), it was heavenly...and then I read YOUR form of hot cereal...can't wait. I'll stock up on frozen yogurt and I always have chocolate in the house...can't wait!
AMY: Cute young thing! Holy moses...you DO have your life planned out-and a long life that will be!!! I'm sounding stupid again, but after figuring out DH (I'm with you VICKILYNN!), and a myriad of other ones I've figured out, I still can't figure out what OOPH is...please do tell! I'm thinking it's ovary-related...and that may be something I'll have after treatment is over. They may not do it though, due to the aromatase inhibitors (something my doc uses instead of tamoxifin) bringing on menopause. The fun never ends...I feel like I'm in a choose your own adventure book! And, I was wondering if you'll have herceptin every week for 40 weeks....mine, after this first 12 weeks, will be every 3 weeks...only 13...hallelujah!!! Even though I have the port, I'm just tired of getting poked each week (group groan). You will do fabulously and we'll be right here to rally you on!!!
PAMYJAMY: You are my anti-depressant...you MUST know that!! Love anything jammy and bed related! Little Hank and I jump on the bed all the time - well, I jump, which lifts his little 18 # - 3 percentile body in the air!! Then we both giggle!!! This is a morning ritual, since I show up at his house at 6:30 as mama and daddy leave for work. I usually wait for him to wake up, then we go to the parent's bedroom for hijinx! ROFL at the "boobs tried to kill me" shirt...&...the relative & burger comparison...like I said...keep me laughing!!! In the meanwhile...I'm sure your little body just said-enough is enough-to the chemo. Your doctors will surely keep a good eye on you (and you'll make them, right!!!) and know that you aren't growing little pesky things in there that shouldn't be! Thanks for the liver info - I've always been a poop-checker but I'm REALLY checking now!!! OH...have a wonderful bike ride..you're totally amazing & make me tired just reading about all your energy...SO, I take a nap for you each day
KATE: Amazing that you found this thread...you could, no doubt, feel our good vibes
You are our inspiration! Your reconstruct will be on my grandaughter's # 2 birthday...a good omen KIM: (I LOVE DOME GAL though!): If I remember...you finished # 3, right? What happens then??? If I go back to look, I'll lose what I've written and then I'll lose my mind, again! I know you were talking about Neulasta and Claritin. I took the Claritin for the first time on my 3rd tx and I think it helped a bit but the 2nd evening after the shot was still so awful! My pain is in my legs..mostly my knees and ankles. I've really never had pain anywhere else but it's so pathetic. I'm just so thankful I only have one tx left...is that it for you too???
BARBT: LOVE that your husband loves watching SYTYCD---and admits it!!! My hubby watches DWTS with me and I know he secretly likes it but would never admit it! My daughter bought us lessons at Arthur Murray's dance studio 3 years ago for Christmas and still haven't done it. Now that I've had cancer and am going to turn my life around (chuckle), maybe we'll do it next year!! Love the mask idea...wish I'd had one at a show instead of eating a whole bag of kettle korn...still digging stuff out of my gums!
SUSAN & MELINDA: I'm a German kraut girl! I grew up with sauerkraut, pickles and watermelon all sitting in crocks in the kitchen - sometimes the smell was enough to knock us over but yuuuum, it was all so good! Hubby and I grew up in farm country in the eastern part of washington but have lived married life mostly in the west part of the state (Seattle area). It's a 5 hour drive but going from the city to the country is oftentimes good for the soul...and everyone here at the old homestead (we bought my childhood home from the rest of the family when my parents died) is like family - we've known them all our lives. Tom's dad was the doctor and delivered me
TMI - but I love people who love sauerkraut!!!MELINDA: What treatment do you have after your last AC on the 26th?
VICKILYNN: I was all set to tell you about Taxol...and then realized I'm on Taxotere...chemotard!! I just know that my chemo nurses have said that A/C is the tougher regimen...so each time I see that you girls are getting A/C...I feel somewhat guilty that I'm on TC...and I know that's stupid, but it just makes me feel like I'm getting off easy!?!?! So glad hubby's recuperating well and will back to being able to take care of you (teehee!!!). OK...so the metal mouth, or whatever we call it, is about to get the best of me! The ONLY thing that really tastes good (besides the cream of wheat I just tried) is french fries!!! My daughter (who brings me fries when she gets home from work!), heard there's a cookbook out (I think from ACS) for people on chemo. It contains recipes that were written specifically for people on chemo with no tastebuds!! When she heard the interview she said it was everything I had talked about so she's looking into it and I'll pass on the info.
ONTY: Thank goodness you're better!!! My doc said to call with a fever of 100.5 or above and when I read your post I started hyperventilating! Sounded so frightening...it's enough to be having ses all over the place but to then have fever on top of it! You sound chipper now! We're the "secret sisters of the black line" - I have the dreaded line running down my thumb nail! I tried like the dickens to think of when I would have smashed it but a chemo nurse saw it and said...oh, it's from chemo...just like "drippy chemo nose", or "watery chemo eyes"...I was afraid to ask what else???? AND...I have purple tongue...holy crimony...I just looked...is that bad???? All I know is that I can't taste a thing and my tongue is numb....yuck. OH, OH...brachy was absolutely great for me. I think one of the pros for me was that my lumpectomy was in June, and in getting a second onc opinion (thank god..the first one was like Susan's), by the time I got in, they were hoping to get radiation done so that chemo could start by the 12th week after surgery. I had brachy in August and the scars are very light now, but I'm a fast healer. I had no side effects and no pain. It was somewhat obtrusive during the week (to have 25 catheters in), but it hardly had an affect on me (except no shower, only baths!). I haven't heard of the face down radiation...which sounds like it accomplishes the same thing as brachy..less damaging to good tissues, etc. Sounds like you are very medically aware...and that your doctors are great! I'm glad about that!
CATHERINE: A very Beautiful YOU!!
JANE: You can always buy new silverware!!!...I want to know HOW DID YOU EAT CHINESE????? I tried to eat it last week and it felt like a fire in my mouth!!! YOU GO GIRL!! I keep saying...cancer, schmancer, just bring back my hair and tastebuds!!! We're twins, I think! Look at our diagnoses (sp)...IDL vs IDC, big deal, the only diff. I lost 11 lbs., you lost 11 lbs., the list goes on! I did well with tx # 3. No real side effects except the darn Neulasta..oh how I hate that!!!! Other than the dead mouth, I really handle this poison pretty well. Mostly, it's most the mental stuff...do I wear the wig, do I care???, that gets to me. I'll do a new picture if you do
FLACRACKER: I've only worn mascara 2 times since I last posted about my eyelashes...and I don't think I've lost any more...but it gave me hope that people have said they grow back in about a month....hope yours are still hanging on!!!
MARI: One of the teachers at our school had a new baby daughter...MARI...how sweet is that....although I know I'll want to call her MAMAMARI when I see her!!!!
LOVE TO ALL OF YOU...If I missed someone...you know I love you too! I am blown away by the energy that all of you have and think that you're marvelous...taking care of families, having parties, fundraising, going to plays and concerts, cooking hairy breakfasts for kids, taking care of other sick loved ones, AND STILL, taking care of all of us on this thread....every chemo nurse knows your stories, my family knows each of you (and asks about you), I talk about you as though you're my best friends...and you are....you are there with me, understanding, holding my hand, knowing my feelings without my writing them - because they're your feelings too, and you've typed it first
So, Thank You...and know that you've made my journey so much easier...URLOVED! -
hello to my bautiful SOS sisters,
Feeling sore and sorry today, two days in bed and I am at least out of bed today but goodness everything hurts! The weather (after our hot spell last week) is cold and rainy which doesn't help the mood i find. feel like a droopy old dawg. I was excited about last week's tx being half way (3 out of 6) but who was I trying to kid? The thought of three more fills me with horror right now...
Oh well another day another challenge. I know "this too will pass".
Toni I am sorry you have been having a hard time with your last tx - think of my hand stretching across the Pacific to take yours - we can be suffering sisters together! Vickilynn wonderful to hear you have been able to play your beloved mandolin again - I am married to a musician and my son is also one so I know how important that would be for you.
Pamela when you are in hospital is that to plan the course of action from here? I hope it goes well and you get a good plan happening. Jane bless you still working away on the idea of a reunion - how exciting would it be? It is a nice thought to keep in mind while all this hard stuff is happening.
Love to all of you who I haven't mentioned by name - like many others I am finding it hard to keep details in my head including all the names of those lovely women I want to send messages to! Chemotarded is it.
Neece
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Jane, don't be sad, but I didn't make it up the tower. We didn't even stop. Took an alternate route and it was AMAZING!! I took lots of pictures though. Southern Indiana is absolutely breathtaking this time of year. Rolling hills full of bright oranges, yellows, rusts, reds and spotted with green. I love it. Next year, when I feel more zippy, I'll climb that dang fire tower and take pictures for all of you. I think my butt froze to the bike seat though. Oh well, I was getting too much butt anyway.
Ronnie! LOL @ me being an antidepressant. My family says they need nerve pills to tolerate me. Hmmm, I think I need new family. LOL I'll tell you a little secret....... I really don't have an abundance of energy. The truth is, I have the attention span of an ameoba. My days are packed full of lots of things to do because I get bored too easily. It sounds cheesy, but if I stop, if I just sit on the couch or in the recliner, I start to consider how horrible I feel, and that makes it real. If I'm up and moving and doing then I don't have time to realize the dismal situation I'm in, and therefore it does not exist. LOL Call me Sybil. I do talk to myself and I do answer myself. Dr. Phil would have a field day analyzing this crap. He'd just look me in the eye and say "you're whack girl, get off the stage". After tx 2, I laid around and every ache, every wave of nausea, every gas bubble and headache twinge were so enormous. When I finally said ENOUGH, and got up and started doing my thing, I felt better. I wasn't better, I'm still not all better, but I choose to ignore it. Just know that no matter what, I'll be here......as long as ya'all will have me. If I brighten someones day, well that brightens my day
Hank and my grandson Quincy would have a ball being bounced in the big bed Quincy's favorite thing to say is "Granny no no!" when I do something that would get HIM in trouble.....if he did it. LOLNeece, I go to see my Onc on Thursday. We are going to discuss my options and if she thinks I can handle it, she may go ahead and give me just the cytoxan. If not, then I guess I'll start on the estrogen inhibitors and call it good. I'm not taking radiation...put my foot down on that and counted to 10. That stuff caused this stuff. Not doin it, no siree. There are alternative medicines out there that can help. I'm going to ask her about them. I'm also going to ask for a chemo sensitivity test. That way, if this stuff ever comes back, I will know exactly what I can take and what will work. I feel sorta like they shotgunned this treatment for me. They can't find all my previous records from 22 years ago, so they don't have a full picture of what I was given. Whatever happens, I'm going to be fine. I'm too mean to die.
Toni! I miss you.
Mari, I totally forgot to leave you a cookie, or I did leave you a cookie and forgot I did. I have some nice Keebler Chocolate chunk cookies in the pantry. They aren't homemade, but they sure are good. I'm making popcorn balls later this week for the little trick or treaters....I'll save one for you.
Have a good night everyone
Much love and big hugs -
Hi SOSisters! I'm finally sitting down after a wonderful weekend... Saturday morning started with 3" of rain by noon.....nice and warm outside though and a pavillion style garage to slice and stomp the sourkraut under. We take the heads of cabbage, quarter them and then into an old rickety cabbage slicer that slices it thin and drops it into a large bucket....dump the cabbage into a large crock, add 1 cup salt, take an oversized baseball bat and start stomping it til it gets sortof mushy and creates liquid...continue that process until the cabbage is gone....luckily we had around 30 people here and I was not one of the stompers. (no sore arms the next day)...I kinda just made sure everything was coordinated and flowing....after we were done....we ate a huge crockpot of sourkraut roasted with pork over red smashed potatoes.....pumpkin pies, apple pies, cupcakes, ckn corn soup...I could go on....and on.....by one the sun came out and we all had a nice long lazy afternoon and I gave a hat and wig fashion show, as well as bearing my almost bald head. It was very funny and most of the folks are family, cousins, and close friends.....It was a very special day! Today
I worked on our pendant. It's just a prototype...cause I still want to see Pamela's tree.... It's a hand carved tree and stream (no bridge yet
cause I can't get it right) on the front and on the back it has a carved curvy heart with a "my" next to it and underneath has a carved SOS... basic message is"Love my SOSisters" .It's pretty cool, but I still need to glaze and fire it....so I promise as soon as I get it finished I'll take a pic and post it...Ronnie...I loved your post....The last paragraph gave me chills....of the good kind.... and your right our story is better than any book.....it's so special and it's ours.....we are so blessed to have each other....many are alone thru this and I can't even imagine how scary and lonely that must be.....
Amy...not sure I said it...but you help every time you post and have so much to offer many here who are beginning the tx you've already been through...and we will help you through what we've done....and honestly...I laughed so hard when you forgot how to spell your name.....you are our sister.....you have a special gift.....
Jane has come up with some terrific ideas....How about an SOS dictionary of all of our special words to describe our symptom/se's whatever....1st word has definitely got to be chemotard....so anyone want to give a hand and take on this endeavor...just need to go through all the posts and put together the list and a basic meaning (funny whatever) Just let me know if one of you wants to do this!
Janes other idea is to get a list of birthdays together so we know when to celebrate with you....Just PM me with it....it's up to you if you want to post the year....but for sure the Month/day.
I think it would also be nice to have a list of tx dates....that we could refer to for each other.... let me know what you think....it could be added to Vicki's 1st post that always shows up at the top here and on the blog.... or maybe I could put together a calender for the next 4-5 months with Bday's and tx's....and any other special events....What do you think?
Someone besides Neece asked me to post a song on the blog, but I can't find the message...I'm sorry....would you tell me again....pleeeese! And anyone else have any you want added...let me know & I'll add them this week....as I'm blending into my sofa hating commercials on tv.....
Onty and I have A/C tomorrow....she is # 3 and 3/4 the way done! I am ..........#4 ta da....my last........hoooray! I meet with my surgeon Thursday to schedule surgery, ultrasound and go over the next steps.....I'll let you know after Thurs what that final plan is.....
Susan and Neece....hope you guys are doing ok....stop in and let us know how it's going ...miss you both!
Pamela...I hate pink now too....My tennis club had a BC fundraiser Friday...(BTW I showed up Thursday -in my chemotard!) and I wore gray and green.....everyone else had cute little pink outfits....It never occurred to me to wear pink......nor did I even care too! Hey, what kind of soap do you make....please share! You could carve a tree into it....every time you shower...you will think of us......maybe that's kinda weird....ok ...leave out the tree....carve your DH;s initials instead
Back to the sourkraut....it has to sit and ferment for 2 months then when it's good and stinky...it's ready to eat.....just in time for New Years!
Sweet dreams and a whole nights rest with out bathroom visits.....Hugs to you all! Melinda
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Hello all of you dear ladies, my computer is acting funny so I hope my post works okay. I love you all so much, and just had so much fun reading about your adventures. It is good just to read about all of you even if you aren't having any adventures. I have spent the weekend doing the crazy kid thing. It was marching band state finals. My kids band finished 15th, not the greatest, but they are the greatest kids! My 17 year old is a senior, and so it was her last time in uniform, and she had a bit of a hard time with it. Me too! I cried to have it be the end of her high school band career. It was my sons first season though so we still have a lot more time with him. I don't feel very good today, but like Pamela, I just can't stop going. I hate to just sit around and feel crappy. I need to figure out how to take care of myself without going crazy.
I still love pink, but it sure has a different meaning to me now. I am all good with October being for Halloween. I want to see the little tricker treaters at my door. I am so glad that it is on a weekend this year. I'm not sure if I am going to be up to a funny costume, but my bald head could be some really good inspiration. I will keep you all posted if I figure that out.
Vickilynn, I am so thankful that you got to play your mandolin. I am sorry it hurt you, but your music is such a beautiful gift. I am glad you had warm weather. It is snowing here, but that is okay, because it is Colorado and that is what it is supposed to do. I like it when the weather is seasonable, it makes me feel confident in the world. I know I'm weird!
Jane, you are amazing! I have no doubt that our plans are going to come together. We are going to have an amazing reunion. Or will it be a union, since it will be the first time we have all met? Whatever it is it will be wonderful to have a real party. I think we should find a place with a real kitchen, because even though we will want to be waited on hand and foot, we might have to bake some cookies, or make some soup,or some sauerkraut, or cook up some oatmeal. We need to have full access to all possibilities.
RonnieKay, it is so good to have a long post from you! I missed you. I am amazed by you and thank you for putting into words what all I am feeling. I hope you have the best week possible.
Pamela, I am so glad you enjoyed your weekend. I am sure that doctor is going to have good answers for you this week, and you are going to be on the mend soon. Do you have TE's that you are going to start expanding when you feel better? I know that there was a reference to growing boobies a while back. You also need to keep us posted on hair growth. How is that going? Okay, I realize that I sound nosy, but I was just thinking back on what we were talking about awhile ago and I was thinking about you.
Melinda, I am just so impressed that you have all of the talents that you have. I am so excited about the pendant! Okay, but I have to admit that I am totally chemotarded, and have no idea how to access the blog. Can you fill me in on that one more time please. I am pretty out of it tonight so I will scroll back tomorrow and see if I can find it too.
Okay everyone, Barbara, Barb, Toni, Onty, Mari, Amy, Neece, Domegirl, flacracker, and everyone I forgot, I hope you all have a very good week, and that your se's are few and your pleasures are many! You are my favorite group of women in the world! I love you all!
Susan
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MELINDA AND ONTY...my thoughts will be with you today as you see tx #3 & #4...out the door. Nananana, nananana, hey hey hey, goodbye!!! It sounds like this week, especially Thursday, will be VERY BUSY for the team.
Whenever anyone has a moment, will you walk those of us (or is it just me?) through the steps to find the blog, please. Muchas gracias! Good night
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MELINDA...oops, forget on last post...I would like to help gather our little "pet names" or chemotardish sayings What if 2 of us took this on...maybe one do even pages, one odd. There is loads of reading and it would be awful to miss something so...anyone want to be my reading buddy????
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Good Morning All
I just spent the last half hour reading all the weekend posts and for some reason my brain is not working too good this morning. I usually can post replys to everyone but can't seem to get it together.
I think myself, Jane, BarbT, Barb41 all have tx on Thrus. Right?
I will be thinking of Onty & Melinda tomorrow and sending positive thoughts. I will be thinking of Pamela on Thrus. and hoping your dr. appt. goes well.
I love hearing how everyone is doing and what they are doing. I am glad you are all hear to help me though all of this. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers everyday.
THINK POSITIVE
chat with you soon
Catherine
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Dear Sisters,
I just want to ditto everybody else and say how much this group means to me. Even when I can't write much I look forward to reading what everyone else says. And I have these postings in my head that I want to write to each of you, but by the time it gets to making my fingers obey, I've either run out of steam or can't remember what anyone wrote! ARGGGGH!
So know that even when I don't address you individually, you're all in my heart.
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