Starting Chemo October 2009

suz45

Thanks Valerie,

That is so kind of you to say. You put a smile on my face.

It FINALLY stopped raining here so I got to take my Sophie out for a walk 2 days in a row and that made her VERY happy, lol. I've been sluffing off and avoiding taking her out in the cold rain (she doesnt mind, but its so yucky) heh he. I would much rather be snuggled up in my lazyboy chair in front of the fireplace (with a fire in it) but the exercise is doing us both good.... I swear she has put at least a pound on this last month & thats a lot for a 10 pound dog.

Her time is near and I have to make the decision.... to let her have puppies or not??? She seems like she would make such a wonderful mummy (even carries her stuffed animals by the scruff of the neck) I have a stud lined up for her around the end of Feb. DH is afraid I will keep all the puppies..... hmmmm he really had a point there. But I do have a long list of people waiting for her puppies. Havanese dogs are the most incredible breed, no shedding, not barkers (unless a stranger is in the yard) so very happy all the time, easy to exercise even in the house and they LOVE to snuggle. They look like an old english sheep dog except they are only 10 - 14 pounds. Lol Sophie even goes in a special backpack on the motorcycle.

Needless to say she's my lil sidekick and goes everywhere with me. Sigh.... what to do (lol so off topic)

Hugs Everyone and have a wonderful day, Suz

txstardust

Suz, isn't it nice to get out in the fresh air after the rain is done?  Although, I'm sure it's much colder there than here in TX!  As far as puppies - I'd take one if I were closer!  That breed of dog sounds perfect for an apartment.  I've held off getting a dog because I just don't think it's fair for a larger dog to be cooped up, and most of the smaller dogs are yappers which isn't fair to my neighbors or my own sanity!  I'll have to check into the Havanese.  Snuggling is a big bonus!

suz45

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Wishing everyone Health, Love, Strength & Happiness in 2011 !

Love & Hugs Suz

feistybluegecko

Sending all my special BC sisters every good wish for a kinder year for all, big hugs from sunny Yangon

Philippa

xx

micheleboots

Happy New Years to all my Sisters by Fate....So I am wondering which one of us was the first to celebrate the New Years...I suck at geography and my chemo brain is kicking in...is it you Phillippa?

txstardust

Here's to a happy, healthy New Year full of joy and good times with family and friends!

Any resolutions?  Mine is to lose weight - I've already started my diet on Thursday, we'll see how it goes!  I was VERY good last night, no alcohol (I never really though about the calories in wine and some mixers) and ate a relatively healthy meal.  I plan on starting to work out at the gym, considering I have a free membership at my school's health club.  Anything I can do to reduce the estrogen in my body is a good thing, considering I have stopped the Tamox (terrible side effects).

Love and hugs to you all!! 

valeriekd

Don't blame you Shelby. Just went thru 3 rounds with 3 different AIs and I just threw out the bottle last night. No way-no how. So its to the natural thread and losing 30 pounds for me!!! Good luck and a marvelous new years to you all!

MaryNY

Happy Healthy New Year to all of you! What a difference a year makes. I know a few of you finished chemo before year-end 2009, but I'm sure no-one was feeling the best for Christmas and New Year last year. I know I was miserable. Now I feel well, my appetite is back and I'm eating all around me. The downside is that I'm now 20 pounds heavier than this time last year. I know that I can blame Tamoxifen and chemopause but I also know that I'm just eating too much. I can't afford a gym membership so I'm just going to try and get back to walking 10,000 steps a day.

JOJO is the winner on getting to 2011 first. She lives an hour from Sydney so it's the middle of the night there now -- 4:30AM Monday to be exact. Philippa in Yangon is 4.5 hours behind that -- it's midnight there at the moment. It's 12:30PM here on the east coast of the US.

micheleboots

Where oh where is our princess Jojo...

suz45

Being on Pacific time I think I was the last to ring it in. Sorry I was with friends and no computer around. Hugs Gals

one-L

I was fast asleep at midnight.  I have kept my grandkids so much, I was just too tired and I knew the baby would get up early, so I had to get my rest.

This time last  year, I was one week past my last chemo and was finally feeling better.  At least I knew I would not have to do another chemo.  I am doing so much better now.  I do get tired with my grandkids, but not exhausted.  There could be several factors.  One it has been a year, second I have lost 25 lbs and that makes so much difference.  I only have about 7 more to go to get back to my prechemo days.  I would like to lose another 15 lbs, but will take it one pound at a time. 

Hope everyone had a great New Year and life just gets better and better.

Juannelle

MaryNY

Juanelle: Can you share your secret for losing weight? I'm really struggling. Even while watching what I eat, I've been steadily gaining weight all year.

one-L

Exercise and small portions.  I have probably been only eating about 1000 cals a day and you can't do much exercise with that low amount of calories.  I eat more times a day, at least 2 fruits, apple, orange or grapefruit.  2 proteins, 4 oz to 6 oz, fish, chicken or lean beef.  2 vegetables, whatever you choose, but enough to satisfy.  No sugar, no sweets, no cold drinks, no milk products, hardly any fat.  It is pretty low carb, but I am getting fruit.  I have to be careful, because I need to get 25 grams of fiber a day, so I have to drink most  of it by adding Benefiber to my drinks or something like that.  You will be hungry at times, but I am not sure it can be helped.  I really like fish and cabbage and can lose more weight eating that than anything else, but you do need to add some variety.

You know I have decided that it isn't important how you lose the weight, but how you keep it off and that is what I am going to struggle with.

I have also tried the cabbage soup diet and I can lose about 10 lbs in a week, but you have to make the lifestyle changes to win this battle of the bulge.

Hope this helps. 

Juannelle

MaryNY

Thanks Juanelle. That sounds like a healthy diet. Do you use a food diary or something to keep things in check? I've just gone back to using FitDay as the only way I can stay on track is to record everything.

I have been good so far this year -- well it's only three days. I've had no cookies, cake or icecream for three days and that's unusual for me. I developed bad eating habits when going through chemo -- I was eating mostly milk, bananas, ice-cream and cheese in various ways (mac and cheese, cheese on toast) -- but I still lost weight as I wasn't consuming a big volume of food. Then when I was finished my appetite started to come back but I wasn't getting enough exercise as I was so tired out from radiation and very quickly I gained the ten pounds that I lost during chemo and continued to gain. 

txstardust

Weight loss...ugh!!  I started that Special K diet last week, in an effort to kick-start myself into eating better and losing a few pounds to get some motivation.  I've done very well with it so far, all 5 days of it, haha!  I figured I should add in some exercise, so I went for a nice 45 minute walk in the park this morning.  I'm going to try to go at least 3 times a week.  

I do miss my ice cream though!  Like you, Mary, I'm a huge fan of ice cream, and it's probably the hardest part of this whole thing.  We'll see if this continues for any good length of time.  You're so right about lifestyle change being the key, Juannelle.  I remember reading that it takes 3 weeks to make or break a habit.  So if I commit to this for at least 3 weeks, it should get easier...right?   

valeriekd

Thats definitely true, one can get used to anything. I am not taking the AIs anymore so I don't eat any dairy or any meat. I lost 13 pounds over the last year on that alone. I really think for me it had to be a total lifestyle change for good. I always rebound if I try a "diet" and now i have to figure out a "permanent" exercise routine!

Gotta go into battle with onc tomorrow about the AIs - anybody else have that battle? 

micheleboots

When I eat ice cream I put it in a small coffee CUP.  The portion is small.  I find if you use a bowl the portion just grows and grows.  For me it is all about portion control.  I lost 35 pounds on Weight Watchers 4 years ago and I simply watch my portions, I don't count calories any more.

MarieK

Hi All!

Happy New Year to you - sorry I'm so late - and I can't really blame being on Pacific time!  I've just been so busy with the kids home and all their activities.

Thanks for sharing your weight loss secrets!  I too struggle with the added weight - mine is mostly "muffin top".  2 weeks ago I started taking a colon cleanser and ACAI supplements.  I've heard good things about the combination and added exercise.  I haven't noticed any weight loss but I have noticed an improvement with my BM (I know TMI).

Both my daughter and I are making a conscious effort to eat more fibre and veggies.  Sometimes we just snack on romaine lettuce - like bunnies!

I've done weight watchers and the cabbage soup diet before and had reasonable success.  The trick is keeping it off!

Juanelle are you on Tamoxifen?  I read that you are eating Grapefruit and I seem to remember somewhere about not having grapefruit while on Tamoxifen.  I don't like it but it did stick in my head - no grapefruit and no benadryl while on Tamoxifen.

It's good to reflect on how far we've come and how we are discussing diets/food/healthy eating instead of the after effects of chemo!

It's hard to believe that just a year ago I was still going through chemo and here I am now in the final countdown to my exchange surgery (Feb 3). 

We've come a long way baby!

Marie

MaryNY

Marie: funny that you should bring that up about grapefruit. I really like the ruby red grapefruit that's in season at the moment. Last year when going through chemo, I bought a full box of them in January and they were the food I enjoyed most, next to Haagen Dazs ice-cream. Then I read somewhere about avoiding grapefruit while taking Tamoxifen, but last week I saw the ruby reds again and put three in my basket without thinking. I had one three days ago and maybe it was a coincidence but I had the worst hot flashes ever that day. I wondered if the grapefruit was to blame.

Yesterday when I was at the pharmacy, I asked the pharmacist. She said she never heard of avoiding grapefruit with T, but would do some research. When I went back to pick up my Rx, she said she could find nothing about it online and had also checked with the other pharmacist who had never heard of it either. 

Oh Juanelle is on Arimidex rather than Tamoxifen. Juanelle, I'll be mailing you my extra grapefruit.

Has anyone been told by their oncologist to avoid grapefruit?

valeriekd

Don't know about grapefruit and tamox but I have thrown in the towel on AIs and now am trying tamox! I hope it works out better. My onc said it was as important as chemo. so here goes......

valeriekd

Oh you definitely can not eat grapefruit on statins (cholesterol meds). .

one-L

Ok, I have been eating grapefruit, not one every day, but I do love them.  I do take statins and didn't know I wasn't suppose to eat grapefruit.  I take my statin at night and eat the grapefruit 11 or 12 hours later.  It is too hard to keep up with everything about meds and foods interactions.  I also take Nexium with you are not suppose to take with other meds, because it will keep you from absorbing them. So I try to stagger my meds through the day.  Since I have been dieting, I haven't had to take a Nexium everyday, so that is good.  I try to take it about 8:00 am, so it will not interfere with my meds that I take at 4:30 am.

Mary, I will be waiting on the grapefruit, thanks.   

Valerie,  good luck on the tamox.  Hope you have better results.

Marie, woohoo for you.  Hope all goes well with your surgery,  it is getting closer and closer.

Michele, when I was doing radiation, ice cream was my comfort food.  There was a Chic-Fa-Lay down the street from the cancer center and I would stop every afternoon and get a large cone.  No wonder I gained 30 lbs. OMG  Now I don't get any ice cream.

Shelby, I did go out and look  up the Special  K diet after you said you were going to try it.  I haven't decided if I will try it or not.  Keep us informed of your progress.

I have lost my voice and I am not even feeling sick.  Slight runny nose, but didn't think it was serious. My DH thinks it is really funny.

one-L

Ok, so maybe I will rethink  my grapefruit after googling drug interactions.  Maybe I just don't want to take that chance.  All things good, must come to an end.  Once when my husband was told to lose some weight, the nurse was giving him instructions and her comment was "If it tastes good, spit it out", he was not amused.

MarieK

I am eating my lettuce leaves as I type this.

Juanelle I'm sorry for taking away your grapefruit I just wanted you to be aware.

It's funny you should mention that you are sick but not feeling ill. I am going through something similiar.

I have been fighting something since July.  I am a jaw clencher and most days wake up with my neck and jaw sore. 

Although I do not feel sick I have at times terrible pains in my ears and across my face.  My eyes hurt and the back of my head.

I have been working with an osteopath and she has been able to alleviate some of it with facial massage.  She feels that the jaw clenching is affecting my sinus and ears.

My sinuses are really backed up even though I don't have a runny nose or anything.

Recently I discovered Sudafed Sinus 240 mg (24 hr) and it sure does work for me.  Unfortunately, I picked this up in the USA (I'm in Canada) and I can't get it here at home.

With my pharmasists help I have found an alternative (Eltor 120 mg12 hr) and it seems to be working.  Better yet I only have to take 1 in the morning!

There is no reason to be in pain or uncomfortable - sometimes you just need to keep trying different things until you find something that works.

feistybluegecko

Thanks to Mary for answering the complicated time zone question and delighted to share New Year greetings with you all.  Yes, where is Princess Jo Jo as she would have been the first to see 2011.

I am also struggling with the weight question - but am eating carefully, swimming almost every morning and STILL I am round and heavy!  I have always been heavy but this is really getting me down

I have my next checks in a couple of weeks, so time to start getting anxious again!

Big hugs to you all

xxx

CAtharsis

Happy new year to all of you ladies! We have had a busy month of December... finally having vacation with my DH. Cruising in December (the 2 of us all by ourselves) and then skiing for Christmas (with the kids). I feel so thankful: my DH, my kids, my family, my job, my friends, my everything..!

Suz, I am truly really, really glad about the conclusion of your story. I've been reading your posts with fear and compassion. What a great Christmas gift..!

I am wishing all of you plenty of love and hugs and kisses and happiness. xx

one-L

Oh Marie, don't feel bad about the grapefruit.  Someone else had asked me about the grapefruit not long ago and I said I eat it about 12 hours after taking all my meds, so there shouldn't be a problem,  well was I wrong, drats for the grapefruit.  Thanks for making me question it again and then do some research.

I still can not talk today, they were all happy at work.  Had to do a conference call today, so I just listened with out saying a word. 

fiestybluegecko, hope all goes  well in the next couple of weeks as you get ready to have more  checks.  If it is just checkups and you are not having problems, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about, yea right.

CAtharsis, sounds  like you have really been staying busy.  It is great  that you are having this opportunity.  

Jenna1961

Hi Marie,

Did you consider using a mouth guard for your jaw clenching problem?
I have a terrible snoring issue, which is now even worse after the chemo. Snoring wakes me up frequently and my throat hurts - not to mention sleeping in separate rooms (don't ask about details). My plan is to have a mouth guard custom-made ASAP.
 Right before the  excisional biopsy / general anesthesia,  I complained to nurse about snoring problem and she said she was using a mouth guard to prevent clenching teeth.

Good sleep everyone,

Jenna

Hopbird

Hey all...

..just wanted to say Hi!  Suz hope you're getting at the yoga again.  I think anything that helps burn off energy and gets you breathing hard is important once you're used to it!

 About eating, I need to lose a few too.  I've always been told and believe that portion control is the big secret, knowing that you can eat more of something if its good for you.  Still, there are some things you just need once in awhile...and if you have them in moderation, you should have them!  One tip I saw was to save your "cheating" for late in the day and look forward to it all day.  Supposedly that keeps you from doing it two or three times a day!!  Made some sense.

Hope the year is going well for everyone! 

suz45

ooopps, no I haven't been doing yoga lately but (hmmm but always means an excuse) its been a rough month in general. We just lost a close friend to cancer at Christmas and well I spent all my spare time trying to finish my room so we could have a bit of a Christmas.

Ive spent the last two days trying to clear out the third room so I can rip up the carpet & install the hardwood... That will take me a week or two, depending on the weather. At that point I have a lot of smaller projects that need completing as well as carpeting the hallway & stairs. I'm hoping I can have this completed by spring.

I go for another bone scan on the 18th. Hopefully this will show that the cancer hasn't moved at all, but I'm a little concerned as when I got my radiation the tech said the pain in my pack should be gone in two weeks.... its over a month now and its still there??? My instincts are saying the radiation didn't do anything or else we missed it... In not going to worry though, just take it all in stride.

I talked with my onc on the phone Friday and she said they started a new trial with the PARP inhibitors, along with chemo. I was very against another round of chemo!!!!! Didn't want to go through that for a third time.... but its gemcitibine/carboplatin/PARP & called something like Inaparib. The more I think about it the more I think I should do it... I don't have any of the particulars yet as I didn't want chemo until I "had" to have it. Well as much as I dont want to play the devils advocate, I'm thinking things may not be quite as good as I was told. I do know that the PARP inhibitor is an incredible drug for triple neg that has bone mets along with the BRCA1 gene. Needless to say I will be delving into this much more seriously when I see my Onc at the end of the month.

She did say that if I missed the trial & tried to get the drug after it was passed it was going to cost me a f...n fortune, yes she dropped the f bomb. So I have to seriously look at all of this. Im not sure what sort of time it will add on to my life expectancy.. right now they are saying I have about 2 years,  Im thinking I have between 2-5 years (internal optimism) so anything we can add on to that is a good thing (knock out the downtime for chemo) Lol & I was just worried about a pair of boobs (still am)

Sorry for ranting, but it helps to write it out so I can rationalise everything. Its very hard talking about it with my dh as although Im strong I end up in tears at the thought of him and my son being alone. Ive always been the anchor here....

Time to get back to clearing all the "stuff" out of #3 room, fun fun fun

Love & Hugs Gals