Calling all TNs

dawn31337

On the other hand, I can't imagine staying idle during treatment.  Nothing to do but think about my misfortune.  I do work from home and have a desk/phone, but very technical job.  I would have been covered by sick time for a year.  

cc4npg

Happy for those who are past surgery!  Now you start healing.  Final pathology is hard to wait for.. I remember it well.  I was on pins and needles until I got that paper.  The pain killers have their own set of SE's, but are needed by some for a while.  Each person reacts different.. each heals at a different pace.  We go through Hell on earth during this process and I think sometimes we are very hard on ourselves expecting we should get over it, or deal with it, or bounce back. We wonder what we did wrong, IF we did something wrong, and question everything we're doing from diet to exercise to "positive thinking/angry thoughts causing it".  Just go easy on yourselves.  Everything you're feeling is normal.

MBJ

Suze & Becca: Glad to hear you are both doing well!

Kymn

I was just in the process of filling out my coverage from work, had recently started a new job about 3 months in when I was diagnosed so I was turned down. by boss has offered to pay for half of what I miss for up to 4 months so I kind of need to work as much as possible he is very flexible about when I will be gone though so that is good. I am hoping through the FEC part I will be able to work at least two weeks between treatment and save some of that time for the D I hear that is harder. I guess I will see what happens I know I cant push myself but its stressful not knowing if your going to have enough money coming in. Damn I hate this. Well officially one week today before treatment starts not much time to back out if I wanted to lol.

Teka

You're talking about sick leave not hospital insurance?   If so, good boss.

MBJ

Kymn:  Wow, I am so happy you have a supportive boss

Kymn

yes he is, he is paying out of pocket as I have no insurance

Teka

Is there some type of hospital insurance in Canada were everyone is covered regardless of work status?   Free health care.

Sugar77

Yes, Teka...we have provincial heath insurance and all treatment was covered (surgery, chemo, rads, onc appointments, scans, tests, etc.).  In my case, what wasn't covered was the Neulasta shot because it was prescribed and given on an out-patient basis. Fortunately, it was covered on my extended health plan from work.

Kymn

we dont automatticly get that shot in alberta a frend informed me, hoping I dont need it dont really want to add bone pain to the list

Teka

That is expensive shots.  

Sugar77

Yes, it was $3,000 per shot. Lol...I got lots of Air Miles as I purchased four times (one for each Tx) on my Air Miles MasterCard. I would then submit each bill for reimbursement from my health benefits company.

lrr4993

Kymm - that was very generous of your boss. I was in a similar situation, having been with my firm for only 9 months when diagnosed.  They told me to take whatever time I needed and there would be no reduction in my salary (which i offered).  It made things so much easier and less stressful.

Regarding the nuelasta shot, you may not need it.  I never had one.  My onco only gives them when needed.  I never ran a fever and my blood counts rebounded to normal levels every time.  I was glad as the SEs from the shot seem to be as bad as those from the chemo.  I am not sure about your age, but you look relatively young. I am 40 and was told that most women my age do not need the shot.

Good luck with your first chemo!  I am sure you will do great. 

Suze35

Kymn - I wanted to wish you luck with your first chemo. My onc gave me the Neulasta shots automatically with my AC, but my side effects weren't too bad. A little bone pain, tender skin, that's about it. I didn't get anything automatically with my Taxol/Carboplatin, but needed Neupogen shots the last five weeks. I hope it works out for you!



Babs - I'm so sorry you are still suffering pain, that is awful . It is bad enough we have to go through all this, but extra pain is even more unfair. I hope it eases up for you soon.



Fingers crossed for those of us waiting on pathology reports! I'll hear sometime after Monday...

Titan

Hmm.working during treatment..I did..went to work b-4 treatment..had my dh pick me up and take me to treatment..then went back to work after treatment...looking back now..I'm wondering why I did this but I think it was to prove to myself and others that chemo or cancer wasn't going to slow me down..I pushed and pushed myself..I had a treatment on a Wed, the next day had the nuelasta (always had to have it..even though my counts were well above normal).then went to a track meet that my son was in...got caught in torrential rains..then my son's team won their event so we had to move his grad party until later..made 50 phone calls on the way home from the meet to change the time, got home, did laundry, made dinner..and then I had..an attack..a spell.whatever..I was practically laying in my washing machine..had to actually sit down for 15 minutes until I felt better.

After..that..I decided I had better take it easy...that scared me!

Teka

I had 4 dose dense AC chemo, and 4 Neulasta shots.

Sugar77

I have four Taxotere & Cytoxan treatments with a Neulasta shot the day after each.

Kymn

I have been doing alot of reading on PARP inhibitors have any of you heard of this or are looking into this. From the sounds of things they are so close to having a targeted thearapy for us triple neg girls I cant wait to see what happens. It might already be being used in the USA I am going to ask my onc about it on wed when I see him

Anonymous

Ah PARP. They were supposed to be approved already. But the drug companies screwed big time and now everything hangs in the air for at least half a year. Too bad, this could be one of our best  (last) chances.

Huskerkkc

Hi all,

I will be starting my chemo treatments March 17, Cytoxan and Taxole. Onc said Neulasta is a must-do; at least I can do that at my hometown hospital. Chemo will be 25 miles away. I get my port Monday and also echo-cardiogram. If I "pass", I will be in a clinical trial. Am more nervous about the Neulasta than the chemo at this point. They told me they would get me prescriptions for the nausea, etc. before I go, so I'm thinking I will have them all filled and waiting. Would hate to need it in the middle of the night!  

riley702

I had the Neulasta shots automatically after my 4 AC txs, but that was because it was protocol for the clinical trial I was in.

I had the disability insurance available and I took it with no regrets. I'd paid into the system for 25 years without ever really thinking I'd need it, but was too nervous not to have it. Work provided long-term disability at 50% of my base pay after being off work 6 months. I had paid quite a bit extra to make it 60% of my base pay and to add short-term disability to cover me until I hit the 6 month mark. Along with the physical SEs, I was a mental and emotional wreck going through treatment, so was afraid I'd screw up if I did try to work.

I left work in early Feb. 2010, and my first day back is next Monday! So I've been out a little over a year. Financially, it's been a little tight, but mentally a huge weight lifted off me not having to work. I think it really depends on you and your circumstances. Some people have to work, and others would be more stressed not working, so I don't think there's one particular way to handle the work question.

Lynn18

I just noticed that today was Laurajane's birthday so I wanted to wish her Happy Birthday!  I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Teka

Huskerkkc,

Take prescription nausea medication before the start of each chemo treatment.

Teka

Happy Birthday Laurajane!!!

cc4npg

Hope you have a wonderful birthday Laurajane!!!

MBJ

Laurajane:   Happy, happy Birthday to you!  I hope that spring is visiting you today and that the sun shows itself in celebration.  Big hugs!!! 

MBJ

MonikaV:  Good luck on your exchange surgery today!

Suze35

Happy Birthday Laurajane!

Anonymous

Long morning:

7:30 Bone Density

8:00 Mammo

9:00 hair cut

11:00 Rads follow up

All good. Had to fortify myself with french pastries though... now it's nap time with puppies.

MBJ

HeidiToo:  That is a long morning.  Glad everything looks good. French pastries, mmmmmmm.