April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Melrosemelrose

Thanks, claireaz!!!!  You definitely have helped me get through chemoland.  I know you have earned your combat medals, too!!!!  Again, thanks for supporting and showing us that we can get through this and be stronger when we are done!!!  HUGS to you!!!

Pkate

kliberty and melrose - I'm going to be 57 on 9/20.   My last weekly taxol is Wednesday the 8th and I can't wait after so many delays.  My husband and son are out of town on a scout trip for another 11 days so they will miss the excitement of the day but I'll have a friend with me.  Good to know about the SE hanging on.  I've been fatigued this weekend but kept pushing myself as you did.  I have so many projects to do when I get my energy back after these last 4 months of hanging out fighting cancer.

Best of luck everyone in the chair this week

kjiberty

Dance:  thanks:  I have an appt. (annual pap) on 10/1.  I will be discussing all of the above with my gynie.  

kjiberty

Pkate and Melrose:  I just wanted to let you know at 5 weeks PFC, ( and 8 rads down) I feel almost "normal" again.  Ran a bunch of errands with a friend today, did 5 loads of laundry, stripped 3 beds, cleaned out two closets, made dinner, and ironed for an hour (all of which, BTW, I hate doing).  I have out of town company coming tomorrow and my house (and mind) has been a state of disarray.  I love having my energy back.  I am sure with more rads, I will lose some of it, but it makes me appreciate how much I love living!  You will be there soon!  Good luck this week!  

PS:  My b-day is 09/16.  My son's wedding is 9/15.  Rads end 9/10.  September is a big month for me!

Melrosemelrose

To everyone in the BCG this week:  Wishing easy times for all and minimal side effects!!!!

To everyone in the BCG this week for the last and final chemo:  Wishing all of us easy times, minimal side effects and special "Yahoo!!!! We did it!!!!"  I will be ringing that bell very loud when I finish on Tuesday and doing the happy dance!!!! I will be PFC the afternoon of August 7, 2012 and celebrating the end of my chemo and knowing I don't have to have rads.

To everyone who hasn't finished chemo yet:  I will continue to support each of you and plan to celebrate with each of your PFC day with a happy dance and a loud YAHOO!!!!   I'll continue to be in the BCG every 3 weeks to receive my Herceptin until April 2013.   As I have always said--- we leave no one behind and we are stronger together.  Don't plan to leave this thread until we are all done and say it's time to say goodbye to this thread.

To those who are PFC: Thank you for sharing and letting me know there is life after chemo.  I can hardly wait to start my recovery from the chemo.

Special shout out to my gal pals here who have supported and helped me get through chemoland.  I never ever felt that I was ever alone for one moment while on this part of my journey.  I can never thank you enough for the wonderful comraderie and words of kindness and strengthen. 

So tomorrow begins the steroids (oh boy.... can hardly wait to be a night owl for a few nights.... lol) and a nightly dose of benedryl to get some sleep.  I'll be back here for sure on Tuesday after I'm done with my chemo.

spicedlife

Melrose- I am with you this week in the celebration, just two days after you!

Melrosemelrose

YAHOOO, jennryjd!!!!!  OMG.... this is definitely going to be a week of celebrations and happy dances!!!!!  It will be you, me and Pkate this week ringing that bell, dancing the happy dance and celebrating being PFC!!!!!  I anticipate some tears of joy and relief Tuesday afternoon but can hardly wait!!!!!

Marcia1111

Karen - You look amazing!  I hope I look as young as you when I am turning 57 in 5 and a half years!  Melrose - I haven seen your picture, but I'm sure you are as beautiful outside as you are inside!!!!

winter_flower

hi all, thanks for your replies.

I had a terrible time after my 2nd AC. Went to the ER and ended up spending 2 days in the hospital. My sodium level dropped a lot, but WBC jumped to 16 with netrophils jumping to 15 (w/o neulasta shot). O_O Doctors suspected infection, but didn' find any in bladder or chest x ray. after a day everything stabilized, but I'm still puzzled why did it happen and how to avoid it from happening during the next chemos?

Melrosemelrose

winter_flower- Sometimes the side effects just appear from the chemo from what seems to be nowhere.  Unknown infections just show up.  I had a high spikey fever/chills episode the last day of nadir after my 2nd round.  I don't know where it I picked it up but I did.  Fortunately, the antibotics that my onco called in for me and took, prevented me from a visit to the ER and a hospital stay.  One thing I do is keep track of my food/liquid intake so I will know what I ate and when.  It helps me know if I'm eating enough right foods so my diet is well balanced.  I also have a toothbrush sanitizer that I use to make sure that toothbrush is as germ free as I can get it.  If you don't have one, you can put your toothbrush in the dishwasher to clean it.  I also wash my hands a lot.  I'm a bit of a germaphobe these days and just careful.  After that fever/chills episode, I now receive a Neulasta shot the day after my chemo round.  My onco prescribes the Neulasta shot only after it is clear that one needs the WBC boost with the Neulasta.  I haven't had any more infections of unknown origin since then.  I don't know if you are receiving your A/C every 3 weeks or dose dense every 2 weeks.  If you receive it every 2 weeks, you may still be in nadir when you head into your next chemo round.  Hang in there.....   

Melrosemelrose

Marcia1111-  Thanks  You made my day!!!!!  Haven't posted any photos but may get brave one of these days.  When my 21 yr old daughter and I are together and out and about, people ask us if we are sisters.  Maybe it's really because we are having way too much fun and laughing and not acting like we are mother daughter.

Hortense

I am three weeks past my final treatment and getting better each day. My taste is returning and for that I am grateful. Tea is finally tasting better, though I can't enjoy fresh cherries yet which is disapointing. They taste funky.

I still get tired more easily than I used to and I have a degree of water retention that makes me a bit heavier than usual and my feet look plump which I don't like as I am usually slim. The nurse said to keep my feet elevated and even sleep with a pillow under them so that's what I have been doing and it is helping. I go for radiation simulation on Friday. That should be interesting.

I am so impressed by those of you who are out walking miles. I am clearly a slacker.

kjiberty

Hortense:  Don't be so hard on yourself.  I went back to the gym for the first time since my dx in January 2 weeks post chemo.  I am glad I did.  I know I need to do this for myself in order to stay healthy.  Gool luck with your simulation.  It will be quick and easy.

Melrose and Jenny:  Good luck this week!  I am excited for you.

Marcia:  You are tooooo sweet.  Thank you so much.  YOu are beautiful too.

Winter:  I hope you feel better soon! 

Melrosemelrose

Thanks, Karen!!!!!  Sending you lots of HUGS for the great support you still give to all!!!!  I'll be thinking about you and everyone else as I ring that bell loud and shed a few happy tears when I leave the infusion center tomorrow afternoon!!!  Good luck with the rads tomorrow and hope your energy level stays high. 

kjiberty

Melrose:  Hugs and happy tears (yes, I am crying as I am typing this).  Thanks for thinking of me too!

dancetrancer

melrose and jenny - so psyched for you guys to be finishing this week.  This journey that seems to have started eons ago finally is nearing the end for you guys!  

Melrosemelrose

THANKS KAREN & DANCETRANCER!!!!!!  Can't tell you how much all of your support and kind words mean to me..... I know I've been able to spend time in chemoland, laughing and smiling, ranting and raving, sharing and chatting with some of the best people I have ever met!!!!!!!  Everyone has helped me thrive through my journey and not just survive!!!!  I set a pretty high goal for myself when I got my diagnosis last February--- I wanted to stay positive, do whatever I needed to do to get healthy and stay healthy and thrive throughout my journey.  I'd say that goal continues to be met with everyone's support and help.  So tomorrow when I ring that bell in the afternoon and say out loud that I did it, it really means I'm ringing that bell for all of us and saying that we said we can do this, we are doing this and we have done this time in chemoland.  HUGS to all!!!!

spicedlife

I just love you gals!  You are all rockstars!  Me too!

bcbarbie10

Melrose and jenny, so happy for you two, and for all of us as well! We're all doing this, no matter how hard and rough. We will all make it through!!!

Husker123

Yay for Melrose & Jenny! Such a good day! Hope everything goes well and minimal SE's for you.

Stacie

Such great news Melrose and Jenny! Such a great feeling I know. What a long road too. You will gather your strength quickly.

Melrosemelrose

Thanks, Stacie & Husker123!!!! It is a wonderful feeling to be PFC.  Now it's time to recover from the chemo and get moving on with my life.  I got to ring the bell this afternoon and wore my sparkly tiara during my infusions.  That tiara brought smiles to everyone who came by to check on me to day.  Had to make this last one fun.  So now I'm going to spend the next few weeks going through the routine side effects and watch my hair start growing back.  Today just feels so liberating and like I've been released my chemo obligations and responsibilites.  Thanks again for all of the support and well wishes!!!!!

LyndaMarie

Hi all-

I have been absent for awhile. So many happy events! Congrats Melrose and Jenny!!!! I face the BGC Thursday and then two weeks later is my last one also. It is coming up quickly! Tonight I am happy dancing for you!

I spent some time catching up. I have read some entries since my last post but have been either exhausted or busy. I have been pushing myself to not be on the computer when my kids (11,9,7 yr old) are awake as I can easily ignore them when what they really need is extra loving. AC number 2 went smoothly. The blood transfusion after AC1 did its job and my hemoglobin was up from 7.4 to 11.7. A quick shout out for packed red cells! They work when you really need them. Hopefully none of you will need them! AC 2 was kinder and while I was exhausted, it was better.

Right now we are trying to settle the issues surrounding AC3 and the week and a half that follow. My DH has a trip for work and my sister and mom are planning to drive to my home in MN and drive me and my kids, back in our van, to MI on Sunday. I will stay there until Tuesday two days before my final chemo and then drive myself back when I feel better. Small problem has arisen. The driver side seat of our van has broken and it is not safe to drive. The part to fix it must be ordered, will take a week at least and will cost $2000. And that is just for the part. My DH can install it. Now we are trying to figure out options. It is frustrating that it is not working out easily and seriously $2000?... What would it cost to replace the whole seat?

My mom has to get back to MI for my dad who is terminally ill and has hospice care and my sister has to get back to work. They can't just stay in MN. We have a Jetta that I drive for work [cute, red, V6 stick shift with a sun roof] but my sister is not sure she is comfortable with a stick shift and it would mean my 11yo son in the front seat on the way home. He is still a bit young for that to be safe. Would really appreciate positive thoughts as we try to work it all out.

Well. hope you are all having a great night. Special thoughts to you Melrose as you begin the climb out of the final chemo infusion today. Congratulations and keep climbing this one last time!!!

Melrosemelrose

LyndaMaria- Thanks for the well wishes; I appreciate the kind words and support I receive from everyone!!!

Sorry to hear about the car situation.  Perhaps you might check into renting a van for a week rather than trying to worry about getting your van fixed in a short period of time.  You can probably check on line on car rental sites and get a good deal since you are renting for at least a week.  Some fo the car rental places have pretty good deals for long term van rentals.  Hope this helps a little with your dilemma.  Hope you are taking care fo yourself.  HUGS!!!!

kjiberty

Good idea, Melrose.  Good to hear from you again, LyndaMarie.  Hope your last two treatments go well, and try to have a nice trip to Michigan--my home state I love and miss!

nofear2012

Just wondering if anyone has gotten to a point where they are no longer taking s sleeping pill. I take 1 mg of Ativan at night & want to stop. Has anyone else done this if so how hard was it?

RoulaG

Hello ladies - I have been off for quite a while dealing with my dad's and my own issues. I hope that I can read up on all the posts that have been written - but who am I kidding, I can't keep up with the meds I need to take.



Tomorrow is my last TCH - yep the last one! So excited and nervous at the same time. As for rads - I need to have them if I don't have BMX. I am really leaning toward the later. I felt a pain in my left breast (opposite breast from bc) and it really freaked me out. I have an appointment tomorrow with my onc and I will be asking her about the pain.



Nofear - I took myself off ambien and Xanax, however I still take the Lexapro daily. I have a very addictive personality and I am terrified of becoming addicted to all these meds. I am the woman who was making fun of the "poor souls" playing the slots at the Vegas airport while waiting to board their plan - well needless to say I almost missed the plane on the way back from Vegas.

DH - "they are going to leave without us!"

United - "last call for so and so"

Me - "Come on George one more pull this is the one, I can feel it!"

Melrosemelrose

RoulaG-Yahooo!!!!!  Last chemo for you and then you will be officially PFC!!!!!  Yesterday was my last chemo and it was a time of great joy and happy tears for me.  I rang that bell at the infusion as loud as I could and a lot for me, for my family and everyone here since we all have reason to celebrate for making it this far on our journeys together!!!!  Hope you have an easy time in the BGC chair for the last time and minimal side effects.  Now on to the next part of the grand adventure for you!!!! HUGS!!!!

dancetrancer

nofear - I've weaned myself off Restoril, but it wasn't easy.  Lots of sleepless nights, mostly b/c of the terrible hot flashes I'm having.  I got a small fan and have it blasted right on me and also I think the flashes MAYBE are getting a bit better, so overall I am sleeping better (waking up only 2 or 3 times vs 5 or 6 times!).  However I still have an odd night of really poor sleep now and again.  Woke up last night and made the mistake of looking at the clock - 2:30 a.m.  Ugggh.  I had thought it must be close to alarm time, boy was I wrong...not much sleep after that.  But, in general, I have weaned off and am doing much better.  

Huge congrats Roula on your last TCH!!!  

kjiberty

Roula: congrats!