Chemo May 2013
Comments
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Kate,
Thank your cancer coach for me.
I keep trying to find that positive, sometimes it is difficult, especially with my weight gain.
If you lived close by you could shop in my garage, I have a whole bin full of items...I think there will still be "stuff" in there when my kids have kids! Lol. That's the bargain shopper in me coming through!
Pat -
Patty - that's AWESOME - good for you with the deals...
I need to do that credit card = airline miles thing. Is it hard to amass and use the miles? We want to go to England next November.
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Hello ladys -
Negatives: Feel ucky often. Lost a boob. No swimming this summer. Messier house. No money for vacations. A husband who has been in poor health for years (50% his past and current lifestyle and 50% hereditary) so there have been times while I'm not well, he has been weaker so I' m the one taking care of him. And those times he's not weaker then me, I'm the one who takes care of me.
POSITIVES: Good chance of survival. Appreciate life that much more. Overwhelmed with the prayer circles I'm on. Love this forum and
the ladys on it. Love to my core my family and they're support. Each in their own way. Take in any family get together and cherish them. In spite of my lack of energy (and wanting to give up at times) I have persevered through this cancer ordeal to change myself which ultimately changes how my husband treats me. (Have had help with weekly to biweekly therapy) and I have a ways to go. I am grateful for the lessons of life that I am receiving, my daughters are observing and it is helping to shape their lives. I am making a difference at the age of 60 in the formation of my adult children. That makes me cry for joy. I am grateful I can walk, my modest home, my friends, my family, my God.
Love and blessings - Carla
P.S. I think I will need to read my own post next week after I have chemo LOL -
Again thanks for getting me through my pity party. Seems I have more now then when going through treatment. I know this too will pass...just so awfully frustrating. Funny no one in family is as frustrated as me. Will see mo on Sept 4th and ask when fatigue will go away. Probably in time for radiation and more fatigue....lol.
Patty I hope you have a great time in Disney and thanks for reminding me that the yucky stuff isn't posted on facebook. I needed that reminder.
Lisa -
Whelp... SEs full on now....
Hurt from scalp to toes & seems like every joint, muscle & bone in-between.
Last one last one last one.... Caught myself crying because I'm trying to get Sunday fam dinner done during the day to make less work of it tonight & I stir.... Sit for a break..... Chop.... Sit for a break. At this rate I'll be cooking all day. I hate this but.... almost through it....
At times I could give a rats a$$ that it's the last time cuz it's so miserable...
In the thankful department.... The rest of the fam is visiting my least favorite in-laws today..... I wasn't even pressured to go!!
yay for SEs? Haha
I hope everyone enjoys their day today
Lorrie -
Lorrie, you are cracking me up with the in law jokes. I thinki would have skipped putting on the Sunday dinner....you are a better woman than I am! Whoever eats it better be VERY greatful! Yes, last one, last one, last one....like the little engine that could,,,chugging along until he gets there...you are almost there!
Lisa, you are turning that corner from fatigue, trust me...it will happen...baby steps though.
I was thinking of you all day and of my own journey, and I'm sure so many others think the same-our minds are able to do SO MANY THINGS....but our bodies aren't ready yet. I am thankful (thank you .carla) that I will be getting better to be able to go back to doing what I used to. I said an extra prayer today for those who are permanently physically unable to do what their minds think of.
Carla, where are you from? I'm waving from NY (well actually the airport in NY at the moment!). God Bless you for all you do for your husband and yourself. Sending hugs!
Kate....definitely get a credit card to earn your mileage. BUT, I only advise it for those who pay off their credit cards. No point racking up finance fees to try and earn mileage, it just doesn't pay. I earn jet blue points with their credit card because they fly out of NY to the handful of places I try to get to and to many places I dream of going! Check the Internet for cards with no fees, also look for one that will give you some big mileage if you charge "x number of dollars" in the first month or some such stuff.....it helps!
Well, all my planning to get the best deals on car, place, airfare etc....and God has laughed at me again. We arrived very early for our flight (because otherwise I would be a mess stressing to get to the airport) and our flight is delayed. It's okay, God and I have that understanding that nothing will ever go as planned. I'm sure he heard me thinking the "only" problem in all my planning is a delayed flight, as the car rental place closes by midnight!
Well, not to say I am having the last laugh,,,,but, I booked two different car rentals, and I called both, one of them is open 24hours! Woo hoo! Delay away! (And later I will be complaining about my cancelled flight! Lol)
So, a long time ago I learned to book with two different car rental companies (not paid, just hold) because I had a reservation with ONE company and they SUCKED and I was stuck. Now if the company I deal with sucks I can walk away and go to the next one!
Hang tight ladies!
Pat -
Lorrie-Ugh. So sorry you are going through the S.E. yuckys. Hoping you get to enjoy your family and that they help with the clean up.
Lisa- so sorry you too are feeling like crap. No one in your family is as frustrated as you because they're not going through it 24/7. I don't know how anyone could completely understand unless they've walked in our shoes. Hoping your fatigue deminishes.
Patty-Disneyland sounds wonderful. Have yourself a great time. It would be extremely wonderful if you could make it to Universal Studios and Knotts Berry Farm while you are out here on the California coast. Both those places are maybe no more than an hour from Disneyland. Depending on traffic.
Carla -
And Kate-congrats on getting through your gig and having a great time
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Carla -
Sorry Carla, it's Florida Disney I am going to.
I do plan to hit Universal as well....but I don't believe there is a Knots Berry Farm.
Would love to make it to California one day....I would need a heck of a lot of airline points to fly the family free! If I hit lotto I am buying an RV, hiring a driver and heading around the country....then I can take it ALL in without yelling at my hubby for his driving! Lol
Pat -
Never been to Disney or universal inFlorida. Traveling the country in an r.v. would be really nice. Funny about the hubby and driving. If he drives I'm a nervous wreck. If I drive he's a nervous wreck. Of course I'm the better driver
Truth is were both better and worse in different aspects. He tails gaits sometimes or waits too long to slow down if someone has stopped in front of us. I get jerky sometimes and it makes him uncomfortable.
Carla -
Patty - hope you have a great time!!! I was in Disneyworld in January to run the Marathon!! That was the last time I was there and it was a flying visit. That was BC (before cancer!).... I will revisit the credit card thing....
My kids go back to school today - my son is starting Middle school and he's excited to go back. It's been a boring summer for him.
My DD is without her cell phone as she was disrespectful to a friend of mine - and she's not impressed about that....
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Oooo... Kate... Takin the cell phone was the one thing that my girls didn't want to happen. It kept them in Aline after doing it once or twice.
Pat... I hope you have a great time with your family at the "happiest place on earth" lol... I've been to the west coast Disney/Cal Adventure, but always wanted to visit Unuversal Studios & Epcot. I hooe it's a great time.
Well, Belize is on hold now until after Rads I guess. Hubby is getting too many wells to drill to keep up with & need to take em' while they come in. Winter is his slow time & I hope to have a little hair too when we go... But I'm so bummed! I was so looking forward to postponing Rads....
Last night was the worse of all my treatments with regards to pain.... I rolled around in bed all night. Got up this morning feeling a lot less pain. Whew.... Hopefully that was the worse of it.... Gawd... It was horrible... Today feels like I'll need to stick close to the potty, but I'm okay with that. Anything but that pain again!
Happy thoughts to all!
Lorrie -
Those who have had their rads simulation.... Does the hubby go with? Or do I go by myself cuz he will just be in the waiting room for a couple hrs?
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I took him with me because I was on the table for a long time so I took pain meds ahead of time and couldn't drive.
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I was planning to go to the CT appointment for Rads by myself, maybe I will want to have someone take me too. Hadn't really thought much about it until I say you discussing it.
Get my drain out today, yay!
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GWTF... It's painful? Maybe I'll have him drop off/pick up... I only have 1 pain pill left. I better save it!
Yay Teresa! -
I went to my planning session for rads by myself. For me it was easy. Laid down, had a cat scan, three tattoos and out the door. Went back today and was on the radiology machine for a dry run. Received 3 more tattoos and some lines with markers. Maybe there for 15 minutes. I felt the tattoos....like a slight sting. The technicians who gave me the tattoos did a great job chatting so I was also distracted. I start the real radiation tomorrow. I have my teaching with the nurse tomorrow to learn about creams to use. The Dr sees me each week to check on the condition of my skin.
I typically do not bring my husband to treatment with me as he gets more anxious than I which then makes me anxious. Plus when he is anxious he does not stop talking and I like to be quiet and reflect.
Urrrr...like right now I wish he would quit talking to me so I can type......:) -
Itiswhatitis, Maybe I should exxplain more. My rads started 3 weeks after my BMX. I had cording, so raising my arm over my head was uncomfortable. Keeping it there for 1.5 to 2 hours was unbearable. My fields were complicated according to my RO, and they are very precise, having the RO check every field to make sure it's perfect.
My typical rad session was 30 minutes. Frequently it was 40 or 45 minutes, and I had several that were an hour or so.
It doesn't hurt to have the rads (you don't feel anything), but it's very uncomfortable to lay in that position on the table for much more than 20 minutes. It's hard a rock, and your arm gets achy, tired from being over your head.
It could just be because it was so soon after my surgery though.
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Interesting to read about the RADS. My Dr said that once they had me marked I would be in and out in 15 minutes. Maybe I am getting different doses or not in as many spots? I won't have any real answers for another months plus.
PS appointment was good and bad. He said my drain is still draining too much so he wouldn't take it out. Once it gets below a certain level in 24 hours I can just go in and have it removed, no appointment needed. So I guess that is good news. However he did fill my TE with 100 CC yesterday so that is good news.
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Yikes GWTF.... I'm sorry you had to endure that so quickly after surgery.... How are you doing now BTW... are you all healed up from Rads? & Thanks for popping in to answer questions!!
Just got a call from Rad/Onc to schedule my simulation. They wanted to do it next week... & I was like - ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I'M STILL SUFFERING SEs FROM CHEMO!!
Of course, they don't know any of that. So we scheduled for 9/12... at least I have a couple weeks to start to feel better first. And, they don't need to do a "contrast" injection, so that took one of my anxieties away
I hope everyone is feeling as well as they can today.
Lorrie
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I had consult with ro today. She said 20 minutes for me too. I will get a cat scan to help set the position. Wasn't expecting that. Also only 28 treatments....was expecting 35. That should occur on Sept 16th and session would be a few hours then first rad on the 23rd. Next stop checkup with mo on the 4th. Will be addressing hot flashes that are interrupting my sleep and I suppose talk about tamoxifen.
Have a good evening
Lisa -
Yikes you guys - the radiation sounds NOT fun. I'm feeling guilty that I feel so thankful to be avoiding that...
I am still waiting to hear from my PS as to when my surgery will be. I called yesterday and they called back and said they're still waiting on some type of transcription from my insurance. I'm thinking that it's doubtful it'll be next week now which sucks
Next week would've worked well for me...Today is 4 weeks post chemo and I'm still really exhausted. I wish I could get some energy back...
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Hi All. I was reading on breastcancer.org that acupuncture may help hot flashes. Had anyone tried this or no of anyone?
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Four and a half weeks since last chemo and my scalp started hurting again last night. I have lots of fuzzy hair on my head now, wondering if this means that I am going to lose it again.
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Good luck Lorrie, Lisa and Teresa with the rads. I had them 16 years ago and I found it considerably easier to tolerate than chemo. I hope you all do too. But none of this is fun or easy. I hope your energy gets better soon Kate. I also thought my energy would be higher by now, also 4 weeks post chemo. I walked my son to school today and was going at half speed. Last year that walk up hill was a lot easier. I'm finding myself depressed today as the kids go back to school and I'm left with myself and my impending double mastectomy scheduled now for October 1. I know this month is going to go by fast and I shouldn't spend it feeling depressed. Need to lose a little weight and get ready for the big surgery. Sending best wishes to all suffering side effects. Mine are down to a little neuropathy and being too hot at night. I'd like to do some more acupuncture. I'll ask if they can help with the night sweats.
Patty, I hope Disneyworld is great fun.
Carla, how is your husband doing?
Deb -
Elkatho, call and ask the acupuncturist about helping with hot flashes. I bet there is something!
Happy to report that my last chemo July 8th and I am walking all over Disney and thankfully the heat is not unbearable. I am also wearing my overstuffed backpack. Walk, walk walk, and then more walking...then waiting! Lol. The energy DOES come back. I am bypassing my hubby....so things are back to normal in that direction, but then again I always push real hard ...two nights ago I was ready to rip everyone's head off I was so tired! Lol
Doing my best to remember this trip is for the family, I am one to get up and go...they can't get out til after noon so I have been biting my tongue..this is my test for patience, yet again!
Kate, I'm also awaiting word on my surgery...insurance thing is holding me back....I really suspect it is the doctor office not asking the right questions.
Deb, now that the kids are back in school go take care of yourself. You deserve it!
Teresa, my hair is still coming out. Don't know if I should finally shave my head? Then I might be able to see if anything is growing in! Ugh!
Pat -
Pat,
I'm so happy you have your energy back.... ! I hope you are having a great time!
Frustrated tonight.. I feel like crap, but worked all day. Need to make $ cuz hubby's bday is this weekend. I hired a helicopter to take him on a flight on Sunday.
Meantime, I feel like I need to be in bed, but instead, suffering through the job, make dinner for him to come home & eat & take off to the "boys"... No thanks for dinner, & of course, no thanks for my misery cuz I don't tell him because I want his bday to be nice....
He says "you're okay, right?" ... I say "I'm fine" ... And out the door he goes! Hahaha
I guess im just having a bit of a pity party... I want so bad to be feeling better & I'm not
yet..... No more chemo so I should be 100% right? LOL..... SOON! -
Deb-My hubby is a little sore at the biopsy sight. Has had some wine tocalm himself. Will know the outcome by Friday. I'm glad we don't have to wait for the long weekend. Thanks for asking.
Today was my last chemo. Yay. Have a cold but was told to come anyway. It isn't a bad cold. When the taxatere was being injected I could feel some of the S.E.s starting. Normally I feel better. They couldn't get my pic line out so I was sent to outpatient. The radiologist tech couldnt get it out either. The doctor had already gone home, so I go back to the hospital outpatient tomorrow.
Lisa-nice that you are going to be getting fewer rads.
A good evening and tomorrow to all - Carla
Pat, so glad your energy level is. Hope it stays up for you. -
Carla,
I'm sorry for the damn picc line... She failed me in the end too! I hope ot goes smoothly tomorrow.
Hair! I have some dark lookin things on my head along with the white fuzz I've had....... Is my hair growing back? I had my last treatment 6 days ago.......... I've noticed for a couple days now..... -
Hello ladies,
Its sounds like you are having fun Patty! Good for you. I am glad your energy is back. I also had my last chemo on July 9 and my energy is increasing as well.
Carla congrats on your last chemo! Hope your hubby is ok.
I hope all undergoing rads are having very few side effects.
Itiswhatitis, congrats on getting that picc out! It will be a big spirit lifter for you.
Well girls today is my day for exchange surgery. I wont lie I am 50% excited and 50% not. I am just getting energy back and feeling well on a day to day basis and whammm another surgery, more pain and more pills! On the up side the Tamoxifen is causing few side effects, some hot flashes and sweats but only at night, 3 weeks in. Some days I feel like a science experiment! Anyone else?
Hair is coming in dark and gray mix. My head looks like I have a short crew cut, can still see my scalp through the hair in a few places. The new hair is very soft. It started prickly, went like peacy fuzz, then soft hair. Hair everywhere else is back! Eyebrows are lagging behind a bit ugh.....but are there, very light.
When oh when will humpty dumpty be put back together again!
Hope everyone has a good day today!
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