Starting Chemo March 2015

Jackbirdie

Allison - sux that you hate your MO. You don't need THAT annoyance.

One of my nieces just said she thinks she can come back for 4 days right after my last infusion. Keeping my fingers crossed. I've gone from independent and strong woman tohuddling mass. Accepting any and all charity.

Trvler

What day are you done?

Jackbirdie

June 25 if no delays.

BTW did anyone herd if Indygal's platelets were ok and she was able to go ahead today? She had been delayed a week also.

eheinrich

Today's positive - actually I have 2. #1 after all this chemo bs I finally feel good again. #2 I bought a cheap, gnarly looking desk at the thrift store. I'm pretty sure I can make it pretty again. That is today's task, to start. The desk (actually table) I am using is really just too big to have in my sewing room. I love my house but the guest bedroom/sewing room are much smaller than I am used to. It's hard to cut stuff out w/ such little floor space (I'm a big floor sitter). When the desk is done I'll put before & after pictures on my upcycle blog (shabby2sassy.com - if anyone is interested).

I was thinking after treatment is done for us all should we do a closed facebook page to keep up w/ each other?

molly1976

I had the same thought re: facebook, Eileen!

I love that kitten, Katy. We are having lots of problems with our epileptic cat and swearing up and down we will never get another kitten but dang, they are so cute.

eheinrich

I'm thinking about looking for a nice dog who likes cats and has been in a shelter for a longish time.

Jackbirdie

Eileen I am so encouraged by you! I love that you feel like starting new projects and I love the FB idea too. Gonna check the link now.

Well done, GF!

Molly, so sorry about your kitty. Animals bring such joy and such pain. I haven't had a cat for many years. I'm well aware this could have been a really bad mistake. I'm grateful it seems to be working out.

Jackbirdie

E- just looked at it. So professionally done!!!! Really liked the boring wall treatment.

I love old furniture, old wood, repurposing etc. I would love to find a big old barn door like I had once that I used for cutting and quilt prep. Of course it wouldn't fit in this house. But hopefully I'll get more space someday soon. And the energy to go along with it.

Trvler

I think the FB is a good idea, too. I am a member of one for the NOLA group. It is helpful.

wpmoon

Molly - my cat is epileptic too! I've never heard of anyone else's cat having that problem until now.

eheinrich

Thanks Katy! I used a service that I pay $5 a month to keep up. They have templates & such to help you. There are a few features I wish were there that aren't but there you go. Fortunately the desk actually just needed a bit of scraping and cleaning. Not quite a re-do, but yay I can re-do my "office" today/tomorrow - it's a crazy mess.

If I could figure out a way to do it (and develop mad skills) I would love to refinish and create stuff and sell at some vintage mkts. Now that I'm ok I want to experiment. I bought most of the furniture I needed (a bunch of stuff I took from our house) at thrift stores & yard sales when I moved, I redid the dining room chairs & need to hone skills before tackling the table.

Be well everyone

Carrie37

I think the Facebook group is a great idea! Allison, what is NOLA? Sorry if you've already said.

Thinking of you Diane! And anyone else in the chair! Katy, I hope you are feeling better soon.

molly1976

Whitney! OMG. Feline epilepsy is SO rare. What medication is yours on? We are going to have to switch to something else because right now he's getting Keppra three times a day and it's killing me.

Lovemylab

Taxol #2 done today ....,only 10 more to go. With herceptin of course but that is a breeze. They premed me with Benadryl and steroids but I really do not want to take the at home steroids. They make me feel crazy and like I just want to eat!!! So far no big D so that is good! Starting to feel like I should go back to work. I am obsessing about a recurrence at home. The taxol dropped my hgb from 11 to 9.9 in just one week. Whites are ok though. Just when my hgb was on the rise from low of 9 when I was in hospital with PEs. Maybe work would take my mind off this. I may just get too tired and regret going back though. All I know is this cancer is making me crazy!!!

Positive; my perennials are so pretty!

Katy...love the Tutti / Jack pics. Everyone; wigs should be outlawed when it hits 90 like now. I don't wear anything anymore on my bald head. If someone is uncomfortable, I just don't care. Too bad.

Maureen

Trvler

Carrie: No worries. NOLA is the hospital in New Orleans that specializes in flap reconstruction surgery. It's all they do and they are very highly regarded. Let me know if you want me to post a link if you are interested.

slothabouttown

Here's what I'm thankful for today. I had an appt with my RO, for my standard weekly check in. While I was there the hospital social worker came in and said she is here for me to talk about the stress or anxiety or depression that accompanies this diagnosis and treatment. As we talked and I explained what I'd been dealing with emotionally and how I was processing the sandwich, she commended me for being so insightful and realistic and "together" about it all. she said I was way further along than most women going through this process. Of course I told her about this group and about what a basket case I'd been at times and how reading and posting with smart women working through the same catastrophic life changes had been the support I needed and I felt much more steady and calm as a result of that support. Driving home I thought about how this surprise visit from a social worker was the first indication that my hospital had considered my mental health at any point in my treatment. I am six months down this road! I'm afraid to think about the shape I'd be in now without this forum. So, I'm thankful for the March chemo group and thankful for the BC.org moderators and everyone who keeps this site running. I can't imagine going through this time in my life without it, and I'm sure there are countless other women who feel the same.

Jackbirdie

Sloth- How very nicely put. And you deserve the accolades you got from them because you have always been there, with your wicked and (sometimes) self-deprecating sense of humor, your relentless support, sparkly eyes and smile, and overall you've been a great wingman for each and every one of us when we needed it.

I'm glad you got that positive feedback and that they took the time to tell you that they care about every part of you. Not just your boobs and your hair.

As I've also said many times along the way, I know I would not be in one piece without all of you. Very grateful tonight I found you, and bco. And I do do appreciate that the mods have been lenient with our occasional potty mouth. You know. When just no other word would do.

Meme117

Sloth totally agree! I think I'd be depressed if it weren't for this group and I'm a very positive person, at least before cancer. I like how someone came to talk to you, better late than never.

Maureen good for you with the no wig, I just can't seem to do it. I'm not bald but peach or grey/brown fuzz and it's just too strange for me to look at.

E I love the idea of a Facebook group and I love your blog. Do you Pinterest? Right now I'm into garden glass projects.

Katy the photo is great. I remember how our cat would egg on our dog, hysterical.

I finally took a nice walk today, my stomach is calming down. My whine is I am only 3 f-in days from being half of a 100, bleh!

My positive is today I received 10 different birthday cards from different chemo angels, women from across the country, so amazed at their generosity.

Meeting with BS tomorrow to schedule surgery next month.

rleepac

My positive for the day is that all 10 chicks found each other and are hangin out with my other hens just fine. The hens don't adopt them but they don't pick on them either so that's good.

Positive #2 is more hair growth

Carrie37

I completely agree that this group has gotten me through very tough times and will continue to do so. Most definitely a positive in my book!

Bekah! Yea for hair!!

I too have never gone fully bald. Some peach fuzz and other spots of color. It's silly looking! 😂😂 over the last two days I have really noticed an annoying pain under my nails. It feels like my nail beds are bruised but there is no discoloration. Anyone have this or know what it might be?

Carrie

rleepac

I get that pain in my nails too. Mine feels like I have paper cuts right where the nail meets the tip of the nail bed. I've been using tea tree oil and it seems to help some.

ksusan

That's our friend the Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) or its synthetic version. It targets dividing cells, so it can be hard on nail beds. Keep your nails short, use tea tree if you wish (I do), and moisturize the nails and toes. I've been slathering my toes with moisturizer, then wearing socks that don't pull. Be aware that this effect can continue beyond chemo, as long as you can see horizontal lines/ridges or discolored nail, so keep up on aftercare!

wpmoon

Molly - Maggie is on Phenobarbital. Not sure the dosage, but she gets half a pill twice a day. It's easy because I just pill her when I feed her. It's become a routine, and she's always been really good about taking the pill - I just pop it in her mouth!

I'm noticing an increase in tingling in my feet and hands, despite taking B6 to try to prevent neuropathy.

Today I also noticed an increase in my anxiety. I think it's because Monday is my last chemo. People keep asking if I'm excited, and in a way, I am. But I'm also really terrified of the next steps - radiation and tamoxifen, perception for a year, and then after that worried about not being in active treatment and just living in fear.

wpmoon

ps here's a pic of the calendula cream for anyone interested. Not sure where my ka friend got it from but she swore it worked amazing for the radiation burns.

IndyGal35

My platelets were over 200 yesterday, so I was able to get chemo #5. What a rebound! They had to cut my taxotere and carboplatin doses by 15% and 17% respectively due to the neuropathy and hearing loss I'm experiencing. My onco told me that he still believes I'm receiving enough and that, despite my tumor size, he is still very optimistic about clear margins and even a PCR after seeing my mid-point US. My MUGA will be later this month. Hope you got your chemo too, Diane, since we are now chair buddies!

I love the idea of a Facebook page. I also hope everyone still updates here on occasion. We already have many followers from later chemo groups that are getting support and learning from us. That feels very uplifting!

I've also considered going to the nipple tattooist in NOLA, Allison. He works primarily out of there and Baltimore, and he is world renowned for his amazing work. One of the gals on the panel I went to on Monday had GAP surgery down there. Her insurance covered it since she couldn't find anyone local, and her SO's room and board was complimentary. Let me know if you'd like her contact info. Your surgery plans are different, but I'm sure she'd be willing to share her opinions on the staff and quality of care.

Where do I go to add my name and a blurb line to my posts? I've tried for months and can't figure it out.

KBeee

Allison, If your MO is that bad, consider changing. It is awkward at first, but this is a person who will be following you for the nex 5-10 years. My former MO was bad durng my chemo in 2013 and blew things off (landing me in the hospital) but the last straw was when I came to him wit a new lump and asked foran ultrasound. His response, "you are not at risk for recurrence. If it goes from a grape to a golf ball call me, otherwise stop worrying." That was after other rude remarks and blowing stuff off. He was obviously wrong since I am here again, but my current MO is fabulous. He totally takes things seriously, he is very observant, caring, and he just gets me. Such a better fit.

Bekeh, Your hair is coming in so full!!!!! Nice!

Sloth, Nice that they care about your mental health too.

Meme, Happy early birthday. I am 5 years behind you, but especially after my recurrence, I do not dread birthdays anymore. I realize what a priviledge it is to get old and just hope I am lucky enough to get to 50...and beyond.

Happy Wednesday to all.

Trvler

I will considering changing MO's. I wish they had another one at the place by my house but I realize now that they don't let you change doctors in the same facility. I went for a consult to one BS there, didn't like him and saw another there. The second one basically told me the first guy was going to treat me if I came there. He told me he was a better doctor but that was just his way of saying it. I thought the guy was terrible. He totally disregarded my ILC diagnosis and recommended a lx after which I had further imaging, found more cancer and was totally sure the mx had been the right decision all along. He absolutely would have had to go back in again and do a mx.

DavisD

Great pic Katy!

Trvler

It is a beautiful warm day here today. VERY thankful. I am getting a free massage and the cancer wellness center today and I have an appointment with a therapist today to help with my kid issues.

Jackbirdie

Allison- sounds like you have a very positive and purposeful day today. I'm glad the sun is out for you and you're doing several good things for yourself. But I have to ask......what is a tree massage? Or now that I'm using my noodle, maybe it was meant to be free massage... Teehee. I see now it us free. My eyes are watering up a storm today

Indy- I PMd you to tell you how to add your name to your signature line. So glad you got back on track yesterday. I know that was very important to you! I agree it is very gratifying to know that in any small way we are able to help those coming on behind us. So many have reached out their hand to me. Never could have made it this far without that help. Sometimes when I am really down I lurk and troll in the just dxd and worried section. If I can find one small thing to encourage someone, it makes me feel a bit better. Even on the darkest days.

Happy Birthday Maryellen and Karen- I know it's not the day you dreamed of, but I know you will look back with such pride at making it through this difficult time so gracefully. You may not think you are so graceful. But I admire you both so much for the grit and positivity you haveboth shown, in the face of the .....SHIT SANDWICH!!!

Hope everyone does ok today. We are all at such a critical juncture. I am so grateful today for those in this group who have rung the bell and are looking back cheering us stragglers on. It's making me cry to think it right now. I feel so. Very. Grateful