Starting Chemo March 2015

ninjamary

BB thanks! BTW I love your action plan. I'm going to follow it! I just found our plan description book and they do owe me money. At least $140. My endrocronologist owes me $20 and I have a pediatrican visit on Thursday so I'm ready for that $20 co-pay fight. I also received a bill for something that was done on 01/20 and 01/26. Of course there is no description but they have my charge and insurance payments with adjustments and they are asking for another $103. I don't think so. They made an agreement with my insurance provider. I don't have to pay anything over that. Tomorrow I'm printing off every insurance schedule of benefits that is online and looking for more money owed to me. I love that we have great health care coverage in the states, but I feel like I'm getting jacked up every time I go to the doctor. $20 here and there adds up.

Molly...I wish my prescriptions went to my out-of-pocket cost. I'd be saving a lot of money. You are lucky!

Jackbirdie

Ninja- YOU GO GIRL!!!!

shaz101

katy. I need to cuddle your kitten. So gorgeous

shaz101

Lee, I'm thinking of you. I also found the surgery (s) the easiest part. I hope your experience is the same.

Whitney. I'm glad you're taking leave. You certainly sound like you need to catch your breathe.

Im at the neurologist. 😊 hopefully they can help with the migraines.

Sue, it's probably a good idea. He is a nice man. I just don't feel like I want to continue. So I feel terrible because he has been good through all of this. We have only been together 2.5 years. Maybe I should wait until life returns to normal before making any decisions.

Katy how are you going?

Have a lovely day/night everyone.

Trvler

I hope the neurologist can help you, Sharon.

Trvler

I have been going to a 'stress reduction' class at the Cancer Center. I think maybe I told you about it. It is really just a relaxation/meditation thing but I love it. I think I fall asleep.

wpmoon

we're in this together!

...and nonexistent.

Also, I got this awesome shirt from one of my chemo angels today.

Jackbirdie

Allison I am so glad you are taking advantage of that program. It must be working if you're falling asleep during!

IndyLee and Shaz too, here are some pics for virtual snuggling. Lee I have got your hand tight. Not letting go.

I have still a lot of pain, maybe Neulasta/Taxotere cocktail, but I'm staying well-distracted with these two, and thoughts of the future in our new home.

Whitney- really cute funny shirt and meme! We ARE in this together

IndyGal35

Thank you all so much for the words of wisdom and support. Somehow, when words are failing everywhere else, you all seem to know exactly what to say.

I'm pounding water like crazy since my surgery isn't until 1:00 EST tomorrow, and I know I'll be thirsty. I'm going to wait as late as possible to take an Ativan in the hopes that it will give me an ounce of comfort when I get up tomorrow.

The waiting is always the absolute worst part of all of these crappy treatments. It just breeds more worry. I keep thinking that this will be behind me in 24 hours, and the road to recovery (and rads) will be one step closer.

pboi

Lee- you are in my thoughts tonight. And yes in 24 hours the surgery will be all done. Hoping you will have a speedy and uneventful recovery.

PB

Italychick

Lee, thinking about you and hope the surgery goes well. This too will pass. I know it doesn't seem like it today with the upcoming surgery tomorrow, but it will. Best of luck. We need a sister chant or something for these times so we can all say the chant while one of our sisters is going through a hard time.

Whitney, one day at a time. And maybe a trip to Panera? Thinking about you too, just don't know the right things to say except hang in there. From reading other forums, eventually the anxiety we seem to all feel does subside. And life goes back to normal. Remember, a very short time ago we were all starting chemo and scared shitless, and now it is almost done for everybody.

As for statistics, I have been thinking about what everybody has posted about recurrence and worry. I am just going to keep my head up and remind myself everyday that most women get through this crap and never have a recurrence. And we have all done whatever we could to ensure that doesn't happen.

Hugs to all my sisters going through a hard time, whether physically or emotionally. You guys mean so much to me that there are no words. I talk about each of you all the time. My husband knows everyone of you, and so do my kids and my friend Cheryl. I don't know what I would have done without each of you.

Carrie37

Very well said Theresa! I echo all of it!

Jackbirdie

PB- how is your surgery recovery going? Is having your mom there helping?

Thinking of you

Trvler

Lee: Sending you all the best surgery vibes and a big hug!

Katy, SHE always knows what to say.

ninjamary

Theresa - that was perfect. I'm going to try to keep that attitude once this crap is over. I'm already planning (planning....not doing quite yet....love my cookies!) dietary changes, exercise schedules etc. I want to be obsessed with something else for once!

eheinrich

Wow- a lot has gone on the past few days. Hang in there ladies. Lee: I'm sending you hugs and keeping you in my thoughts today. Whitney: so glad you are taking leave.

Sharon: I hope the neurologist can help and it might make sense to delay major life decisions during this crazy time, although I'm not a good follower of my own advice so.....

We had a mostly nice 4th of July at the lake. Younger daughter & her boyfriend were in town. She's such a ray of sunshine PS consult today. Need to officially decide foob or half-flat. If I'm going to have more surgery it needs to be now as I need to get the job search back up and running and return to some semblance of normalcy.

Is it weird that while I was away I missed you guys?

Meme117

Good morning from sunny PA - my last day of chemo, yippie-ki-ah mother humper!!

So glad to be down with all the drugs, will move onto only herceptin

Here we are, husband, bestest cousin, and me - will be having a big cocktail later by the pool😛

Jackbirdie

Maryellen- CONGRATULATIONS!!. YOU ARE DONE!!!

Glad you have your husband and cousin there to ring the bell with you!

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🏆🎉🎉👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🔔🎉🎉🔔🔔🔔🔔🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

🍸🍸 (cocktails forthem, you better be a good girl a few more days!)

slothabouttown

Mary Ellen congrats! Looks like a party at the chemo salon! Enjoy your after treatment celebration, things get better from here out!

You had asked about benadryl for dogs earlier, my dogs are 40 and 60 pounds and I give them each a regular adult tablet to take the edge off on the fourth. The thunder shirt has made the biggest difference for my border collie though, it really helps her cope with the noise phobia.

Eileen, I miss this group too when I'm not able to check in for a few days. There's so much relief to be found in the validation we give each other that our fears and worries are normal and the support from others who are being there and doing that can't be replicated by anyone else! And now it's so rewarding to see everyone finishing chemo and getting through the next phase and working back up to speed. What a surreal six months.

And Lee, can't wait to hear from you once you're home and enjoying the benefit of some hefty painkillers. We're all thinking of you today, soldier.

Jackbirdie

Lee- Ongoing thoughts of strength and calm for you this morning. Hugs and mojo all around you

Jackbirdie

E- I miss you too when you're away.....good luck at your consult today. Listen to your gut after you get all the info. There can be no wrong decision for YOU

ninjamary

Maryellen - Yea!!!!! Everyone looks so happy in that pic. Love it!

eheinrich

Hooray Maryellen!!!

Carrie37

Congrats Maryellen!!

Lovemylab

Hi all

Finished taxol #6/12 today. Half way done with Taxol, then just Herceptin q 3 weeks til June of 16! Ugg. I feel like putting my lab Oliver in my car and heading to boise ID to get my daughter who turns 28 today and then driving to the Oregon coast on 8/19 ( day after last chemo)! I hear the off leash areas are awesome !!! I need a reward for all this yuk! Keep feeling like I'm not brave enough to do it, but hey, if I can survive all this , I can do anything!!!! Even 30 hrs in a car, ea way, with a dog. . Heck I wouldn't have to be back for three weeks...til next herceptin.

Congrats to all you ladies who are done... So jealous. I can relate to all with a lack of eye bros and lashes as well as body hair. And no, my head hair is not coming back so not posting any pics!

Maureen

Jackbirdie

Maureen- I'm on the Southern Oregon Coast! if you and your daughter don't mind sleeping on the big L sofa, you are welcome! And the doggie! I'll show you some awesome off leash beaches. Jack will be your guide.

Only date restriction is: My brother and SIL are coming from Philly 7/16-7/21. But it's a standing invite. You sure could use a break.

Getting halfway through anything that starts with T should be celebrated. It must be difficult looking ahead to a year of H. Hope it will be kinder to you.

Just remember. You have options.

Jackbirdie

my smartass friend come to keep me company today. He tries to eat out of the little birds' feeder and it starts to swing like it's in a tropical storm. Then he falls off. Makes me laugh. Then he comes back the next day and does it again. Lots of smiles to be found in nature.

pboi

Lee- thinking positive thoughts for you right now. By the time you see this surgery will be all done and you will be relieved it is over!

Congrats Maryellen!!! 🎉

I am thankful recovery from my thyroid surgery has gone well. Not much pain, little trouble swallowing, and hoarse voice (which my kids are loving, since I can't yell at them anymore...lol). I only had about 5 days from my surgery to radiation, which started yesterday. I was feeling a little nervous before the first treatment, but unexpectedly the water works started while I there, I'm not even sure why?! I must have looked like such a mess to the techs. But had rads 2/25 today and all went well.

I want to say thank you too for all of your advice and support everyone. You all understand me and all of this in a way people in my life do not...truly a sisterhood like no other.

A special thank you, to you Katy, for your kindness to me. You are indeed one of a kind...and I am thankful.

PB

Jackbirdie

here is Tutti, traitor that she is, showing her support for Russian player Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon. And she's playing American Coco Vandeweghe!

Hummingbirds, birds at the feeder, grand slam tennis on TV and my funny, furry friends helping to distract from final chemo SEs.I can do this!

Trvler

That Tutti is too cute! She just looks so soft I am dying to pet her. I didn't realized she had a lot of brown on her. From the front it is hard to see.

PB: I am so happy that things are going well for you. I KNOW how stressed out you were.

E: We DO miss you. Stop in more often.

Sharon: How'd it go at the neurologist?

Maryellen: Yeah!!! Enjoy your celebration!

Maureen: You, Kbee and I are chemo buddies. We are on #7 today so one week ahead. We can do this!!! I don't have any hair or much either. I have fuzz and some dark hair around the bottom sides, but I will be dam$ed if I can tell if that is new or not. It is driving me nuts.