Starting Chemo March 2015

Jackbirdie

Carrie- just wanted to let you know I saw you were very down as well, and I'm reaching out my hand so we can hang on together.

T- bad juju. Tooth owwy on the weekend. Take care. Glad you can self- medicate if necessary.

IndyGal35

T - is it bad that I'd almost rather pull the thing out myself than have to endure one more crappy procedure at the hands of a doctor (or dentist)?

Italychick

Seriously I wish I could take it out myself. It doesn't hurt, just swollen. The bitch is I know they will probably have to take the cap off, cut into my gum, clean it, then I will have to wait months to get the crown put back on. I feel like saying screw it, just take the damn thing out. But even there, they have to refill it with bone material, clean, etc. so no matter what, more damn doctor visits, because I probably have to go to a surgeon, at least that is what my dentist brother in law is saying. Swell, more toxic anesthetic, etc. in my body. Just what I need.

Getting old sucks.

KBeee

Theresa, a Tooth issues hurt! Ouch! I hope you get relief soon. I used to think getting old ducks. Now I think it is a privilege. It is a privilege I hope to achieve.

Kati and Carrie, Thinking of you and hoping the clouds clear and sunnier days are ahead. I am sorry these are such dark days for you. (((Hugs)))

SueH58

Theresa - no tooth issues here but a UTI. Maybe due to good bacteria being wiped out with the bad stuff?

Katy, so sorry you're so down. Your jam is beautiful, and I remember how much you like bread. Go get a big ol' loaf and enjoy yourself! Hey, does Tutti's tail look like that all the time? My cat's puffs up when she plays and gets excited, but is not like that all the time.

Eileen - hilarious story abiout your cat!!!

As for me, I was back to work 4 half days and now I'm off again. After 4 days, they still can't get my PC going (everything gets disabled when you go on disability). Since I had a bunch of days already scheduled around my daughter's wedding, I took a couple more and am now off til Oct 7. Concentrating on the wedding and radiation. Stuffing favor bags today.

One week down in rads. Very uneventful so far.

Hope everyone has a good weekend. Beautiful fall weather here in Wisconsin.

SueH58

Oh, and I know I'll laugh at this some day, but I went to the plastic surgeon for my 6-month follow up. He looked at me and asked "how long have you had that spot on your face?" Well, he's quite sure it's basal cell cancer (runs in my family). My mother had suggested the same thing a couple of days before, and I thought "great, gotta go see the dermatologist now." Well, I asked him if he coiuld biobsy it, and he said yes. He said he'd just remove it (he's that sure it's cancer). So I scheduled a day for him to remove it. But at least I don't have to see another Dr! He was surprised it appeared at this time because of my chemo. But that kind of chemo must not thwart off skin cancer.

Carrie37

I'm so sorry to hear that Sue. How scary! I hope it doesn't require much.

Thanks Katy. Just keep swimming. Right?

Meme117

Ggood morning from a cool PA, it's a breezy fall day. I'm not far from Philadelphia and everything is about the Popes visit. Wish I could have gone to see him but there are so many road closures and way too many people. I'm thankful there has been no violent acts.

E and Theresa your cat stories are so funny. I remember how stressful it was when I couldn't find our cat, he could find the best hiding spots.

Katy Hugs to you!! I love your jam how many pounds of strawberries? I've always wanted to do that. A store just opened up with canned jams and the cost is $7 per, the same size as yours. None were sugar free so I didn't buy.

Carrie hugs to you too!!

Congrats Molly!!

Yesterday laying on the radiation table I thought wtf why am I here, I shouldn't be here, this can't be for real. But it is and really why not me. I'm just plugging thru day by day. My boob is red and a bit swollen and I have 29 treatments to go - yikes!!

Theresa what do you know about the heart effects and herceptin any good articles to read?

Off to do some garage sale shopping - have a beautiful day girls

eheinrich

Sue - ugh. Only one cancer per person, please.

Because it's Saturday & I'm leaving town I woke up w a raging yeast infection (TMI?). Hitting the store on my way out. Blech. Some people on different boards have linked these to tamox. I'm thinking the sweaty night time conditions may be a factor - yay night sweats! Coconut oil helps with the burning (of course it does!) but still so unpleasant.

Wishing everyone a nice weekend.

littleblueflowers

Carrie-so sorry you are feeling down. I wish I could help! Big giant hugs for you!

Katy-Same traffic. Crashing sux. I hope the wheel spins you upright again soon!

Jackbirdie

Sue- so sorry about the UTI. Ouch. And the basal cell. Oh dear. Yes one cancer per, please! I've had about ten of them, it doesn't hurt. Usually. The most recent required an incision from the outside of my eye to my jaw. That one did hurt. You must get checked regularly now that you've had one. Yes, her tail is like that all the time. It is just huge!

E- ugh on the YI. Hope you can knock it out and thank goodness you have coconut oil on hand haha. Hope you enjoy your time at the lake.

Meme- that was about a flat of strawberries. My recipe called for 6 cups crushed. I used my hands. It's very hard to make sugar free jam. They make special pectin for it, but everybody I've known or read about making sugar free jam says it just doesn't set up right. Even with the special pectin. They sugget using mostly stevia with a bit of real sugar as a solution. I know I should give sugar up. I don't see it happening though.

Carrie- yes.... 🎢🎢🎢🏊🏻🏊🏻🏊🏻🏊🏻🏊🏻🏊🏻🏊🏻🏊🏻🏊🏻🏊🏻🏊🏻

slothabouttown

Eileen,

I had a yeast infection last week. It freaked me out because I've probably only had one twice before in life and of course I read the package insert on the monostat bullet thingy that "people with cancer and weakened immune systems" are more prone, blah blah blah down the rabbit hole....WTF....

Good news is it cleared up overnight with the OTC treatment and coconut oil, hope yours does the same.

SpecialK

sueh - I have had at least 30 basal cell skin cancers removed - thankfully none from my face. I had three done just before I started chemo, and since chemo they have accelerated - don't know if that is because of chemo, or they would have anyway. Mine started when I was 35, so about 25 years ago. They are easy to remove, but don't do it before the wedding. Will they biopsy first? If this is an actinic keratosis (pre-cancer) they can remove it more superficially and leave less of an impact, so I would want to confirm basal cell first if I were you. All of mine have been biopsied and they have then been removed in a variety of ways depending on their location. I have three new ones right now that were biopsied at the beginning of Sept. and will be removed next month. One is recurrent so will probably require a MOHS - it is one of the ones that was removed just prior to chemo, and I have another on my worst lymphedema arm - so that is problematic.

Carrie37

UTI's, yeast infections oh my. I hope you are all feeling better soon!!

Did I mention that it took the nurses three tries to get my IV in during Herceptin the other day?? One nurse told me a few times that my skin is tough "like leather." And "horrible to try to find a vein." Why thank you!! I did say something about people always telling me how tough I am and then she commented about this kind of tough not being good. Well....then I wanted to punch her. I was in tears before the Herceptin so none of that helped. I was seated by a little old lady who is getting treatment for a very rare type of cancer in her nose. She was so worried about me. I just closed my eyes and tried to find my happy place. When my MO finally came to talk to me I said "I told you my veins suck!" Whilst crying. Then she asks me if I have any new or unusual side effects like strange headaches or heart problems. I wanted to scream that I am sure my heart problem is anxiety!!!!!

Special K, I would like to do some research and maybe you can point me in the right direction and weigh in too. What is the deal with the effectiveness of radiation? I see my new RO next Wednesday so I can ask specifics. I just don't want to do this anymore. I know many others have it much worse than I do.

ksusan

Sue, so sorry, but glad the spot's being attended to.

SpecialK

Carrie - make sure you hydrate really well prior to infusion and request a warm moist towel, or heated blanket and put it on the vein for maybe 10 mins prior to the first stick. Hopefully things will go smoother. On the question of rads - tell me why they are recommended for you? Was it your node or the position of your breast mass, or both

Italychick

Maryellen, I don't know of any articles about Herceptin.

SpecialK, know of any? I just take my poison, test my heart function every three months, and cross my fingers

DavisD

Carrie-I'm sorry you're feeling down. I truly understand, have battled all of my life. For me, reaching out and just spending time with someone positive helps me keep from disappearing/retreating totally which is bad for me. Hang in there, this will pass.

Katy-I know exactly what you mean about "project" being a warning sign...you know yourself well and will get through this because of your insight and because YOU HAVE TO WE NEED AND LOVE YOU!

Theresa-That really sucks about your tooth! I actually had a positive dental appointment last week, first cleaning since chemo and everything looked good. I couldn't believe it. I understand not having the energy to go through the whole process and appointments. I hope you're feeling better soon.

Sue-Ugh, UTI's are miserable. I had a bad one last week even though the symptoms were present for several weeks. Just didn't want to make another damn appointment! Feel better and hope the spot is benign..

E-Hope you are better too! I hope you have a good weekend wherever you're heading.

Lee-thanks, you are so caring to pay attention to when my MRI is. I'm deciding to believe it will be nothing to worry about. I don't have the energy to do anything else

On this front, my husband has a job for another 30 days at least. The farm he has managed for over 30 years was sold at auction yesterday. We don't know who since it was an online auction but the real estate agent told him he'll probably be getting a call from the new owners...that's pretty vague. He has no retirement, no savings and a ton of debt. He also doesn't like to talk things out which is difficult for me. I'm trying to just breathe. Still not having ANY appetite and even though I'm stressed, this somehow seems different. I'm also still struggling with insomnia and memory issues (these may be a result of the autoimmune cycling or possibly Herceptin?) On a positive note, my skin is getting better every day since finishing rads a week ago.

Hope you all know how important you are to me and each other. Have a wonderful weekend!

ksusan

littleblueflowers

Where's the like button???

Italychick

Seriously, love it! Ksusan and littleblue are the two of you on our secret Facebook group? That would be a great post there. If you aren't, I will figure out who is the keeper of it so you can both get added. You would be great additions

ksusan

I can post it over there.

shaz101

how do I join the secret Facebook? ??

I went to my step daughters wedding yesterday. My joints are in agony today. But it was worth it. It was so beautiful. I'm really blessed. Chloe is my ex husbands daughter. Even though we have been divorced over 5 years now,she still treats me as part of her family.

Does the shit ever end for us. My heart goes out to you all. Depression, uti's, yi's, skin cancer and pain from recons or treatment. It just isn't fair!

ksusan

Actually, I'm in the secret April Fb page . I'd enjoy joining March as well.

Italychick

Molly is the administrator, so I think she may have to add you, and will probably need to know your Facebook name

Italychick

I posted on the Facebook group that you guys want to join, so hopefully she will respond and can add you once we know your Facebook name

SpecialK

Italy - what kind of articles regarding Herceptin are you looking for?

Italychick

Maryellen (Meme117) asked me about heart effects and Herceptin. I haven't read any Herceptin articles, but thought you might know. Since I haven't yet had any side effects, I haven't gone out researching side effects, but am hoping you can help her.

SpecialK

Let me see what I can find.

DavisD

Sharon-Have they started you on any RA meds yet? How are the migraines coming? I'm so glad to got enjoy the wedding even though you're in pain now. Thinking of you

Slept a bit better last night. Starting a symptom journal again, mostly related to the Sjogren's. Symptoms change sometimes daily and I have to weigh out which are even worth mentioning.

Have a great Sunday all! My son is coming by to watch football and go out for dinner. I still have no appetite, lost 10 lbs but holding steady w/lots of bananas and easy foods to slip down. It doesn't seem normal but I've reported it to MO office lots of times.