Holy crap this is bad - how to cope?

Jackbirdie

CatLady- Feeling any better today? Thinking of you.

Katy

Cheesequake

SpecialK, thank you for the post on chemo regimens - just saw it now. Super-helpful!

catlady44

Thanks for thinking of me! I'm doing better today. I have a migraine, nausea from it, swollen gums and my fingernails coming off, but other than that I'm good (I'm completely kidding btw). Seriously though it is a better day overall. I always feel better as each day goes by until the next infusion when it starts all over again. Seems to get harder to bounce back each time. My last infusion is next Tues and everyone keeps reminding me of that, but I'm not feeling that excited about it. It sounds awful to say that, but it's not like I'm going to go party the day after or anything. I'll still be recovering for weeks. Every time someone says that to me I want to say, You do know this isn't going to be over yet. I'm glad that at least I won't have to continually feel worse. Maybe I'm just depressed. It's been a hard week emotionally - tearful, lonely, frustrated I'm always sick - and I think the steroids and menopause stuff is taking it's toll on me. I know it will get better eventually. This too will pass.

Jackbirdie

Yes CatLady- all those things are affecting you. I'm only on 2/6 with #3 coming up next Thursday. I've already started disabusing people of the notion that it will be "over" on the day of last chemo. Months of recovery possibly.

And one of my biggest pet peeves is the wholesale disregard my loved ones seem to have for what 10 years of HT is going to be like. I think since it's in pill form they think it's like taking an aspirin every day to prevent heart attack.

Uhhhh. Guys......wake up

I'll be thinking of you Tuesday. And even though no party, you must acknowledge your strength and bravery in reaching this milestone. Even though we have help, and a lot of it here at bco, it's a road you walked alone. Honor yourself for that

catlady44

Thank you for all you said. I've been feeling guilty that I'm not excited for the last treatment, but it's so nice to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way. One thing I've realized after going through 5 months of chemo is that I'm a fighter and a lot stronger than I realized. I never thought I'd be able to cope with cancer as well as I have. There are dark days of course, but i never consider giving up. . It's either die or fight so I'm going to fight with every once of strength I have!

Good luck next Thurs. I'll be thinking of you too.

Jackbirdie

Mary- let us know how many "likes" your finger gets. That is ridiculous about the bloodwork. They can do most of it in less than an hour. A few other things take a couple of hours. No reason they can't give you more assurances.

In case you didn't see, EHenrich has offered us to be guests at their rental that sleeps at least 12? I think? in Lake Arrowhead. A few are still coming to Oregon first and we'll drive down the coast. You are welcome to do that too.

I have a draft list of those who are interested. Your name is now on it. Once it seems like everyone here has had a chance to become aware of the 2016 "F" Chemo Reunion, I'll start a thread in another section where we can talk more detail and keep this thread on point. On what point I couldn't say. We certainly run the gamut here

Jackbirdie

CatLady- I'm glad to hear you acknowledge your strength. Thanks for the good wishes on Thursdsy too