My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer

Tanya_Djamila

Mic mel Grandpuppy is gorgeous. You must be very strong to handle him at all. Gigantic beautiful baby.

Tanya_Djamila

NO1 I'm thinking of you and the livery biopsy tomorrow. Micmel is such a comfort in that department, shes been through it before. My DH had one years ago but I don't remember any side effects. I pray you're in good hands and best results. Take care.

Micmel

2017~Didn't see your post last night! Snuck in there! Welcome to the thread! If you want to come back again, you're more than welcome ! Stay warm! Depending where you are ! ~M~

Lynne

Gracie-So happy you have no organ involvement!

Tanya-I'm glad you had a great trip!

Thank you all for your kind words, my bronchitis is better. I took my last antibiotic yesterday. I still have a cough but it's better and it's not keeping me up at night (although, I started my Decadron yesterday, for chemo on Fri, and got 3 hrs sleep last night, hardly any sleep for a week, every chemo time, but no side effects!). It has snowed here for 3 days, in a week (about 6 inches on the ground, with the leaves we never got picked up in time, since the oaks were holding onto them late this year). Now we had a cold front move in, and the driveway and walkway are all ice. In the 20s with a wind chill in the single digits. It's supposed to be like that until the weekend, then we we'll be in the balmy 30s! LOL

Hope everyone is feeling well today!

Lynne

GracieM2007

wow that was fast. So I’m approved and I get my first two shots of Faslodex tomorrow along with my Xgeva shot. I haven’t even had time to read through the Faslodex thread to figure out exactly what I need to do so I need some advice. From what I can tell it helps to have it warmed a little bit and can I just ask the nurse if I can do that or they supposed to do that I don’t get it. And also to make sure I’m not putting any weight on the leg that I’m getting the shot and I got that. Is there anything else and will it make me sick to my stomach or anything like that. I’m not even used to the idea that I have to change medicines yet as a matter fact I took my femera this morning. Geesh this is moving fast!!!!

Micmel

Lynne(Man)~so glad you're feeling better. But sleep is really what your body must have to really kick it, especially with chemo also. You're amazing. I'd be under the bed hiding asleep. I always get my tired time frame around 2:30 3:00pmand I have been fighting the urge to nap. It's been working so far and I sleep so much better. I used this chamomile Lilac pillow sleep Spray and it did relax me. I'm going to use it again tonight to see if it works again. Just to make sure it wasn't the power of suggestion. ! Please get some rest darling ! Keep feeling better you have a lot coming up with your parties!! Big hugs to you my friend. ~M~

Micmel

Gracie~I never have had Falsodex shots. But I have had many XGeva shots. Take Claritin like now and tomorrow morning when you wake up, and for around two days after as well. Sometimes it can cause bone pain, also i Took Aleve to combat the aches and flu like symptoms that I got with my first shot. Dont Be afraid to sleep right through it ! Once you get home, I know that by having the nurse warm the shot, I think hurts less and bruises less, as far as what the benefits from warmingother than that. Maybe someone else will chime in. But please take that Claritin! Please! Hugs tomyou sweet friend! ~M~

Micmel

Claudia~ thinking of you my friend ! We are here waiting hoping you got through what you needed to with some good results! Many thoughts and love coming your way. ~M~

Lynne

Gracie-Faslodex shots, was my first treatment, when the cancer came back 5 years ago. I hated them. I'm a side sleeper, and I'd be bruised and could not go on my sides for a couple weeks, then I'd have to go get them again. I got them every 4 weeks after my Zometa iv (I now get it every 3 months). It did the lean on the opposite leg while getting treatment, and it did help it go into me a little faster (it's very thick). They did heat it up too. I would use Ice and heat when I got home. I did not get sick at all. I think I just got tired (I think all treatments do that though). I was on it for a year and a half before it stopped working. Good luck!!!

Mel-All they told me to take for sleep is Benadryl (it didn't work). I have been taking a muscle relaxer for my back and rib pain at night though (not when I was taking the Robitussin with codeine though, I didn't want to overdue it) and tylenol. It didn't work last night, it does on the days I don't take the Decadron. I don't nap either, because I take it with breakfast and lunch, I'm wired for the day (and obviously the night). Usually night 3, I'm so exhausted, that I crash for maybe 6 hours. The day after my last day of steroids, I sleep for at least 10 hours, that will be Monday! I can't wait! I would try your spray, but I'm allergic to Lilacs as well as Lavender, too perfumey, my nose (and lungs) does not like it at all. I hope it works for you again!

Have a nice night (and sleep) to everyone tonight!

Lynne

Micmel

Lynne~(Man) Benadryl is like taking a cough syrup to me. I don't like taking things I don't have to, but my palliative care doctor is really great with the regimen I have been put on! I can't complain one bit! I hope that you feel better soon. I just would love to eliminate the fatigue that I feel. I could sleep marathons. Stay warm please!!! My goodness it's 27 outside now and now tonight of 15, excuse me what? 😩 💨 ❄️ ⛈. For some reason I would accept 80 degrees right About now! It just goes right through you. Coat or no coat! Awful! Much love ~M~

NO1-2NV

Gracie, I too have had Fasoldex injections. The medication is dispensed in two different vials so you will receive an injection on both sides. The medication has to be refrigerated so they will take it out prior to your injections to warm. You might let them know you are willing to warm the vials while you wait. To do this just tuck one vile under each arm pit to warm.

The nurses may also give you the option of having your injections at the same time by two different nurses. I have had it given one injection at a time and two at a time. I really don't have a preference but at least you may be able to decide how you might want the medication administered.

If the med hurts going in don't be afraid to ask the nurse to slow down. This med is thick so slowing down the administration rate helps.

If you get the injection one at a time while standing, point your toes on the side receiving the injection, to the floor like a ballerina. If both hips at the same time try to lean on something to take the weight off of your hips.

Hope this info gives you a little idea of what to expect.

50sgirl

Gracie, Here are the most important tips from the Faslodex Girls Thread. pmjim posted these prominently on the thread so everyone would see them. The nurses should warm up the syringes (they are stored in the fridge), but if they don't, then insist that either they do it or do it yourself. Nurses should also be aware of the fact that the injection should be done slowly. I did get a bump and bruise when one nurse gave the injections, but that's really the only thing I can complain about. I do massage the areas and walk a bit after the shots. Good luck. You will sail right through!

Tips for taking Faslodex without pain:

ABSOLUTE MUSTS:

• Warm up the syringes. At least room temperature. Armpits work well, as does belly skin.
• Take the weight off the leg on the side of the shot. Relax that cheek/leg as much as possible.
• Inject SLOWLY! It should take at least 30 seconds to empty each syringe.

General consensus as helpful:

• Hydrate before and after the shots
• Take a walk or massage the area afterwards in order to get the castor oil and fulvestrant moving.
• If you get an allergic-type reaction (itchy, swelling), take Benadryl before the injection (or if skin rash use hydrocortisone cream afterwards).

Hugs and prayers from, Lynne

50sgirl

No1, I hope your biopsy goes smoothly tomorrow. I will be thinking about you. It is normal to be apprehensive. I always pretend to be brave when I am having tests, but inside I am usually nervous. I suspect that I picked up my stoicism from my parents. Ugh, sometimes I just want to have a meltdown. Haha. It sounds like the medical staff there is on top of everything, making sure they good good samples and using the best approach to get the samples.

Hugs and prayers from, Lynne

Micmel

50's~I think it's a form of torture making people go through so many tests. But then again. It's necessary to even have a chance to know what you're dealing with. It's a double edged sword. I hate it. Personally, I think that as harsh as it seems. It's a form of population control. Unfortunately, we drew the unlucky straw for some reason. I hate that also. After so many times of having tests and scans and biopsies. It's enough to drive me mad! The worst thought is it will never end. The testing and blood work and scans. It's enough already and it's only almost been two years of fighting this biaaatch of a disease for me. I just wish there was a cure! You're a strong woman! We all have to be!

Have a warm good sleep night. Much love ~M~

You're so kind to find that information for Gracie. Such a sweetheart you are!

illimae

All this sleep talk is making me drowsy. Long day, super busy, ended up working late and got home too worn out to cook, had soup and a sandwich. It’s so cold here (in the 40’s), I don’t know how you all deal with the low temps and snow for so long. Can’t wait to climb into bed and bundle up.

Looks like every is doing ok. I’m calling it a night. (Yawn)

Micmel

Mae~ I am so with you. I want to get up early, I have a lot of things to do to get finished. I think soup and salad sounds delicious! Nothing like that on a coldnight! I hope we all sleep well. Including you Chelle! I just checked our temperature and it is 24 and it's showing possible snow showers yuck! Good night everyone!

Good morning Minnie!

Hugs ~M~

GracieM2007

Thanks everybody for all the information about the shots! Am hoping they go easy!!!

Leapfrog

Gracie....fantastic news! I know it sounds crazy when you have five new areas that we're all celebrating but the fact that your organs are clear is something to celebrate!! I'm so relieved for you. I'm now on round 12 of Ibrance and I'm so used to the fatigue that it's just something I notice is there but I work with it, not against it. At first it used to feel terrible but now, pfft, nothing. It's amazing what you can get used to. The mouth soreness can be alleviated in many ways. I use Gelclair and it's great.

Micmel...it depends which part of the US you're in. I'm on the west coast of Australia so if you're on the east coast of the US you're 12 hours behind me. If you're on the west coast you're 16 hours behind me. If you're somewhere in the middle, so will the time be! So, you're somewhere between 12 and 16 hours behind me. I'll put some pictures of the balcony on but they don't do it justice at all. They'll just look like a bunch of plants and flowers because it's impossible to get it all into one or even two photos.

Tanya and anyone else...I take a sleeping tablet whenever I need to. Our bodies need rest and recovery at night and lying awake in the dark isn't a good place for the mind to be. I don't see why we should be made to feel guilty over something like that when you consider what we're all dealing with. I saw a meme on Facebook by this organisation which I'll post after this. It resonated so strongly I kept it.

Leapfrog

Leapfrog

Doesn't that speak for us all?

Lynnwood1960

Leapfrog, truer words were never spoken!

Leapfrog

Lynnwood....Yes! It's right there with us all the time.

Minnie31

leapfrog, true words. Yes, and I agree with the sleeping tablet. I feel so much better restedthan when I lay awake at night. Suffering the demon constipation this week. No treatment for me this week, as heart function is down. Lovely scan to look forward to next month, but hey everyone, it's nearly Christmas, so enjoy every minute xx

Grannax2

My DD found out yesterday that she probably does NOT have MS. Whew what a relief. I didnt realize how anxious i was about that, until I couldn't sleep at all the night before she got her results. Her doc is doing more tests to check for other autoimmune diseases, but the brain MRI was clear of MS lesions. However, it did show a build up of spinal fluid behind her optic nerves. That finding indicates that her shunt ( for pseudo tumor cerebri) is not functioning properly. That explains the vision problems and headaches. If her shunt cannot be adjusted, she may have to have it removed. 😱

At least she has an explaination that makes sense. Now, on to a Merry Christmas for all of us inspite of MBC and/ or family health concerns. 🎄💞😍

50sgirl

Grannax, Whew indeed! I am glad that you have that worry behind you and that the doctors found an explanation for you DD's symptoms. Relax a bit and enjoy the holidays.

Leapfrog, thank you for posting those wise words of inspiration.

No1, I hope you are comfortable after your early morning biopsy. Try to take it easy for a while. Let someone spoil you for a few days.

Mel, Did I tell you that your tree is lovely? It is very pretty. My 3 year old granddaughter put on many of our ornaments this year. As you might imagine, one section of the lower part of the tree is heavily decorated leaving the rest of the tree looking a bit sparsely populated. My DH and I decided to leave it that way since it was so much fun watching her place things so carefully. Her sister, who will be 2 on Christmas Eve, needed help putting the decorations on, but she directed the placement of her share. She wanted each one to hang next to a blue light.

Gracie, I hope you aren't sore after today's injections. As Tina on the Faslodex thread would say, "Welcome to the fanny pack." Btw, she has been on Faslodex for several years, since 2011 , I believe, and NED. I hope we find success with it for that long (at least), too.

Hugs and prayers to everyone, Lynne

Micmel

Good morning ladies~ NO1~ thinking of you today. Strong woman. Rest up when you're home remember we are here and .....there waiting for you, and with you ...I hope it was a painless procedure, I was cramping a little afterwords, but I am thinking of you !!

Gracie~Thinking of you and your fanny! I hope you do not have any side effects. I am thinking of you also.

Claudia~wondering how you are honey. You haven't. Been around. On my mind. You are!

Leapfrog~I love what you posted! So very very true!

Lynnwood~ hi there!! So nice to see you back. Missed you and hope all is well with you

50's~I would have left the tree that way also. Take a picture! That is a guaranteed smile! Precious babies!

Grannax~ so relieved for you that you got that news about your DD, what a relief. But I am sending hopes that the issue calms down. What would involve taking that out? Your icon seemed scared! She and you are in my thoughts as well. As my list is very long for us.!

Minnie~ Waving hello and sending a big hug!

Mae~ I hope you got a good sleep. I'm ordering some puzzles!! I can't wait !

I am so worried about Nan. It's been a long time since she's answered. I'm very worried. 😞😢

Much love ~M~

Tanya_Djamila

Good morning all,

Granx great news for your daughter and you. Just in time for the holiday celebration. One more thing to be grateful for.

Leapfrog I love your tired demon fighting message. Went to one appt this morning and I'm tired already, but I have to go food shopping at some point today.

Gracie the injections are a powerful potion. I pray they don't leave you sore. I think the nurse has a lot to do with whatever your outcome is. When I began my faslodex injections I think I had them again after two weeks and then started the 21 day cycle. Did anyone else have that regimen?

All the lights and decorations look festive and beautiful. I hope everyone is enjoying their family time. I see many businesses will be closed Friday and Monday.

N01 thinking of you and praying for strength and ease today.

Micmel

Tanya~Hello darling! Hope you're feeling good. It snowed here last night again so we are officially in the artic now. I would love to be in Florida. I hope you enjoy your day! When my off week of ibrance comes I'm exhausted. I always hoped that I could be more alert and want to actually do things ! My grand puppy is huge and thank you for that compliment on my strength, I like to think I'm strong. I walk him, so perhaps there is some giddy up in my go still!! I woke up with a wonderful cold sore! I don't get them monthly. But I can tell that my body is fighting something! Usually when my counts are low, this is what happens! It's like a third eye! Ok fourth if you count my port! Enough already lol. For all of us. Much love ~M~

Stay safe and stay warm! Hugs!

Micmel

.....this is what we woke up to today. It was two inches only luckily, but the wind 💨 is howling it's already drifted in places. Brrrrrr. Cold ❄️. Hugs ~M~

Grannax2

Micmel. Having the shunt taken out is scary. It's done by a neurosurgeon, the shunt is in her brain with a tube that drains off the excess fluid build up into her abdomen. But,. The most troubling part is that without a shunt, her fluid will build up even worse causing unrelieved massive headaches and possibly blindness.. PTC is such a rare disorder that there is no known cure or even treatment. She's had about ten shunts in the past twenty years. All but this one have become infected. So, it's complcated. She's on disability because of it.

I'm praying that this one can be fixed, somehow. I am clueless as to how the surgeon would do this. But, I do know that she needs a different neurosurgeon. The one she has is very rude and condescending to my DD and DSIL. They sure need our prayers for finding a more compatible doc. Her PCP is working on finding a different one to refer her to.