Starting Chemo May 2008

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  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2008
    WOOOHOOO! just got a call from the doc... my ultrasound came back clear! I have 2 teeny cystic spots but they are nothing to worry about. I needed good news.Cool
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  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited August 2008

    Sable - that's great news!  I hope your bone pain still permitted a little celebratory jig.  (If not, I'll do one for you!)

    My weird new side effect is a twitchy eye.  Nothing major, just annoying.

    Linda

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited August 2008

    Yay Jen for clear ultrasounds!!!

      

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  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited August 2008

    Ellenoire,

    Love the new avatar!!!

    Sable, so glad to hear the good news about your ultrasound!!!

    Roxi 

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  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited August 2008

    YEAY for clear ultrasound!!!! YEAY!!!!

    BOOO for premature bone pain, what a pain! Could at least be predictable, right? Then you could work around it.  I'll be right there with you tonight or tomorrow, had neulasta shot today and taxotere (along with adriamycin and cytoxan) yesterday.  My mood is very uplifted by the fact that I don't have to do it again in three weeks, have an appointment with the radiation oncologist on August 12th, I AM DONE WITH CHEMO!!! ALL I HAVE TO DO IS GET THROUGH THIS LAST SET OF SE'S!!!!!!!

    It will be here for you before you know it.

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  • ewesterman
    ewesterman Member Posts: 417
    edited August 2008

    Jen,

    I love your current avatar. Noelle, yours too. Am I the only person who has actually printed out fuck on these messages? I feel so bold. I'll stop now. Okay, with herceptin pumping in and mah jongg being played for the second time now (I was losing terribly) my mind wandered over to the pole and I started imagining what my pole dance will look like. I am hoping it'll be something wild, but it'll depend if I'm in a room or by a window or what...stay tuned for September 14. Had first herceptin today...an hour and a half. Waiting for the crash after taxol/steroids tomorrow but hoping it'll be more mellow since fewer steroids and I am prepared with ibuprofen, tylenol, whatever if necessary. Jean, I am still thinking of you and wondering how you are coping. Adrienne...Wednesday is your last infusion? So cool. You went for great photos of the yew...I am sure your pole dance will be fabulous. I miss you guys and I have never met you face to face. Sigh. Jen, congrats on the clean ultrasound. I just read brochures about herceptin .... enough to scare the living anything out of me. Roxi, I am looking for a great pole dance from you too. Susan and Laura, let me know what you find out about weekly vs. once every three weeks of heceptin as I am starting down that path. I will have two with taxol then on their own. I hear rumors, now, they want us on for a year and a half....not a year. Anyone else hearing about 18 months instead of 12?  Ciao.

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  • familyroks
    familyroks Member Posts: 575
    edited August 2008

    Eddie - Yep...last one is Wednesday!  Woohoo!  My inlaws are also arriving the night before, from New Mexico...we're not thrilled at the timing but we'll deal with it.

    Rock - You've been MIA today...I'm a worrier.  I hope your absence is because you're out having fun. 

    I'm still having a tough debate with myself over radiation.  I wish I fell in the more black or white category.  I guess I better decide in the next week so that I can get all the prep work done.

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited August 2008

    Eddie - Loved your post to Otter - you have a very descriptive mind!!

    Love everyone's new avatars (Jen and Noelle) that I can remember. 

    Jean - Still sending good and healing thoughts to mom through you!!

    Jen - So sorry for crappy bone pain, but woo hoo for clear ultrasounds!! 

    Kristy - Kudos for you just for keeping the IV needle in.  I keep mine overnight (or did) from infusion day to hydration day and last night one of the lil darlin's ran by and KNOCKED IT.  Oweeeee.  Protect it well, sister.

    I got some Compazine today to have and switch off/on with the Zofran, so if I'm slightly incoherent, that's why.  I'm also starting to look like the water buffalo again.  I wanted to share my "Daily Word" from Thursday (didn't read it until last night, so it was my "Nightly Word") but it felt very appropriate (how do they do that!?).  Here it is, with an excerpt:

    Prosperity:  "Looking up a the sky on a clear night, I may at first see only an expanse of dark.  Continuting to look, I see a few stars and notice the patterns of some constellations.  The more I look into the depth and scope of the sky, the more stars I see.  Focused on the stars, I see there is no limit to the number of brilliant, celestial objects.  Likewise, there is no limit to the good awaiting me as a child of God.  The more I look for the good of God in my life, the more I see. I accept my blessings with a profound gratefulness of heart.  I am a child of God and heir to the infinite good of God.  Health, wisdom, resources and so much more are blessings that fill my life just as completely and surely as the multitude of stars that fill the heavens."

    Wishing Prosperity to all of you, my friends!!

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  • ranD
    ranD Member Posts: 373
    edited August 2008

    Hey all,

    Hope my new avatarposted, that is my 5yo Sam with me.  We went fro a Mom, Dad and Sam day.  Out for some fish and chips, or for him, popcorn shrimp and chips, then to a park, then to a "boring" {until the toys came out} records shop and then to hang out and feed some horses and goats.  He also was telling me stories today and again mentione the one about the 5 yo that caused cancer in his mom by feeling the lumps and talking about them.  I told him that he was a hero,he felt the bump first and that led to the dr. being able to heal me.  His newest story is about  the "normal"  chemo mom who finishes her medicine and doesn't feel sick anymore and has fun with her boy.  LOL.  Amyway, he's a keeper.  He even tells epople that my mom had me when she was in her 40s, so she really wanted me.

    This was after my I feel shitty and want to either die now or stop chemo day.  Chris, your words hit the spot tonight.

    Off to farmer;s market with dd #2 tomorrow. randie

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited August 2008

    I'm not churchy or Christian or anything but -- I find Psalm 139 beautifully written and quite comforting.  I posted it somewhere on these boards in response to news of AlaskaDeb and all of those tests.

    Have been in bed pretty steady since 11:30 am yesterday (it's now 8 am). I feel okay; am just wiped out. Probably the anemia.  (Youse a sweetheart, Adrienne. Oh! and there are a couple boards where people debate radiation.  Look for posts by MarieKelly -- she's extremely knowledgeable.)  Eddie, allergic to the 'roids, eh? Hopefully this will mean you're going to start feeling less crappy pretty darned soon! 

    I'm enjoying all the new "looks"/avatars people are sporting! (Sue, an avatar (from old photo) for you...)

    Randie -- I like your little guy's attitude. What a sweetie-boots. I love that age. Actually, I pretty much like kids of all ages except for that stereotypically snotty/mouthy stage some of them go through around 7 or 8. At least when they're teens, they have more original ways of being mouthy. 

    Kristy -- I am uncharacteristically at a loss for words.  But I have been thinking about you a lot the last couple days, especially the last 18 hours or so.
    Jean-- how are you and your Mom?

      

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited August 2008

    Yup RanD it posted!

    Everyone looks great!

    I put up my April avatar( that was the hair I had after the haircut b4 it fell out) because I figure that I am working backwards in the hair department and the 6 inch high mohawk is a goal. 

      I am off to a swim workshop for most of the weekend. Today is day 1 of hanging out with what is likely to be a group of athletes. We'll see how above average triathletes and swimmers react to the cancer. Maybe I will get to be Lance Armstrong for the day.

    The coach offered to keep my illness a secret, but with no prothesis (I cannot imagine trying to swim with one in my way) and my shiny noggin I think I will stand out a little. 

     I hope everyone will have a good, restful and painfree day!

     Chemooooooo!

     N 

     P.S. Eddie, now that I have the green light from you I will not hesitate to type f -u-c-k. I do believe it may have been the first word my kid heard in the delivery room...Embarassed

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  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited August 2008

    Noelle,

    I LOVE YOUR ATTITUDE!!!!

    RanD, I have a 19 y/o son named Sam. Love the way he turned your day around. Love the way you told him he not only didn't make you sick, but saved your life. You are a really good Mom.

    Rock,

    Thanks for the face.  Loving you today and sending you energy.  Feel better, wish I could bring you a big bowl of chicken and dumplings.  Perfect post-chemo food.  Isn't next week your last one?  Loving you today, all day. Just needed to say it again, and hope you feel it. I'm standing on the other side of the river shouting encouragement and when you get close enough I will reach out as far as I can until I can help you the rest of the way out of the water!! Did I mention I am loving you today?

    Everyone I missed, I'll catch up later I'm off to the library!

    Love,

    Sue

    P.S.  We can say fuck here? 

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  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited August 2008

    Eddie,

    I asked my onc about herceptin just on Wednesday and he indicated there is a study in Europe currently comparing the benefits of staying on herceptin for two years vs. one for ealr stage bc. The study won't be completed until spring and at that time we'll see what the conclusions are.

    RanD, your son is well beyond his years. What a dear sweet child.

    Have a great weekend all, bone pain is a bitch. Did I say that??? 

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited August 2008

    Where's Gracie? and Angels?

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  • ewesterman
    ewesterman Member Posts: 417
    edited August 2008

    Perhaps all of those women are out having a normal weekend. Okay, fewer steroids lead to a very rough night after taxol 2, but I'd rather have physical crap than emotional...fluish (from either herceptin or taxol, but who cares? I am fluish which is fine because I am also Jewish). Bottom line? I dragged my big butt out of bed by 11 and showered and ate. No major writst pain coming back yet I feel much more in control this time and, after all, isn't that what we want when we are feeling so out of control???? Hmmm. Sam is a cutie. Our Max was almost a Sam. I love the avatar. And Rock, the real age you have to watch out for is 15. That is when parents are "pathetic." Heading over to a friend's for the rest of the day because my theory is why feel bad at home when you can feel bad somewhere else and have a better time. Roxi, how long are you supposed to do herceptin? Right now, I am on for a year, but I bet we'll get it stretched out. Hope everyone else is feeling fine and we can only say fuck if we feel like it...not just because. Wait...isn't that the same? I am dreaming about my pole dance still. September 4th...but who is counting? Love you all.

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  • Gracie713
    Gracie713 Member Posts: 302
    edited August 2008

    I'm here!  Just got up from a nap.  I have felt pretty good the last couple of days, just dog assed tired.  This anemia sucks, for sure.  Not much has been happening in my neck of the woods,  Enjoying the cooler weather!

    Love the pole dancing!  Congrats to all are finishing tx!  You are all my insrpiation.

    Making plans to go back home for 30th class reunion.  Thinking about going as a blond.  Wasn't going to go because I figured the trip would be rough, but DH said he would take me, and if need be, I can sleep during the drive up there.   (It's just a 5 hour drive)   Now if I just had the energy to go shopping for a new outfit!

    Hope that everyone is having a great weekend and no SE's!

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  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited August 2008

    Gracie, wish I could come and take you shopping!! Good on you for napping, I'm wide awake but NEED a nap, know what I mean?

    Eddie, glad you are going to a friend's house and feeling only fluish (and Jewish) (that was so cute)...

    I am waiting for the other shoe to drop---not much nausea this time, the neulasta/taxotere pain is here in force and I am taking all the drugs I need.  That's probably why I'm not able to nap--those pain meds wire me sometimes. Anyway, just chilling in the recliner in the air conditioning....got dinner going in the crock-pot and the bread machine (Corned Beef and Cabbage and rye-onion bread)...can't wait.

    Cris, thanks for the prosperity words, I needed to read them.  You have a knack for posting just what I need. How are you feeling?

    Rock, how ya doin?  Still out there?  Hope you are resting well and feeling better.

    Love all you guys.

    Sue 

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  • Hood1980
    Hood1980 Member Posts: 537
    edited August 2008

    Hi Everyone!  May I join in?  I've been hanging out on the Starting Chemo in Aug 08 board, but I feeling a little lost.  I had my first of 4 TC treatments on Aug  6th.  No serious SEs for the most part - funny tastes, tired, queasy.  I had my Neulasta shot on Day 2 and then Day 3 felt bone tired.  Today Day 4 slept most of the day, not hungry,  but feel like I'm coming out of it.  Is this typical?

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited August 2008

    I was on AC but what you describe sounds about right! The first one is the most difficult in some ways, because everything is so new and we haven't yet learned yet a) what s/e we're going to be susceptible to (e.g., constipation!) or b) how to deal with them (e.g., more fiber, no cheese!)   take good care of yourself. (If I were a betting woman, I'd bet that you are coming out of it and tomorrow you'll feel even better.  Try to at least go for a walk on the days you feel up to it (not necessarily Day 3 & 4); I found that moving and metabolizing really made everything go more smoothly.)   

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  • Hood1980
    Hood1980 Member Posts: 537
    edited August 2008

    Thanks Rock!  I just got back from a short walk that I forced myself to take & am glad I did!  It is gorgeous out here in so. md.

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited August 2008

    Everyone must be out having a good weekend - it's quiet here.

    Randie - Don't 'cha just love 'em?!  My little 4 (almost 5) y.o. says the best stuff, too.  And the picture is great!!  Mine is with the little one, too.  Glad the words helped you. 

    Sue - And you, too!  They just seemed to hit home with me, so I wanted to share.  Interestingly, I am also not feeling as nauseated this time (keeping fingers crossed) and, no, the shoe will NOT drop for you because you are DONE, my friend.  Oddly, I also have needed a nap today and couldn't manage it.  Are we the same person today?

    (Pause for Men's Gymnastics...)  O.K., I'm back...

    Roxi - Sorry for the bone pain.  Hope it gets better, girl.

    Rock - Hope you found some energy today.  Or, if not, some comfortable, clean sheets.

    Gracie - How's the new gs?  Glad you're going to your reunion!!

    Noelle - LOVE that HAIR picture!!  That is terrific!  Hope the swim workshop is just what you need.

    Eddie - Hope you had a good day at your friend's house.  I found one about "taking responsibility" for you.  It just sort of clicked when you talked about feeling in control (which often we feel so much out of).  I guess I'm having a Zen sort of weekend...

    "Taking responsibility for my own life is empowering.  I know I can never be defeated by circumstances, nor will I ever allow myself to by manipulated.  In partnership with God, I take divine ideas and apply them in my everyday life.  As a thinker, speaker, and doer of the highest and best intentions, I am a dynamic enthusiastic participant in life.  Divine ideas flow to me and through my plans and actions.  Each day I reflect on my contributions toward my own well-being and the well-being of the people who are sharing my life.  Accepting the gift of life, I give thanks for it and live it in fullness."

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited August 2008

    O.K., small complaint (because I am so much better than last time - I have decided that 3 is not a charm for chemo!)

    I'm mostly tired and headachy, but did anyone have total body ache?  Not bone pain, but my jaw aches and the only way to describe it is, my skin hurts.  Especially from my shoulders all the way up into my head.  Ow.  Can't remember if I've posted this before - it has happened every time, but feels worse this time. 

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited August 2008

    Im still around everyone- just dog tired- I took 3 naps yesterday. I guess the fighting infection and trying to recover from 9 days in the hospital is zapping my energy. Im glad the Olympics are on now so I have something to watch while Im recuperating (Im not much of a TV person, or at least I wasnt pre surgery, pre chemo etc).

    Kristy

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited August 2008

    I am off to swim class #2, will be a mess when i get home.

     Hope everyone has a good as can be day!

     chemoooooo!

     Noelle  

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited August 2008

    Cris -- The jaw pain sounds familiar though I'm sorry I can't remember more.  I do remember thinking, "PLEASE let me not be developing teeth problems..." though.

    Kristy, I hope your energy returns. How is your appetite? Are you staying well-nourished and hydrated? I know it is easy to let that slide when you're feeling punk.

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  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited August 2008

    Cris,

    Sorry you are hurting, thanks for the good words. Do you have drugs to take? (That seems to be my answer to everything this time, I am just tired of hurting.  Not gonna do it anymore.)

    Kristy--glad you are home, and at least have good TV to watch.

    Hood1980--there's a thread called "Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan" That may give you a lot of good info.  I'll find and bump it up for you.  Welcome here, though, the more the merrier and we can't have you feeling a little lost!  You stay right here, too!!

    Rock, hope you are feeling good today.  I talked to my son this morning, he sounds great.  He and his gf are going to yard sales today.  They are such thrifty teenagers--he told me he got a coffee table for nothing that was just really funky and dirty and needed to be taken apart and put back together--so he did all that, and he's like, "Mom, this coffee table is great now, and it cost me nothing!!!"  He's so proud....it makes me feel good.   I knew his leaving would hurt but I didn't expect how happy he sounds and how good that makes me feel.  Life is good.

    Hope everyone's Sunday is relatively pain-free and relaxed.....

    Sue 

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  • Gracie713
    Gracie713 Member Posts: 302
    edited August 2008

    Okay, I never thought that I'd be happy to have just enough energy to get the dishes washed and a couple loads of laundry done, but I am.  Probably won't get much else done, but hey, there are now clean dishes and clothes! 

    Cris, Rock, Kristy---hope that you are feeling better today!  I'm with you on the Olympics--I really enjoy watching them.  (Of course, Nascar will be on soon, so I'll flip back & forth!)

    Sue--our  youngest moved out 8 years ago--I still marvel at how well & happy that she is. With a husband, 4 kids and a house, she always manages to stay on top of everything--we did something right raising her!

    Hope that everyone is having a great, SE free weekend!

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited August 2008

    (I really wish I could hold a baby.  Don't want to have one but boy, it must be neat to hold one!)

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited August 2008

    Rock, I earned spending & college money during my teenage years by babysitting.  That was back when babysitters were paid 25 cents an hour (35 cents an hour after midnight).  So, that translates to LOTS of hours of babysitting, with kids ranging in age from 1 week to 12 years.  After 5 or 6 years of babysitting on every available weekend or holiday, I thought I would never want to hold a baby again...  (That may have played a small part in my decision not to have any kids of my own.)

    OK, fast-forward to 2 years ago.  My step-son and daughter-in-law called us to say they'd had a baby girl.  Ten days later, my dh and I arrived there to see our grandbaby.  We stayed for about a week, and I had LOTS of opportunities to hold, feed, change, and cuddle that little girl.  It was really, really neat.  I never thought I would have a chance to do that.

    See, you never know what will happen in life.

    otter 

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited August 2008

    I have a rare moment here - I'm HOME ALONE!!  Dh is at work, kids are elsewhere and it's just ME!!  And I don't feel really crappy!!  Woo hoo!!  Whatever that achiness was, 10 hours of solid sleep seemed to help.  It's not completely gone, but loads better. 

    Sue - trust me, I am NOT into pain - Ibuprofin was my friend, but only as necessary.  Glad to hear your ds is doing well (and that probably helps you, too!).  Interestingly, I was just posting stuff for sale on a free website, but probably not stuff they need (i.e., baby stuff). 

    Rock - The best I can do is send you one of the many baby dolls we have, except they don't have that new-baby smell (that is such a good smell).  We only have around 7 dolls (haha), most of which don't have names.  My favorite is older dd's first, which we all call "Green Baby".  Why, you might ask?  Because it's wearing a green outfit, of course! 

    Gracie - Let's hear it for clean clothes and dishes!  I managed one load of clothes this morning and put away the clean dishes from last night.  That will be the extent of my cleaning...

    Kristy - Hope you're doing o.k.  Yes, thank goodness for the Olympics or I would be renting movies by the dozen.

    Otter - Wow.  25 cents an hour!?  The going rate now is $5-10 p/hour.  For us, it's $10 because we have two kids.  I told older dd she needs to get certified in a couple of years (yes, they can get a certificate in babysitting) so she can make some money!

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