Starting Chemo May 2008

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

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SABLE. OUR LITTLE SISTER.  HURRAY!!!

    Thanks for the good wishes, everybody.   I'm being kind of cautious until the chemo has actually happened (and I tend to think of it as chemo being done "for now" where I'm concerned) but I have my fingers crossed! Looking forward to all of us being done.

    Adrienne? A big hug, then we're gonna hang on and jump (into a gorge in Vermont? onto a rope-swing that swings across a river?) yelling CHEMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

    Love to all of you. 

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  • familyroks
    familyroks Member Posts: 575
    edited August 2008

    (((Rock))) - my fingers and toes are crossed for you.  I can understand your caution.  I will be more comfortable once today is actually done.  I know you have concerns going forward.....You've had quite the journey leading up to today and you have some things ahead of you, I know.  But celebrate today.  You have OH SO earned it. 

    Rope swing here we come!!!  CHEMOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited August 2008

    Jen,

    It's officially your Birthday now so its time for the cake.

    MySpace Happy Birthday Comment: 4

    Enjoy the day, Karin

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  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2008

    Happy birthday to me

    Happy birthday to me

    I'm beating breast cancer

    happy birthday to me!!!!!!!!!!

    Who want cake??? woohooo!Cool

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited August 2008

    Rock, Adrienne,

    What do you think about this gorge?

    Otter, Noelle, Sue and myself (did I miss anyone else) will be playing on the rope swing until you arrive.

    Enjoy the day, Karin

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

    Rock,

    You're here, you're done!!!!  YEAY, you!!!!  CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON...............

    I am making you a fabulous homemade carrot cake with no SOY or vitamin E or anything that wil scare you.  I'm using organic raw sugar, organic carrots, walnuts, pineapple, flour--basically organic everything.  NO BAD STUFF. And, if you want, you get to eat the whole cake (Although knowing your generous nature you will want to share with Sable and that's okay) .  I seriously wish I could be waiting for you when you get home, bring you meds and a cool cloth for your forehead, intercept your phone calls so you can rest...then we would Netflix something mindless and eat carrot cake with organic milk....

    Wishing you all these good things, my sister, my friend..and you, too Adrienne--it's so good to be done!!! Even if it's just "done for now"...it's good to be done.

    Love,

    Sue 

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited August 2008

    Oh Vermont, my most favourite place on earth. Just entering the state makes me weep with joy(nope, not kidding, not at all) Ladies, I will be your tour guide while you are in the Green Mountain State. I will take you to the best swimming holes and finiest restaurants!

    Rock and Adrienne we will see on the other side! I hope the day goes well for you!

     Jen, I will eat chocolate on your behalf today! Happy B-day!
     

    I am just back at work after my loading dose of Herceptin. Feel ok, maybe a slight headache. I am off to find an outfit that does not make me look fat... or bald.. for this stupid photo shoot.

     Chemooo!

     N

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  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2008

    Noelle... if you find that outfit that doesn't make you look bald... pick me up one as well LOL.

    I swear I will never wear anything on my head ever again once I have hair back. :OP

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  • Gracie713
    Gracie713 Member Posts: 302
    edited August 2008

    Rock-Adrianne----Congratulations on being done with chemo!  A major step in this journey.  You have both overcome many obsticles, with dignity and grace.  You are my inspiration. 

    Happy Birthday Jen!  Hope you are having a great one!

    WBC's back up to normal.  Hgb was above 9, said it was up to me if I wanted the Aranesp, we would discuss it again next week.  Had a good discussion about it.

    BRCA results finally back--everything negative!!!

    Thinking about all of you and hoping that everyone has a peaceful & SE free evening!

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  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited August 2008

    Congrats Rock and Adrienne!!!! I won't be joining you guys until next week. What shall I wear for the pole dance???? My onc nurses are gonna die, they think I'm crazy as it is. 

    Yeah Gracie on the BRCA results. That's such awesome news.  

    Noelle, my skin used to be very dry pre-chemo but the chemo has made it sooooo soft and a nice bronze too I might add. I can live without it though, just get through next week. I too have lost my lashes under my eyes with taxol.

    HAPPY B-DAY JEN!

    Roxi (Mary) 

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

    I posted the details over on the Road to Hell. For here, suffice it to say that I'm glad I kept my jeans on!  And women, THANK YOU.  (I thought it appropriate to wear my wig because those 3 days or so when I had to wear it, I felt kinda like a stripper.  It was just not me. But today, the wig, the heavy eye make-up . . . it seemed so right, baybee. It seemed so right.)

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  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited August 2008

    Dang girl, that's one hot mama! Rock on Rock!

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  • angelsaboveus
    angelsaboveus Member Posts: 298
    edited August 2008
    Way to work that pole Rock, Congrats your all done!   Laughing
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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited August 2008
    Work it girl, Work it!  Welcome to the other side. Cool
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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited August 2008

    Glad you are on the other side Rock! Anyone hear from Adrienne?

    Camp Recovery keeps getting more and more full! Could we have any more fun?

     Herceptin #1 kinda sucked but I am ok, more on that when I am in a better mood.....  

    Cheers everyone... Chemooooooo!

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited August 2008

    Last chemo in the morning- YEAH!!!!

    The IV is out- last treatment was 10 PM last night at the hospital room with my youngest daughter who had jaw surgery last Monday- pulled that needle as soon as I finished those flushes!

    Daughter is home and doing fine- still in a lot of pain but where expected given her major surgery. My mom is staying here tomorrow with her and the little one- the other kids are gone for the week- so everyone will be fine. SUNDAY is our "goalpost" day - she should be tons better and by Sunday afternoon I am usually coming out of the chemo and drug fog- so we are treading bravely to our Sunday date!

     No PICC line and no IV now so onc officially cleared me for water aerobics- I have spent the whole summer on a treadmill with few options due to the lines- so I can return to water aerobics now and have a little change in the routine!

    Where is the chemo group headed tomorrow? Im thinking by the Herceptin infusion (the last of the TCH cocktail) I may just go cloud jumping for that 30 minutes!

    Kristy

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited August 2008

    Adrienne,

    Hope you had an uneventful last infusion. As promised here is a stand in for you on the pole dance.

    Enjoy the day, Karin

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited August 2008

    Rock - I LOVE IT!! I knew they would be good, baybee!

     Adrienne - C'mon, girl - show us some love!

    So glad for everyone that's done-done!  I'ma comin', I'ma comin"...

    I had an okay day except for the infection I know have just above my upper lip.  When I went for my shot today, I pointed it out to the RN, who then went to ask the PA, and returned to tell me "Warm compresses and antibiotic ointment.  If it's worse tomorrow when you come, she'll look at it."  Guess what!?  It's woooorrrssee already!  I think I got it from trying to pluck a hair (damn those mediterranean genes!) with my tweezers I've had for years.  Never occured to me to actually clean them.  Duh.  But nobody else touches them (really!) and I have been using them all along.  Crap.  Maybe even a damn.  This sucker hurts.  I may be going in earlier than 4 PM tomorrow - whacha think?!  Just like Randie, I'm always right.

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited August 2008

    And just in case you were wondering, the offending apparatus has now been drenched in rubbing alcohol.

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  • familyroks
    familyroks Member Posts: 575
    edited August 2008

    I'm here, I'm here!  Thank you all.

    Rock - LOVE LOVE LOVE the photos.  You truly look MAHVELOUS!

    Me?  I chickened out.  I had my camera.  By the time all was said and done, I just wanted out.  Spent time gathering up all my belongings, along with my baking sheets, etc...Teary goodbyes to the nurses, received my complimentary bottle of sparkling water.  So gee...I didn't have a hand free to do a pole dance.  The lemon squares were a huge hit though.

    Karin - I love the stand in!!!  So much cuter than anything I could've done on my own.  Thank you!

    My inlaws are in town for a few days, so we were entertaining them after my tx yesterday.  We went out for an awesome seafood dinner, enjoyed some wine and a beautiful August evening.  The Benedryl kept me pretty tired all afternoon.  I tried to stay up to watch the Olympics but I was asleep in my recliner by 8:30.  Steroids now have me up at 2:00 am.  All in all I'd say I feel pretty damn good.  My bloodwork showed good numbers so no Neulasta..YAY.  HGB's were up so I didn't have to argue the Aranesp.  Discussed my decision on the rads with my Onc and after explaining my reasoning, he was good with my decision.  Go back in 3 weeks for bloodwork follow up and to have the port flushed.  Then I hope to have it out in the few days after that.

    Kristy - YAY!  Things are looking up!  Last chemo today....totally awesome!!  Congrats!

    Gracie - Congrats on the BRCA results!  Woohoo!

    Cristinie - So sorry about the infection...boo that.  I hope when you get up this morning you are seeing improvement.

    CHEMOOOOOOO Ladies!!!!!

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  • Gracie713
    Gracie713 Member Posts: 302
    edited August 2008

    Morning Ladies!

    Rock--you look great!  I don't think that I could even think about putting my leg up on a cabinet!  But you do look wonderful.  Congrats on no more chemo!  DH said that I should do my pole dance in an elf outfit--got a few months to work on it!

    Adrianne--Congrats to you too!  Lemon Bars sound good- and I'm not a fan of lemon. 

    Kristy-Congrats on today being your last!  I hope that all goes smoothly and se's are non-exixtant!

    Cristine-hope that you are better today.

    Woke up at 5 am having a hot flash-not fun.  Does one ever get used to them?  I really don't like having a sweaty, bald head. 

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited August 2008

    yes Gracie, you get used to the hot flashes. I sleep through the night most of the time now.

    Chemoooo to everyone!

     N 

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  • Jeano77
    Jeano77 Member Posts: 237
    edited August 2008

    That was fun to catch up on the posts.

    Rock & Adrienne:  Congrats on finishing your last chemooooo session - loved the photos Rock!!!

    Kristy - Did I read correctly that you last day is also upon us??  This is very exciting.

    Jen - Birthday greetings to you!

    Chris - I am terribly sorry for the loss of your your s-i-l.  Wishing all the best for your brother and his son.  Your in my thoughts and prayers. 

    Gracie - I have SERIOUS hot flashes.  During the day, wake up with them at night, simply all the time.  My head sweats and it feels like it is on fire.  Onc said that is completely normal.

    Sue - I will be sending positive thoughts your way for your CT scan!

    Eddie - How heavy is your Taxol?  I think I am getting 280ML, dripped in 3 hours, bi-weekly.  Eyebrows have thinned, but not losing the lashes and I just finished #3

    Roxi - Rads have been confirmed for me as well.  I start September 29th.  They are hitting the chest wall, but they are also focuses on the are directly above the breast (I has mast), stating that if they did not get all the breast tissue there, it is an area they like to focus on.  Curious to know what you heard anything similar since we live close and they both likely practice based on the finding at the Mayo clinic.

    Mom update:   Mom had a risky surgery yesterday that basically went perfect!  Although she has shown signs of improvement, she still has many complications that are leaving us feeling cautiously optimistic.  She is one tough cookie.  

    Jean

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited August 2008

    There aint no wires on me, There aint no wires on me,

    I have to get a regular Iv but there aint no wires on me!

    TCH is FINISHED!!! I have the next 3 weeks with weekly Herceptin and then it transitions to every 3 weeks. I talked to the head chemo nurse yesterday and showed her my black and blue arms from the hospital sticks and asked her to give me someone cool, calm and collected who could take their time and hit it on the first try- had a GREAT nurse today and everything went great. 72 hours and fighting off the ses and I should be home free!

    Kristy

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited August 2008

    Kristy,

    Yeah! on the TCH being done. Do you need a stand in pole dancer? I have another one with Elmo, but be forwarned he is wearing tassels.

    There is a smile on me, there is a smile on me,

    There may be a frown on somebodies mug, but there is a smile on me! (Happy 4 Kristy)

    Enjoy the day, Karin

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited August 2008

    Mary and Sue, stick with me and I will teach you how to have babysoft skin with or without chemo.

    Kristy Ann!!!!!!! hooo ray! Welcome to the banks of the river at Camp Recovery!  Adrienne? Will you make lemon bars here at camp for us? 

    I seem to be past all the Herceptin side effects. Last night I felt a little fluey after my loading dose, with a little joint/ bone pain that was reminisent of Taxol. I was tired and had a hard day at the clinic so it made me sad and weepy. 

     I had my makeup artist come in to the store today to do my makeup for the photoshoot. I hated my eyebrows, but they looked ok on camera. The woman I was shooting with gave me a BC gift pack with a pink bear in it and a bunch of other stuff. It was a nice gesture, but the bottle of Boost has soy in it, and the creams and such have parabens in them. She is on some BC support services board of directors. 

     I have only 2 eyelashes left! Woo Hoo!

    Cheers and Chemooo to y'all. 

     N 

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

    Noelle,

     only you would say "I only have two eyelashes left" followed by "WOO HOO"!!!  You have such style. Tell me more about the baby soft skin................

    YEAY to eveyone who is finishing up--Kristy , Rock, Adrienne..anybody I missed.

    Really tired today so going to nap in the recliner.no CT results yet, probably tomorrow.

    Sue 

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  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2008

    Whoa baby! you are hawt rock! Congrats on your last tx! You are another one that I have added to my "I'm jealous of" list.

    Ladies save me a lemon bar at the camp... I'm coming home soon baby!

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  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited August 2008

    Yeah Kristy on being done. Hopefully you'll be blessed with a great phlebotomist. 

    Christine, I hope your infection clears up quickly.

    Jean, praying for your mom. I'll keep everyone posted about rads after we talk next week.

    Angels, I LOVE the new avatar! 

    Ellenoire, yes please share the secret to baby soft skin. Sue and I must know. 

    Sue, crossing fingers and toes for you.

    I dropped off my wig today for a styling. I received many complements on my scarfed head. For $15 they'll wash, dry and set it. That's one thing I can honestly say I haven;t missed. Hair cuts and dye jobs. I just may keep the salt and pepper when it eventually grows back.

    I'm with Sable, save me a lemon bar, I'll be crossing over next week too! Off to watch the Olympics...

    Love ya, Roxi (Mary) 

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

    Kristy -- Hurray! 

    Jean -- Hurray! (I'm so glad your mom came through in good shape. I know there is still some worrying ahead, but boy, is that good news.)

    Mary --

    Cris - I AM sympathetic, but dag, girl, you make me laugh.

    Karin -- I look forward to pole-dancing with you on the 1 train in NYC.  In fact, wouldn't it be great if a whole bunch of us took over a subway car and whipped ourselves around the pole like the wonderful crazy broads that we are? 

    Sue -- I hope you get really tired of banging around in an empty house.  (I do love living alone.  Except those times when it would be nice to have someone fetch me a glass of water.)

    Noelle-  Photoshoot? Dooooo tell. I'm sorry if you already said and I missed it.

    Sable -- happy day after your birthday. (Cuz you ARE celebrating the whole week, I hope!)

    I'm doing rads.  Consult on Sept. 12th. Looking like the "canadian fractionalization" (5 weeks rather than 6??) and I will be laying on my stomach rather than my back for a reason that I don't recall right now but may have something to do with wanting to avoid the heart and concern about my history as a smoker? I need to ask them what the implications of that kind of radiation would be should I need a masectomy and recon down the road (recurrence). My understanding is that they would need to get tissue from my upper back because a) implants are not an option on a radiated breast and b) TRAM is not an option.  But if my upper back is getting radiated, then  what?  Hmmmmm. I need to remember to ask these questions when I go in on the 12th.  

    Calling it a night.  Sorry this is such an uninspired post.  But i'm thinking of you guys!

    xo  

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