Anyone starting Chemo in August 07?
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Hi all...
June, nice to read you, and so glad everything is normal. It sounds like your onc office is mightly disorganized. I assume it is a multiple doctors office - maybe it is worth voicing a clear complaint? I cannot compare to my experience - as I am in a different country, practices work differently, but I have never waited more than 15 min for my scheduled visits. Now, with my gyn - when I have my normal, routine reviews - yes, sometimes she runs as much as one hour late! I always ask the nurse when I arrive, so if there is a delay I can go for a walk, or catch up with my groceries (the office is in front of a large supermarket
multitasking anyone???)Nash, I guess I am as shocked about a 15 yrs old as everybody. I spy on my DD (12, soon 13), see her budding breasts and white skin and beautiful face, and try not to think about all that. I may sound calleous, but how can one believe in a god of justice, if illnesses such as this (and others) hit on a 15 years old? this is just a rethorical question, no answer expected. Of course, raising the question of my daughter health in light of my BRCA2+ is not welcomed by the medical folks... but what if???? We have a history of large, dense breasts. How would she know if there is a problem - as they will not even run the genetic tests before she is 18? I think I'll raise the question to my gyn anyway.
Harley, I know what you mean about forgetting everything. It is sometimes embarassing... I used to have a memory that I could really rely on - and now I keep forgetting things. Actually, most of the time I have absolutely no recollection! it feels as if people were talking about facts that happened in another person's life. I don't know what I can come up with as a solution, I am trying to go to meetings always with a carnet and jot down everything, but ... I am not used to it! so far my notes aren't too efficient, and I never remember to read them (haha).
Here we'll have a long week-end - monday is off. Blessed be, I need some time off, it feels like there is so much going on in my life at this point (medical follow up, work, work searches and rebuilding a career, travelling for work, looking if I want to move and where, planning for a divorce with my ex, my bf finalizing his divorce and custody agreement and doing work searches on his own... I think I am forgetting some), that some days it takes my breath away.
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Hey All,
I appreciated the feedback to my ongoing issues at the oncologistist. You know it wouldn't be such a big deal if it only happened once in a while but this is the norm for them!!!???
One thing I left out in my last post was that this practice is now drawing an additional blood test for Vitamin D deficiency. Doc said that they have discovered a direct link to D deficiency and reoccurence of breast cancer..... so they now are testing all their patients. If you are deficit you're put on a very short term dose of one pill per week for 4-6 weeks. I don't have my results back but will post when I do. So.......if you're not being tested for this with your regular blood draws ask them to do it.
best to all...
June
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June, I think I^ve read an article mentioning the link between D vit and recurrence. Why not... let us know what the docs suggest...
and, stay in the sun! it helps fix D vit in your bones... Hugs
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Hi All,
Sorry I've been out of the loop for a few days. I was on a backpacking long weekend with a friend from high school. She was the first person I ever went backpacking with 25 years ago when we were in 9th grade, and we decided it was time to go again! My calf muscles are soooo sore though!
I've been reading a lot about the vitamin D thing recently too, and I'm going to ask to have my levels tested at my next appointment. (I think I only have 2 or 3 Herceptin treatments left!! Yay!). The link seems pretty strong with BC, and living in Minnesota, we certainly don't get much sunshine in the winter. There was an article in our local newspaper today that said you could stand buck naked outside in the winter and still not get enough Vitamin D at our latitude. I'm thinking some further supplementation would be good. Even my DH thinks he could benefit just from the mood enhancement factor.
June, the wait at your onc sounds pretty abysmal. I've never had to wait that long to see the doctor. 30 minutes tops.
Nash, 15 years old is way too young for cancer. Something is seriously wrong in our world that so many people are getting cancer. I'm actually quite worried about one of my dogs now, too. She's a sweet golden retriever who has been sick for about two weeks now. Won't eat much, lethargic, occasional vomiting. Her blood work hasn't looked good, and they are now worried that it could be cancer. My other dog had a cancerous tumor removed back in March. Why the heck all this cancer? What is going on that me, then one dog, then possibly another? Also, my neighbor just had ovarian cancer, and another just had prostrate cancer. Yikes. What is in the water? Makes you wonder.
DeAnn
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Gosh, DeAnn, your poor puppies! I hope your retriever will be OK. You're right--it's bad enough with cancer and every adult on the block, but when it starts hitting the kids and the pets, one really has to start to wonder.
I asked my onc about Vit D at my last visit, and she said just to take a vitamin supplement, since we live in a sunny locale. That's interesting that your onc is actually testing everyone's levels, June. I'll bring that up with my onc next visit.
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Hey All,
A quick addition to my Vitamin D post. Doc also said that the use of sunscreen blocks most of the affect of sun exposure! D........ we can't win since skin cancers are also rampant! I don't actually use much of it except what's in my makeup unless I know I'm going to be on a boat or the beach for a while. Atlanta is very sunny and hot also Nash but I'm sure not like southern Cal.
DeAnn.....hope the puppy gets better. You know they're just like family and we worry over them just the same. I add my voice to yours and Nashs......what IS going on in our lives today to cause this epidemic of cancers in old and young alike?
Best to all...
June
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Hmm, good point about the sunscreen, June. Can't win for losing, that's for sure. Makes me want to get my blood levels tested even more now--I have an appointment in October, so will ask for it then.
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Hi Ladies,
I'm baaaaaaack. Huntington Beach is wonderful, but it's great to be home in my own little home. Where the sun doesn't wait until NOON to finally show up. Ahhh, Desert Life!
Need to weigh in on the Vit D issue. I found LOTS of good info here on this board by doing a "search" and got tons of great sites, and info. So I asked my onc to have my D3 levels checked ...mostly because i was so depressed (that's just not me, and I knew it.), and I'd read that it helped. So, YES, my D3 was at 20 and should be between 30 and ..50? something like that. (I think the test is the "25" something or other - again, it's on these boards. Do a search for Vit D3 test and it'll come up. There are two tests, and they are each for different "D"s. So make sure it's the D3. I know nothing about the D2.
(Except that it's R2's last name.
) There's something about the fact of aging also, where we aren't able to utilize the sun to produce the D as we did when we were younger, sooooooo I'm on 2,000iu's and my attitude is "me" again. June, I'm really impressed that your onc is testing everybody. Mine ordered the test, but she didn't seem like she had a thought about it for anything other than Calcium absorption assistance. I figured that she hadn't heard or read anything about it yet. I wonder if she has by now. It's definately the new hot thing. So we'll see.
Good Grief Lilith. I need a nap just listening to all the things you have going on. Who knew Switzerland could be so BUSY!
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ok. Here is a wedding pic. Just one for now until I can get the real ones from the photographer. Apparently, you PAY them, they meander around all day and take 530 great pictures, but then you have to BUY the DISC. Sheesh. I'm getting old. Back in the day, they came, shot stuff, and then gave you a book that lasted forever. One check. 25 or 30 pix.I'm looking for the one of me in "the dress". Unfortunately, I looked alot like "Grandmother-of-the-Bride"....actually, she (the grandmother) looked great...Ah well. I was THERE.
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Kaye - I am sure you looked stunning. I don't know if your avatar is from that day, but I suspect so... and you are positively radiant there. So stop beating yourself up, or rather beat yourself all the way to the photographer and find a good shot.
Your daughter looks so happy and serene - normal one would say, but I always find it very touching. I wish her such serenity and powerful feeling to last her through lifetime.
Ok back to work for me... off to the salt mines!
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Hi, girls. Can't wait to see the rest of the pics, Kaye! Your dd looks stunning, as do you in your avatar. I'm really glad you're feeling better with the D3 supplements.
I'm so tired that I'm wondering if I'm anemic. Or maybe it's my hormones gone haywire, since my body decided to reset my period. The hot flashes had stopped, but now that my period is done I'm having mild ones again. WTH? It's annoying. I also feel mildly dizzy and shaky, which made for an interesting skating lesson today. Anyhow, I'm so tired that I could lay down and take a nap at any given moment, even at 9 am. I felt this way before being diagnosed with the bc, so hopefully the fatigue and cancer are not related. Ugh.
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Wow Nash...dizzy and shakey? ...well. I hope you have the flu. (funny isn't it, how our priorities change.) The good news, if you're feeling any nausea - is something like that has been going around up here, and maybe you're close enough, geographically, to get it. Just mild on and off nausea for about 3 days. Our secretary was out for two days, one of them she was throwing up, but it only lasts about 4 days total, supposedly. I few people I know had it. I hope it's that, and that you'll be fine by TOMORROW!
DeAnn - I'm almost afraid to ask - how is your Golden? I lost the most incredible German Shepherd to cancer a few years ago. Brutal. So, yeah, I understand. Hopefully, that's not it. Listening to the history - really does make me wonder. I used to think it was that He drank out of the toilet (we kept it closed to prevent that, although the Vet said it wasn't a problem. It had less germs and bacteria than a typical water dish.) and one day the cleaning lady cleaned it with Comet, and left it open. I guess I'll never know. We had a Golden at the same time, and she was fine, and lived to be 14. He was only 8. (She was much too refined to drink out of the common toilet.)
And thanks for the kind words, gals. It's always a surprise to see what I see in a picture, when what I EXPECT to see is someone who is about....um...25?
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Well, I'm feeling better today, so I'm wondering if my malaise yesterday was just a combo of Extreme Fatigue (which is similar to, but not as interesting as, Extreme Sports) and hormone imbalances. Who knows.
Hope everyone is having a good day.
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Hi all,
I'm glad you are feeling better today, Nash. I think my hormones are a bit imbalanced too as I've been having some more odd feelings too. Of course, it could have something to do with my dog.
I really don't know what to do about my golden. We've now spent about $1600.00 on tests, and we still don't know why she is so sick. I'm hoping I'll know more tomorrow as they are going to do another blood test to check for lymphoma, but good golly, this is getting hard. Sure wish I had pet health insurance. But, she barely eats. She's lost a good 5 lbs in the last three weeks. Poor girl. I don't know if I should spend another paycheck to do more tests or just let her go gracefully.
DeAnn
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Oh, DeAnn, that's such a tough decision with your doggie. I've never had a dog, and I don't know what I would do in that situation.
How old is she? -
Ice show update--I've decided that even if I can get my rink and club on board 100% for Pink at the Rink, I don't have the time or the resources available to put on the sort of production I want to do.
So I contacted an elite male skater who skates in the Skate for Hope show, and who recently put on his own show to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (and raised $20,000!!!!). He liked doing that so much that now he hires himself out to do show production. He e-mailed me back this morning to get more details so he can tell me how much he would charge, but his time frame for availability is what I was looking at--next June or so. So I think I may be on to something. I hope his fees aren't too high, but I think it would be worth it in the long run to pay someone who knows what he's doing. Haven't figured out where I'm going to get the money yet--I thought maybe I'd approach my DH's boss and see if his work would sponsor the show.
Anyhow, I just feel like this may be the way to go. I'm friends with one of the club board members, who was going to set up a time for me to come present the show ideas to the club, but dealing with a skating club is a bit (well, OK, a lot) like dealing with an HOA, so I'm not sold on that route. Even if they were all a delight to work with, and the rink was also very cooperative, I don't know the right people in the skating community to put on a quality show. The people who have been enthusiastic about the show are as clueless as I am, and the people who are in more a position to help me aren't interested, b/c it's so much work.
I'd already mentioned the show to our skating director last month, who sort of made a face, said, "Shows are a lot of work," and told me to talk to the rink. Then last week I saw that the Christmas show she's directing is going to partially benefit Make a Wish, which I found sort of irritating, b/c it could have just as easily partially benefitted bc.org, too. Anyhow, I'm babbling, sorry. I'm just excited that I may be on to something with hiring someone to execute all this.
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Sigh. I had to take my sweet golden girl into the vet today to say goodbye. So, there is my downer for the day. Sorry to rain on anybody's sunny day. The weather here is, appropriately, gray and overcast. She still wouldn't eat, and I've just seen her wasting away before my eyes. I asked her this morning if she was ready to go, and I got this overwhelming feeling back that she was ready to end it. It was a very peaceful end for her, and I know I made the right decision, but gee whiz, it ain't easy. She would have been only seven years old next month.
You know, I cried more this past week than I ever did during my entire diagnosis and treatment. I guess I have an insight now into how my family felt watching me go through all of this. It's almost easier when it is happening to you because you know how you feel and you understand how much you are willing to fight.
One kind of funny thing - they asked me if I wanted a lock of her hair. Frankly, I've been awash in golden retriever hair for six years now (and still have another one at home so that won't end anytime soon). I told her all I really needed to do if I wanted some of her hair was take a lint brush to the couch or open up the vacuum cleaner bag and I would have more than I would know what to do with! Just struck me funny that for some people that would be an important memento, when for me it just reminds me of how much I have to vacuum every day.
Anyway, I will be fine, but it certainly wasn't a fun day.
DeAnn -
Oh, DeAnn, I'm so sorry. That sucks.
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Precious DeAnn....me too. Words fail. I'm so sorry.
Huge hug to you, dh, ds and Other DP (dear puppy).
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So sorry to hear about your puppy, DeAnn. For many of us, our pets are just like - or very close to - our kids... it is so obvious that the remark is trite. Even knowing the best decision has been taken - oh, it is hard to let go a beloved creature, and even more to be invested of the power of life and death. Hugs to you and all.
Nash - the idea of hiring a show manager is a good one I think... and he should also be able to crunch some numbers for you, so to make himself a valuable investment, plus he should also have good contacts. I think it is a very good move! Wow, it may really happen!!!
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DeAnn...I'm so sorry for you and your family. I know how it feels to have to let go of a cherished pet and family member. However, I'm so glad that you feel okay about knowing you made the right decision....cause it sure is a bummer. Take care of you and yours and the gloomy time will pass away to another sunny day.
Nash...great idea! I just know that you are going to put the right people and the right combination together and 'Pink in the Rink' is going to fly!!!! I so admire your determination to pursue this passion and see it to fruitation. Of course, it makes me tired listening to all that you do and I catch myself wondering if I EVER had that much energy....LOL.
Best to all...
June
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DeAnn,
I'm so sorry about your puppy!! It hurts so much when we lose one of our pets! I cried so much when I lost my first cat, Axel. He had cancer, and we had to let him go. He couldn't eat, and it hurt to see him in such pain. Remember, your puppy is waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge, and you'll be together again one day. If you have never heard about the poem, here's a link to it:
BTW, I saved my cat's whiskers!! So I guess I'm just weird...
Hi, everyone. Sorry I've been MIA lately, but between work, and scheduling the u/s for the lump I found, I haven't been around much.
The dr. ordered a mammogram by accident, so I had to call him to get that straightened out. Anyway, my u/s was last Thurs., and it was uneventful. The tech who did the u/s was very nice, and so sweet!
I go back to see my surgeon on Oct. 7, because of the mix up with the mammo, and u/s, I was supposed to go on Oct 10, but called for an earlier appt. They wanted to give me Oct 3, but my dh and I are going to Cocoa Beach to see some friends this weekend. My surgeon only has office hours Tues & Fri, so I'll have to wait til Oct. 7.
Nash,
Pink in the Rink sounds like a great idea!!
Kaye,
Your pic looks great!! I can't wait to see the rest of the wedding pics!!
Love,
Harley
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Hey Harley
I know how you feel about people's insensitivity to breast cancer. Last week the cashier at the grocery store asked me if I wanted to donate to breast cancer while I was sweating in my wig nauseous from the smells of food, just three days after my third chemo treatment. It pissed me off and I said I am paying for it with my insurance and am struggling with it right now and no I already wrote my check for the amount!!! She just looked shocked and I said sorry it is painful and she just looked at me with her mouth wide open. I go lucky as 3 of my friends became my support system and helped me get through some of the roughest spots including 3 surgeries and deciding to do chemotherapy. My sister-in-laws were at best polite but never really offered help. Which shows the best sometimes comes out in some people when the worst happens. And just remember to have faith this may seem the worst but someday you can look back and see your strength. Then you can maybe someday return the favor and hug someone who has to go down this long hard road called breast cancer. Sending you a cyber hug!! and a prayer.. hang in there
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Hey DeAnn - do you have a pic of your Golden you could post? I'd love to see her. (And I"ve got one of mine who died about a year prior to my dx.)
If you think thats a bad idea - I"ll understand. It's been long enough since Zoey's been gone that I can look at a pic and not fall apart...timing might not be right for you yet..please forgive me for being insensitive, if that's the case.
In other news: I had my colonoscopy today. All went remarkably well, nothing of note except a little diverticulosis - the worst part was drinking that salty-plastic-tasting stuff, and even that wasn't as bad as i'd heard. No, ladies, the bad part was that after having nearly NOTHING to eat TWO days, before, and NOTHING to eat at all the DAY before i didn't lose even ONE STINKIN' POUND. Count them. None. Nada. Zip. Boy, was that irritating. I was so excited, I thought I'd drop at least 2 pounds.
sheesh.
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Kaye - I know what you mean... one could almost - mark my words, almost - be looking forward such test - IF at the end there were a couple of pounds lost. Instead, yuk - one feels bad, has cramps on and off all day, drinks a foul-tasting drink... and in the end, nothing.
BUT - congratulation on the completion of the exercise!!! that is brilliant.
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Thanks Lilith.
It was easy. I could do it with my eyes closed. Laying down.
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LOL!
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Glad your colonoscopy is finally done. YEAH! You won't have to do it again for 10 years, right?? I also had diverticulosis, but my surgeon said that everyone gets it as they get older... I wanted to yell, HEY I'M NOT GETTING OLD! I REFUSE!!!
The funny thing about my colonoscopy, is that while my dh and I were waiting in the little room they put you in before the procedure, we were watching TV... Guess what my very wonderful dh was watching?? THE FOOD NETWORK!!! I was SO hungry, and he was watching all these cooking shows!!
Hope everyone is doing great today!
Harley
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That's funny, Harley! I hate watching Food TV at night when I'm hungry, and that's when I could eat if I really wanted to. Can't imagine if I were fasting, right before someone was going to root around in my innards.
My CT showed diverticulosis, which I thought was weird b/c I'm certainly not old (none of us are), and I eat fruits, veggies, whole grains, etc. Maybe it's more common in younger women than the docs realize. I think it's stupid of them to chalk it off to advancing age when we're not old by any stretch of the imagination. Heck--I had a weird spot of skin on my bad bood right before I was diagnosed with bc that just wouldn't heal (liike, for seven months wouldn't heal), so I went to the dermatologist b/c I thought I had skin cancer or something. She said, "It takes longer to heal as we get older". I wanted to smack her, being 38 at the time. Funny enough, the spot healed up just fine once I was on chemo, so I really think it had something to do with the bc. In fact, she had even paused for a moment while looking at it, asked, "have you had a mammo done?", and when I said yes, and the mammo was fine (HA! Who knew?), she seemed relieved. So in the back of her mind I think she thought bc, and actually was right. Alas.
Anyhow, Harley, I'm eager to hear the results of your u/s. Keep us posted.
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Hi Ladies,
Sorry I haven't been in the loop lately. Just running around to doctor appointments-as usual. Funny, when I had my colonoscopy they said I had diverticulosis too. I guess we all have that in common too now. My internal med doctor says we all have it!!. Anyway, glad everyone seems to be doing okay. Harley, I hope your u/s is okay. Kaye, you are too funny. Nash, sound like a great idea with the ice skating. FYI, I don't care where or when it is but I will be there. DeAnn, so sorry about your puppy. That's so sad. Lilith, hope all is working out with your job hunting. June, Angie....hugs to you both. I hope I didn't leave anyone out.
I am going tomm to get my new FOOBS....BOOBS....whatever they are. I can't wait to get these skin expanders out and my new girls in. I hope this is the last surgery I have to have for a while because I'm about done now!!!! Aren't we all?? Anyway, I hope to be in la la land for a few days with the pain meds. I used to hate taking any meds but now they're my new friends (remember Scarface..."say hello to my little friend") that's what dilaudid will be to me for the next few days. I will write as soon as I can.
Hugs,
Jackie
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