Starting Chemo May 2008

A new ironing board cover - oh, I am *SO* jealous.  I want one, too.  Maybe I should ask Santa?  (giggle)

 Karin, what an extraordinary story.  What an extraordinary person you are.

I'm also trying to figure out what's with the colonoscopies.  I'm hoping to avoid one until I turn 50 (in 2.5 years).  I had to do a similar prep once for a sigmodoscowhatsis, and I hated it.  I wish there were a way they could knock you out for the prep as well as the procedure.

Rock, so very, very glad for the all-clear.  A little worried about your weight loss, though.  (Though, let's see - you've had cancer, you've had various bad things happen to people you care about, you've got a book out, you're preparing for a trans-Atlantic move . . . gee, do you suppose stress could possibly be a factor?)

I've been a little scarce on this board because of a crush of work, but I try to check in regularly even if I don't post.  And when I don't check in, I still think of all of you.

Linda

Good Morning Ladies!

Karin, so glad to hear from you!  You are really great with kids and I'm sure that that little girl will remember you forever.  So touching!  Did I say I am glad that you are back?

Sorry to hear about all the colonoscopies!  I'm not due one for another year-get one every 3 years!

Kerry-yes--I am jealous about the ironing board cover-I've been thinking about getting one for a long time, but since I haven't worked since April, the ironing board has stayed put up.

Jen-I'll bring my molds to the chocolate covered cherry making party next year!

Christmas cards going in the mail today. 

PET/CT scan today-I just can't wait--actually I can, but might as well get it over with.  I think it bugs me because it brings back not so fond memories of the beginning of this BC crap, but I keep telling myself that this signifies the beginning of the END of it all.

Happy Monday Everyone!

Kerry -- CONGRATULATIONS ON THE IRONING BOARD COVER!!!! THAT IS FABULOUS NEWS!!! (as is news that the move is nearly complete, too!  It's just that I'm trying to pack and feeling a teensy bit overwhelmed so am focusing on the ironing board cover.)

Colonoscopies are the new mammogram, apparently.  I have an appointment for an exam and consult (involving two enemas) on Thursday.  The colonoscopy will follow on December 23rd. Nothing says "merry christmas" like a colonoscopy, that's what I always say!!  Right along with "It wouldn't be the holidays without ..." well, never mind.

Gracie, Jen, Nicole and everyone else who is getting tests or waiting for results -- keep us posted!!!!! And as you hop on the table or slide into the tube, know that we're with you.  (Otter, while I am not thrilled about having to have a colonoscopy, I honest-to-god thought of you as soon as my onco brought it up, and I felt comforted immediately.  I know that "colonoscopy, thought of you" does not sound like a compliment of the highest order, but I swear it is.) 

Peeps:  Holiday cards.  I'll love 'em if I get 'em. But I also would be honored if you didn't send me one because I would know that you knew I'd understand if you didn't.  (Did that make sense? Kind of like when someone is a good enough friend that I don't clean my apartment -- much -- before they come over.)  I bet a lot of us feel that way. WE ARE A NO-GUILT, ANYTHING GOES SISTERHOOD.  (Could you throw that in our by-laws, Kristy?!)

Enormous hugs to all of you. 

This thread has been pretty active lately ... I had to take notes to keep up with it all.

Gracie/Jackie, hang in there.  Let us know how your PET/CT goes today--we'll be there with you, but we won't be able to see the report because of HIPAA regulations.  Those chemo SE's will fade away eventually.  Sorry to hear about your nails giving way--I just can't figure out why there is so much variation in the effects of chemo.  I hope the other problem you're having (okay, the diarrhea) has subsided by now.  I had it pretty bad with each round of Taxotere & Cytoxan.  In fact, I figured after that, a colonoscopy prep wouldn't be so bad.

Speaking of colonoscopies:  mine was scheduled at the urging of my PCP. He started pressuring me a year ago, mostly because I had reached the ripe age of 55 and had managed to stay under the colonoscopy radar.  Not sure why he thought it was so important--he didn't ask my family history, and I hadn't complained of any GI problems. "They" do recommend screening starting at age 50 in the U.S.

My PCP did ask if I'd ever had any GI bleeding, and I confirmed occasional hemorrhoids (see--me too, Kristy!).  That made him happy (!), because he could order a "diagnostic colonoscopy" for "GI bleeding" and my insurance would cover it. My insurance doesn't pay for them just for screening purposes.  So, after fully recovering from chemo, I gave my PCP the okay to schedule mine.  The final dx from my colonoscopy was ... (drum roll):  hemorrhoids. 

Karin, I didn't mention this earlier, but your response to that 2nd-grader's "hair discomfort" was the most touching story I've read in a long time.  Talk about mentoring!

Cristine, if the reason you didn't sign up on the May 2008 mailing list was because you wanted to skip the card thing, don't worry about that.  If you're comfortable with revealing your address, please wait until after the holidays and then send Jen your contact information.

Lauren, hi!  Stop by any time.  Join us regularly, if you want.

Kerry, you go, girl!  I can't imagine moving again.  We moved 10 years ago, when we built this house.  We've vowed to die here, rather than move again.  Ironing board cover?  I'm trying to remember what one of those looks like ...

Kristy, sorry to hear about the "STAT" MUGA (or maybe it was a good thing?).  I hope the results were okay.  Three sticks?? At least they declined your left arm, just like they're supposed to do.

Rock, people lose weight when they're stressed, right? Maybe you haven't been eating as much as you had been, pre-BC.  Oh, there has to be a no-big-deal reason for all this. Good thing to get 'scoped, just to be sure.  And, I can honestly say that my colonoscopy was no big deal. That's in retrospect, of course. 

Sorry this is so long.  Hugs to everyone, and cheers to those who've finished cards and shopping already.

otter 

Jen, that's funny:  "I just ended up slimey and squished."

I had my first ultrasound in January--that was the imaging method that first showed my tumor.  I did like the U/S, though:  lying there in a dark room while someone smeared warm jelly on my boobs. Heh heh...

And, you are right--some mammo techs are a lot more careful with the squishing than others.  The tech at the OB/GYN clinic where I used to go (locally) was oh, so careful, but it still hurt like heck.  The tech at the local hospital where I went once when the regular place had a 3-month wait time was oh, so brutal--she was actually cruel.  It was almost as if she enjoyed hurting me.  Not really--I think she just didn't give a damn and I could have been a sofa cushion for all she cared.  The flatter, the better.

And then there are the techs at the breast center where they dx'd my BC.  They are angels!  They are so very careful and gentle, and they apologize constantly while they're doing the squishing.  When I went there for my 6-month post-op mammo, the tech said, "Oh, this is good news!  We only have to do ONE SIDE, so this will be really quick!".  I was equally happy, since I'd heard sometimes they try to do the skin on the mast side and then I would have to kill someone.  And, even though the tech was funny and light-hearted about it, she, too, was very gentle.

Mammos.  Colonoscopies.  PET/CT scans.  Ultrasound.  MUGA scans.  Does it ever end?  (Don't answer that.)

otter 

Wow is right.  I think Rock summed it up stating that the colonoscopies are the new mammogram.  I am in the "pup" club with Jen and Roxi.  I do have some GI bleeding, but I STILL have the anal fissures to thank for that.  Lovely.

Lots of tests going on, keep us posted!

I had my 3 month with my onc last Monday.  All my counts are still low, onc decided that she was not overly concerned by them.  I have another visit in 3 months, but they scheduled my blood work for a week before the appt rather than same day.  Hmmm, that has me wondering. 

Kristy - I talked to the onc about the test to metablize taxomifen (thank you for sharing that valuable piece of information).  She indicated that they do not test, because I am pre menopausal and my only other option is to have the ovaries removed (fine by me if necessary).  Can you tell me what type of test you had, how long you were on Tamoxifen before tested, how long to get results? 

Karin - That was a beautiful story and it is great to see you back!!

Christmas cards this weekend!

Jean

Oh, I forgot (damn chemo!)...I'm sending you all telepathic Christmas cards right now - poof!

It's 3:30 am. I'm THEES close to calling Noelle and seeing if she's/you're still awake but I have a girlfriend staying over and don't want to wake her up.  Cris, if we were neighbors, I'd say, "Haul the applications over here" and we could go through them. (I still remember Sue offering to help me proofread my book back in June/July!)

xoxoxo to all of you.  

Morning All!

I tried to post last night, world but the cyber world took over and it went somewhere.......

Scans went well yesterday, only stuck twice.  Did have to go to 2 seperate facilities for each test.  Had them both done at the same place last time.  (It is all a part of the hospital, so it's no biggie)  Now to wait for the results.

DH has appt with a pulmonologist this morning-finally.  Been trying to get him to go for years.  HIS pcp just isn't managing the COPD the way I would like, so...........off to a new doc we go.  Then I go to the onc for my labs.  If counts are good, I may try to get a little shopping done.

Cris-I was just explaining to DH last night how the side effects can rear their ugly heads for months, or longer after chemo!  Long story.  I am (sorta) looking forward to going back to work, but that will be after rads!

Love to all!!!

sorry, this Vid too for Curly Hair.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtnLEHCQ8iA

 N

Like so many of us April Chemo folks, I 've been lurking on your thread too. I just want to affirm that Noelle's curly hair stuff is amazing. I had 3 little girls with fuzzy heads until I saw an ad for the book "Curly Girl". It changed their lives! And now with my chemo curls in robust bloom, I am using their products too.

(Hey Lauren, Otter, Noelle. . .)

Finally back from the doc visits.  Onc says that port stays in until she gets my scan results, then will make appt for rads onc too.  WBC is 1, so no shopping today.  Everyone may get IOU's for Christmas this year. 

Noelle--soap making is fun--I love trying different ways to make swirls!  Haven't made any in awhile.  I am hoping that hair grows back in curly--Mine was wavy before chemo, lost my curls after having kids. 

Roxi, you wake up in the middle of the night and your fingers are numb?  I have three words for you:  carpal tunnel syndrome.

What you're describing is exactly the way it developed in my right hand:  I would wake up after sleeping on my right side, and my thumb, index finger, and middle finger would be all tingly and numb.  That happened quite suddenly, and got worse every night.  Most days it would get better once I was up and moving around, but I noticed some days the numbness lingered.

After some google research, I decided to ask my PCP about it at my next scheduled visit (routine meds recheck unrelated to BC).  I had come up with carpal tunnel syndrome as a possibility; and since I started on Arimidex in late June, I was alert to the possibility of tendon/ligament problems.  My PCP did some quick diagnostic maneuvers, and declared that I was right--it was CTS.  He explained a bit about what was going on, including why it was worse for me at night than during the day.  He gave me a prescription for a wrist brace, which I bought that day at a local orthopedic supply place.  I wear the brace at night, and it has almost completely eliminated the tingling and numbness.

When you see your new doc tomorrow, ask about it.

Hugs,

otter 

Hey All, Just popping in to say Hi to all you ladies. I've missed chatting with those of you who remember me. It's good to see everyone crossing that river as you say. What an awesome group of ladies you all are!

Thanks Sue for hooking me up on FB. Hope your retirement will be all you wish for!!

Seasons Greetings to Everybody!!!

Noelle-WARNING--soap making can become an addiction!  We also use the CP method-room temp with discounted water.  If you ever have any questions, just give me a holler-we have some of the first soaps we made from several years ago and they are awesome.  The longer it cures, the better it is.  DH is the actual soap guru-I'm just the grunt!  We have made several good friends through soap making.   I'd like to come up there and slap that nurse myself, glad that she was reprimanded.  And very happy that your son had a great birthday!

Onc hasn't mentioned the test for tamoxifen metabolism--I'll have to ask her about it when I see her next week.