Starting Chemo May 2008

Noelle - I forgot to ask . . . did you get to meet Candice??  Divine Design is my absolute favorite HGTV show . . . I debated on sending an application to have her come finish my basement.  I wanted to get the exercise room finished (after diagnosis), but figured she is out of my price range.  Sounds like you had fun.

ranD - In regards to your vicitin. On the website of the makers of the drug did you know an adverse reaction can be respiratory depression?

On webmd listed under Infrequent SE's was:

Collapsed Portion of Lung

Significant Decrease in Lung Function

Bronchospasm

Trouble Breathing

Just passing along because I wonder if it is making your lung problem worse.

Roxi I must confess it is NOT because I have a good memory, I don't. First I had a list with everyone's name on my desk in front of me. That was to make sure I didn't miss anyone. Next I opened up my word and started typing there. I kept going back to thread to catch up with what each of you have said there or said over at FB. Then I copied and pasted on the thread. You see I cheated.

Edited to say:

You see I had a lot of spare time this morning. Grandson didn't spend his usual Friday night sleeping over at Mom-Mom's. He had a sleepover at a friends instead (I lost out to a friend ). Anyway when I woke up this morning he was not here and DH was still sleeping. Instead of drinking my morning coffee looking at my wall I got to play on the computer and write to you instead.

Karin called me yesterday!  YAY!  She had news on our project to discover the reason post-chemo hair grows back curly.  (I'll let her explain it.)  I was all excited and squeaky when she called, because, well, ... that's just how otters are.

And, Karin, thanks for supplying the tank brigade.  That's what it might take, to dislodge ranD's doc.  I, too, have been very fortunate--my cancer docs (and my PCP) have been caring, competent people.  My only complaint is that my surgeon and my onco are so "by the book"--they won't deviate from the ASCO/NCCN standards.  So, I'm not getting breast MRI's for screening, even though mammos can't see through the dense tissue in my remaining breast; and so far, nobody will spring for Zometa for me.  (Not so sure that last one is a bad thing, given what I've been reading lately about high dose, long-term bisphosphonate therapy.) 

And, I am extremely lucky and so grateful for my health insurance plan.   Sure, they balk at the non-standard stuff (re: the MRI and Zometa I mentioned); but otherwise they've been wonderful.  Not so bright sometimes, like when I called them to find out what my coverage was for "lymphedema compression sleeves", and the customer service person never did figure out what I was talking about.  She suggested that I find out what the insurance code was for LE garments and call her back.  <sigh>

I am so ready for spring.  It's almost here, where I live.  The wild plum and pear trees are blooming already, and the daffodils were blooming nearly a month ago.  These are in our yard, on the south side where they get lots of sun:

Y'all come down and visit, okay?

Hugs and kisses...

otter 

Otter you beat me to it! I noticed spring is on its way to my house today. My daffies are JUST starting to peek thru the dirt. I felt like a kid on cmas at that point. New spring, new hopes, new life :O)

ranD I forgot to mention about the anxiety. It sounds like the vicodin might be the culprit. It can affect the central nervous system, anxiety was listed under that.

Hope you and Bob get a good nights rest tonight so you can deal with the packed house tomorrow. Enjoy the visit with your younger brother. Well really with all but especially him. Sending you some mental oxygen to help you breath better tomorrow.

Edited to say: What I meant to say is everything you've been going through now is reason enough for anxiety but the vicodin might be contributing to the level of which you are suffering.

May 2008 stowaway, lurker, fan and admirer here.  Take a look at the You Tube clips on Jade Goody.  Breaks my heart.  I find it sad that she's being criticized by some in the UK for capitalizing on her cancer.  Spoken like a true American I know but people want to know what's happening and she has two sons she's leaving behind.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=jade+goody

Hugs to all.

Congratulations to the proud mom on her daughter's accomplishments.

Cris~ congrats to your dd!!!!!!

Kristy~ Ya know I've seen that paint here at the school supply store. That's an idea. The only color he remains steady on is the red, the other walls change daily. He does have a thing for lightening mcqueen and they have a color scheme for that. But I've been trying to get him away from it. Maybe just race car in general. Too bad I can't get him to go for lego scheme... that I can do lol. And btw... we need a new av of you dearie, get on it chop chop LOL.

waves at julie, karin, renee and all the other lurkers :O)

Everybody must be at work this morning..... Happy Monday!

This will be an uninspired post.  I am enjoying the discussion of home improvements.  Me? I bought two throw pillows today. And did I mention I'm going to have 7 of my new colleagues over for dinner on Thursday?  I have cooked dinner for more than two people about 4 times in my entire life.  Yes, I can hear those of you with families chortling now.  I like to have parties, but I do not like to cook.  (Karin -- what was that salad you mentioned?  I can't remember where I saw it, and now I can't find it!  I just remember "mandarin oranges...")

My menu will be "halal" since at least one of my guests is Muslim.  (I confess, I had to look up what Muslim dietary restrictions are! Basically, vegetarian.) After dinner, we're going to play games.  Oh, I hope this works. I hope this works.

xo 

MMMMM karin you are making me hungry!!!

*wonders if she has those fixins in the fridge*

Jen - those fixings are considered staples in this house, always some on hand.

Rock - N/P your welcome.

What the feck, yesterday there were technical problems on this site for about a half hour or so and I couldn't get through. I kept getting sent to page explaining technical issues on Discussion boards and please enjoy the rest of the site until these issues are resolved. Now I can't get on to FB.

Karin - are we too late for dinner?  The salad sounds yummy.  It sounds easy.  I know how to cook, I just don't like to cook and my degree is in Home Ec.  Oh well.  My husband does the serious meals and I do basic stuff.  He has a really goofy schedule where he works night for a few days, has a few days off and switches to days, has a few days off and then back to nights.  At some point in there he is supposed to have 7 days off.  My kids don't like a lot of stuff so each schedule change brings menu changes.  My kids would eat the mandarin oranges in the above salad and that's about it.  My mom was so impressed last week when I told her I had my Friday and Saturday meals planned.  The glow faded when I told her we were going to a spaghetti supper at the high school on Friday and a chili supper at my 10-yo's grade school on Saturday.  Hey, I had to buy the tickets.  And two random ground beef dinners in one weekend - who could ask for more?

It's been quiet on here today.  Hope everyone is doing okay.

RanD - hope you had a weekend of love and pampering with your family.

Cris - you are such the proud momma.  That is so exciting when your good accomplish something they've been working hard at.  I tried to get my 13-yo to go out for 7th grade track.  Not interested.  My 10-yo is opting out of anything she gets the chance to.  Sometimes I wish the teachers didn't give them choices. It's a young author program and we are trying to change her mind for her.  All of the other years, it hasn't been an option.  She is a very creative person and would be good at this.  My 13 year old is a Katie and I'm just using the excuse that she is 13 for everything.  My 10 year old is Riley and I use the whole birth order thing to explain her.

Jen - painting sounds like fun.  We painted Katie's room a medium purple color a few years ago by ourselves.  I'd like to paint one wall in my bedroom a deep plum/eggplant color but can't get the buy in or help from dh.

Rock - your party sounds fun.  Somehow I just imagine that any party you throw is fun and interesting no matter what you serve.

Kristy - did you survive the weekend with the meals and helping at concession stands?  We aren't quite that involved in things yet.  I could have helped at above mentioned chili supper, but am still kind of tired and those things wipe me out.

I did have my follow up appointment last Thursday and I'm good for another 3 months.  So I'll have a mammo that will be a 6 month one.  I'm feeling a little better about everything.  My CA 27.29 (thanks Otter for your helpful info) came back low so I feel good about that, too.

Hope everyone else is having a non-sucky week and that it is warming up wherever it needs to.

Kerry - thanks for the cultural and geography lessons.  I feel like I'm back in school - in a good way.

Angels - 10 days to Disney!  That sounds like fun.  How long will you be gone?  My husband is trying to get his time off arranged for Myrtle Beach in May.  I'm getting excited.  I think everyone here put their regular life and plans on hold all last year.  My girls didn't understand why we didn't take a big vacation.  They did stuff, just not always with all of us, or we did little trips in the area.  It will be good to get away.

Julie

Cris....give her a kiss from me!

Okay, went to ER today to get the lungs drained before Thursday chemo.  I have been feeling really tight and SOB.  First miracle, the ER nurse got an IV in the first time, drew 6 tubes of blood so she had enough, ten tests came back showing platelets still low(81) and WBC on the uptick at 2.5.

Butm my pressure was high and so was my pulse. They took an xray and .....drum roll....right lung is same or a little less and left one is filling, but not enough to cause problems.  WHO HOOOO!!!!!

So, hope you all are fine and thanks for the prayers.....

now I want to paint....

randie