Starting chemo January 2009?

Alo, I'm with you.  I actually told myself a little exercise every day and I can't gain more then 5 lbs throgh the whole thing, but deep inside really hoping to keep the weight stable.  The no taste thing really doesn't help.

Diane, chemo Sally, that cracked me up

Good morning, Jewels!

Wow, it's been a rough week but I'm FINALLY feeling NLS (not like sh$t) today...thank goodness. 

Sometimes it just takes a couple little things to turn my 'tude around.  For starters I was able, for the first time since surgery, to sleep on my stomach last night!  Hooray!  It makes such a difference.  It was weird at first but then I was really comfortable.

Second, when I was driving my 4-year old to school this morning the song "Daydream Believer" by the Monkees came on the radio.  She LOVES that song, as do I, and we sang it on the top of our lungs.  I swear the bad mood, menopausal grumpiness and fears were just instantly replaced by happiness and an overwhelming sense of well-being.

I hope everyone else is doing ok today.  Take care of yourself and feel good!

Diane

Hi Ladies,

Just to let you know that today it's Day 4 after first Taxol (out of four) and I'm feeling almost normal. My neck is a little bit painful but that's it! I'm ready for the second tx.

March is coming soon....

 Christian

had my very last AC yesterday. halfway through chemo!  but this last AC was by far the worst experience i have ever had. i don't know if it's because of the "cumulative" (there's that word again) effect of the AC or the fact that for the first time i took Emend, which my doc prescribed because of the queasiness after AC #3.  but all day yesterday and last night i felt like i had the worst carsickness/hangover/flu all in one. i honestly wanted to die. but i'm not taking Emend anymore, that's for sure. $100/pill! i'm already taking kytril and compazine for anti-nausea. today i feel much better, although still lousy. in an hour i go get my neulasta shot, so i know i'll feel like i'm under a truck for the next two days, even with the claritin.  on to taxol in two weeks.

good news! san francisco magazine has interviewed me about my photography and how my mastectomy photos and blog have motivated women all over the world to write to me and tell me they've gotten mammograms because of my experience. i've been trying to spread the word through my photography, since i'm a professional photographer. the article will be published in april 2009.  here's my site: www.flickr.com/photos/oceanbornstudios/ - they will be printing several of my regular photos (in the portfolio set) and almost all the mastectomy photos (you can see those at the end of the set).  an online french newspaper has also interviewed me and is publishing all my mastectomy photos on their site within the next few weeks.  i'm so glad i can help other women!

ddlatt: what gorgeous photos! Congrats on the very impressive and well deserved attention and publicity. You go girl!

ddlatt - great news on the magazine and blog.  Your photos and commentary are beautiful.  Congratulations.

Ddlatt-Congratulations. Please let me know when the mag is coming out. Is that the one that comes to kqed subscribers? Wow, seeing the photos of the mountains and Ocean Beach makes me NEED to get out and enjoy. I go to the mountains for rebirth, and haven't been since last Aug.

So important to get the word out. Mammograms do catch MOST problems, but in women with dense breasts can be much less reliable (I've read diffierent stats--50-70%). My June 08 mammo missed all 3 of my tumors, and my nurse pract. in Sept. felt only one of the small ones (1.3 cms at the time). I don't want to change the focus of your work, which is so IMPORTANT, but I wonder if if this could be worked into the piece. One of my mammogram techs mentioned to me that they are beginning to recommend MRIs for women like me with "busy breasts."

 Anyhow, you are courageous and gifted. I hope to see the article soon!

Re: Taxol--just had my first today (of 12). Since I'm doing weekly, I don't take steroid pills, just get some in the prechemo IV (decadron, kyril, benadryl). That takes an hour. Then, since this was my first, the drip the 1st 20 minutes VERY slowly to see about allergic reaction. Then they speed in up for another hour. It might take up to 3 hours if you are going every 2 or 3 weeks. I'm also doing avastin/placebo so that takes me an extra 1/2 hour.

You did it--number 4 AC done!

ddlatt - beautiful and heart warming photos. Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent.  I too am starting Taxol soon.  Mine will be a low dose for 12 wks. I will ask tomorrow when I go in for blood work, how much Taxol, what other drugs I am getting and how long my visits will be. 

I am up at 1:30 am.  blah

ddlatt- your photos are beautiful and aspiring. My last a/c is next Fri. Taxo starts March 6th. Can't wait. ugh.

 . I'm actually back to normal after #3 did me in this week. I'm going to run some errands. Its raining here but its quite warm about 50 degrees. I know, some of you have it made where you live but living in northeast Ohio. We take what we can get.

everyone have a great weekend.

ddlat - thank you for sharing you wonderful talent with us and congrats on the magazine coverage.  How exciting. 

I would be feeling great if it were not for this apparent siatica issue.  Every time I move from sitting to standing you would think I was 90 year old.  DH winces watching me.  But I did get DS to school in time for his gym class today, barely.  Tonight DH and I have a date.  A museum tour wit his alumni group and dinner.  Do we try to find something I think I might taste or just let him choose what he likes since I am likely to get nothing out of it?  Hmmmm.

I need to bake some humantashen cookies with DS this weekend for purim and we have a purim celebration family thing at the community center we just joined and an invite to join some friends at the aquarium (free passes) both on Sunday.  

DS(age 5) is definately worried about what my  hair will look like when it grows back.  He was and has been fine with my losing my  hair and going bald. That was apparently interesting.  But the fact that I might look different when it grows back bother him.  At least he commented to me that he hopes it grows back the same, and the fact that he said anything means he is thinking about it alot.  I asked him if he would still love me if I looked different.  He gave me a look like I was nuts or something and said in an "everyone knows tha" kind of tone  "mommy...love doesn't change!" 

Renrel--Your son is so sweet! He should write that out for you to frame--maybe put a picture of you two in, maybe with your different hair dos. He is so wise beyond his years. You have a poet on your hands! And Diane--You have a little singer! I didn't know they still played Monkeys songs. Definiately dating myself, but in elementary school we all took Monkey roles (and of course Beetles too). and rocked out.

CIL--GOOD LUCK with treatment today.

BevR-1/2 way--yeah!!

Well--at my next treatment next week I'll be half done--10 more Taxols (then radiation after a 2 week break). I think I may have some of my summer free!

HUGS to all.   kim

I learned yesterday that my request for (much) more time off was approved.  Nobody messed with me while my job status was in limbo an actually, they have been surprisingly accommodating. Job stress over.  Much ado about nothing and another major monkey off my back thank goodness.  I told Mr. Man my feelings were hurt that he isn't trying harder to go to chemo with me.  He heard me and offered his sister's services. It's OK.  There is a fair amount of money behind the work he does, he doesn't get any sick time for himself and he is relied upon a lot.  His heart is in the right place and he understands (with some help and prodding).  His sister has time and will help so that works.  I'm glad I told him.  I even managed to shed a tear which I seldom do with him.  That's a personal triumph.      

Hope the jewels are all shining brightly today.   

Yearofthehat- Yeah for job stress gone and yeah for you finding the courage to share your feelings with the Man.  Glad he was able to hear you and find a way to meet your needs.  I am also glad that you are understand enough to be flexible in how your needs are met and to understand where he is coming from.  Sounds like you have a good relationship.

The museum and dinner were nice this evenng.  DS had a lot of fun with his babysitter.  She is only 13 but took a babysitting class and has younger siblings which helps make up for age. On the plus side she charges much less than the older teens and will be available for much longer and it will be a while before she is dating and has her scheduled filled with teen activities.  

We have a busy weekend planned.  Tomorrow I need to bake for Purim and Sunday we have a Purim family event in the morning and an invite to join friends at the aquarium in the afternoon. I am going to make the most of my "good weekend" before going in for T/C #3 on Wednsday.  I am feeling fine today other than the sciatica issue.  My chemo angel sent me a yoga mag which as some position for sciatica.  I have not had a chance to look at them yet. 

Woohoo!!!  I am enjoying my last few days before my infusion on Wednesday!  Off to see Jimmy Buffet in the Waikiki Shell.  Next weekend, well that's another story I'm sure. 

Enjoy Purim , Renrel.  It's one of my favorite hoildays...I love poppy seed Hamentashen the best!!

Enjoy your weekend too Holtbolt!!!!  We'll be in the same boat next week!