Starting Chemo February 2009?

(((judy))) you are so strong. i can't even imagine going thru treatments while dealing with so much grief and pain. you're my hero, and your dad is firmly in my prayers.

(((kathie))), so sorry about your postponement, but i think you've made the right choice. 

(((liz))), don't feel bad about putting yourself first. right now, it's all about you. i know it's hard, but you need every ounce of rest to be able to do what you have to do for your kids. everything else can wait. do you have any nearby friends or relatives who can help with cooking, cleaning, errands etc? don't be afraid to ask, it's truly miraculous how many people want to do anything they can.

artemis, welcome back. the brain fog is a beeyatch, ain't it?

jancie ...6 wigs?! i can't even figure out how to manage with one! (still not used to it. fixing it CONSTANTLY.) oh & happy belated anniversary!

kerry, ditto on your gorgeous family. i love the one with you and your daughter, that's a great picture. you can do the bald, doll - you got what it takes.

and sue, your little lovebug is adorable! thanks for brightening my morning! sorry you're still battling those damn headaches.

kerry & gina, thanks for the photo compliments! 

off to round #3 in a bit. i'm a little nervous because my regular team is on vackay, and i go to the other center today. but hey, that's what ativan is for. i also downloaded a few guided imagery podcasts to my ipod, one specifically for chemo treatments.

i can't wait to be able to say "only 5 more to go"! 

(((everyone))) 

Judy-I had anemia also on AC, twice. It does knock u down big time. I sent you a PM with a suggestion on what I did for it.

Thanks Lisa!  Headaches headaches headaches... I'm seeing my onc. first thing tomorrow morning and I'm going to moan and groan to him , that I need relief from this... tylenol and motrin just isn't cutting it!

Have a good day everyone... at least let's try to!

Sue

Karen,

Oh my gosh.....I am so sorry for your loss.  I can't even imagine.  This just is NOT fair. Hugs and prayers to you and your family.

Sue

oh my gosh Karen

my heart goes out to you.. how will you cope?  I don't know what I would do. I hope you have lots of support.  i am so sorry.  May God be with you and yours.  That is soooo unfair.

Karen - so, so sorry to hear of your loss. I couldn't even imagine going through this without my husband, I hope you have lots of loving family around to help you out. Hang in there. He would want you to keep strong and keep with your treatments.

Big hugs,

Kerry

(((Karen and family)))  I'm so very sorry.  I cannot even begin to imagine the devestation.  I'm so very, very sorry.

Artemis

Karen ((bighugs)) I am so sorry to hear about your wonderful husband.  Just remember what he told you you will be fine thru all of this. 

I am thinking that my wbc are in the tank and therefore I hurt 10x more than normal yesterday and today.  I actually had to call the doctor's office yesterday because my fever went to 100.6 which I got the go ahead for advil which kicked the fever out.  I started the morning with advil and they wore off at 3pm and I started aching again so 3 more advil for me   When I called I spoke with the NP and she goes well you only have 2 more treatments ...right ??  and when I told her I had 4 more she was shocked.  When I asked her if she knew why she told me I needed to aske the doctor about why I am getting 6 instead of 4.  I know I will go thru with 6 but I just need to  know why ?  and the last time he showed me a website with a formula.

Karen, I'm so very sorry for the loss of your husband. I wish you peace during this very trying time. {{{hugs}}}

Ladies, I'm adjusting to the new bald me. It's oddly liberating. I'll try to figure out how to post a picture. I'm off to read webbie's post on it.

I catch up with ya'll later on tomorrow - maybe tonight - just not sure.  Had my second A/C today and even though I don't really feel bad - I feel "off"  Can't seem to sort out my thoughts at all.  chemo fog really hits me hard.

They changed my nausea meds due to my allergic reaction to Compazine and she gave me a different type of sleep aid that should work really well.  I was also given permission to cut my steriods from 4 mg per day to 2 mg per day.  That should help overall mentally and physically.

I am going to heat up dinner that a friend brought by - run a load of laundry and fold it on my bed as I watch TV.  I am just in a really lazy mode so I don't feel like being on the computer.

But - I am fine!

I just wanted to offer my support and encouragement to all of you going through chemo now. I finished at the end of January. It was rough, but with each day that passes I am slowly regaining my strength and vitality. 

Hugs to all of you,

Stacy 

well...it was a tough day.. feeling the pain of Karen and Judy.. i feel so sorry for you gals and pray that comfort comes your way.

i screwed up my head big time.  first i tried to do a mohawk but forgot and buzzed the middle of the back of my head.  then i decided to go for one of those super marine cuts where the sides and back are shaved and the top remains but i guess i have to make the sides even higher something.. it just looks stupid.. the buzzer kind of made streaks and it's freaky now.. i want to keep my few bangs for just a day or two so i can look at them.

maybe time for a bit of levity

Where does one go with all this sadness. Our kindred chemo experience brings us all together. A baby being born and mom having surgery and chemo. Losing a beloved mom and still facing chemo, and now losing your beloved mate, your support system, and still their is chemo. I thought some of us were facing the challenges of our life with our cancer but yet Judy, Karen, and I'm so sorry I don't remember your name, newest mommy, you face so much more. Your strength and braveness is so inspiring. You've got the cyber support from all of us here. Group hug. Love and best    suzanne

Can you add a picture that's on Picasa?? I swear I'm usually good with computers.

I keep wanting to share a little about me but I just never think the time is right with everything that we're all going through. I guess there's never a good time though. lol So here it is....you know how they say bad things happen in threes right? Well, though my diagnosis is by far the most tragic it was actually the 2nd of three bad things that happened to us last year. The first was in September. I had an ectopic pregnancy, my right fallopian tube ruptured & I was rushed into emergency surgery since I was bleeding internally. We got through that & then in November was the cancer diagnosis. The next day my husband got into a car accident & totaled his car (he's fine BTW). So, it was NOT a good year & we're really hoping that's the end of the "bad luck". Anyway, my SIL told me last month that a professional photographer she knows was participating in this project called "Giving is Awesome". This is the premise in the photographer's own words from her website:

"You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it fully. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography worth over $750. The winner will receive a photo session with me, 5×7 prints from the session and the complete set of digital files."

So, SIL nominated us and I got an e-mail from the photographer last Wednesday saying we won. Wow! It was bittersweet for me because dang....I guess we've been going through some pretty crappy stuff lately. When I really think about everything it's tough because you know....it just plain sucks. I mean, I "should" be seven months pregnant right now. I should be fat and happy and rearranging furniture. I hate that there's a part of me that just cries every time I hear another friend tell me she's pregnant. I shouldn't know as much as I do about chemotherapy, about drugs like Taxotere, Carboplatin & Herceptin. About how toxic they are and how they literally try to kill you....just to make you better in the long run. About the plethora of insane side effects and the havoc they wreak on your body. I shouldn't have two huge, angry scars across my chest. I shouldn't have to try and explain all this garbage to two beautiful little faces who just cannot understand it all. I shouldn't know so much about this monstrous disease called cancer, none of us should.

Still...I'm ok. As difficult as this is I'm ok. I feel like I say that a lot to people but that's the best way to describe it. I'm not doing bad, I'm not doing great....I'm doing ok You just do what you have to do. Because there is no alternative. I'm not done yet and this damn cancer thing certainly isn't going to stop me.

We met with the photographer on Sunday (I think I mentioned last week we were taking family pictures). Even though my hair started falling out last Thursday I really wanted to have the pictures done with MY hair & I made it....barely! We had fun taking the pictures. When I get them, and if I ever figure out how to post them I'll share a couple.

Here's wishing us all a peaceful, comfortable evening where cancer is the LAST thing on our minds! {{{Hugs}}}

I have to add one of my son too, just cos he is so cute!!