**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

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  • cpanasci
    cpanasci Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2009

    Hi all;

    I haven't been much of a presence here of late. I had my first round on Friday the 13th and while it was a looooooooong, anxious and tedious day, it certainly could've been worse. I was a little put off that the nurse had a haz mat suit on (and you're putting that stuff INTO me?!) and kind of blew up my vein on the first try. Oh, and the free sandwiches were not worth having cancer. But I got through. The weekend was just like a low-grade flu experience, with some spaciness thrown in for balance. The anti-nausea meds worked well. I was back at work on Monday. Nothing like a gang of 7th graders to spoil your pity party!

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  • MichelleinSJ
    MichelleinSJ Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2009

    Hi Gina and everyone!

    I have managed to avoid the hospital, and I'm hoping that by now my counts are rising steadily.  My temp is actually kind of low for me (97.0).  I'm pretty much sticking to my house, and I've gotten all the laundry done.  Yesterday my 6-year-old woke me up by whispering that my friend was downstairs cleaning the kitchen.  With my big dogs, I don't generally worry about the door being locked during the day, so she just came in, LOL!  She cleaned and vacuumed while I spent my time summoning the energy to go downstairs to say hello.

    I hate Levaquin, but it works.  I'm taking a probiotic with it, and that helps a bit.  I just want food to taste good again, and I want to not feel that little tinge of nausea all the time.  This morning I had the duct cleaners here for the first time in nearly 8 years.  As you can imagine with 3 kids and 3 pets, the ducts were BAD.  But now I'm breathing healthier air.

    My wig is custom, but not from my own hair.  He took a sample of my hair, measured my head, took pictures, etc., and then he made the wig for me.  My appointment is tonight, and the wig is ready.  In the meantime, I cut off my ponytail yesterday, and decided I couldn't go any further than that.  I think my hair looks cute like this, I might do this style when all is said and done.  My ponytail is in my nightstand drawer.  I took some bad pictures of myself, I'll put one on the fb group.  Thanks for creating that, btw, Dayla!  Great idea :)

    Okay, back to reading ...

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  • MichelleinSJ
    MichelleinSJ Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2009

    NYDeb, my head aches, too.  And I know we had our treatments at the same time.  I think the nightmare is about to become reality.  How sucky that the wig lady wasn't nicer.  Most people seem to choose to deal with cancer patients because they're caring and sensitive.  Otherwise ... why?

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  • MichelleinSJ
    MichelleinSJ Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2009

    Michelle, I would've had a great day until I read your mouse story!  Just kidding ... but OMG!!  I would've run in circles, screaming.  What did you do?

    I'm glad you got past the constipation, anyway.

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  • MichelleinSJ
    MichelleinSJ Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2009

    NY Deb!  I love your family picture.  Your sons are quite handsome!

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited March 2009

    Well its day 14 and I'm shedding. My scalp hurt some but tylenol seemed to help. Until that kicked in I thought I was going to have to leave work and go get my hair cut. I'm hoping tomorrow won't be so bad- ideally I want to go from long hair (past shoulders) to the buzz (after cutting it off in ponytails) . I've got my lint roller ready.

     I got a couple buffs from www.buffwear.com   I got the one called Kashfly Brown- which in real life is more greenish background than brown. I didn't realize there was one than one place to buy buffs- I will have to check the others out.

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  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2009

    Another on the topic of hair: invest in DrainO or LiquidPlumber. I know it is terrible for the environment, but until all your locks are gone (naturally or through a baby-bottom-smooth-shave) you might be stopping up your shower drain like I am. The jug I bought on Sunday is now empty. Grrr.

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  • Kimmom
    Kimmom Member Posts: 32
    edited March 2009

     NYDeb48.... What a handsome family and beautiful dog.

    Francine - I am glad to hear your blood tests went well. They had problems with my small veins and poked me 6 times on Tuesday for my blood work, it took 3 different techs and an hour. Then when I went for my 2nd A/C yesterday it took 3 tries/2 techs and 45 mins. at that appointment. My one good arm looks like a drug addicts. I told the Onco I would need a port before any of this started and he didn't believe me. I have 14 treatments left so my port surgery is next Wed.

    Dawn - How scary this must be for your daughter, cancer has been such a big part of her life.  As a parent, I think know I am more afraid for my children then for myself.

    marshall2000  - The lady at the wig shop told me if my skin is not aggravated by it to try spirit gum to help keep the wig in place. I was also thinking of some rubber cement.

    I have had some wonderful things happen to me in the last few days

    Monday a very good friend brought over homemade enchiladas, rice and beans    and it was on a day I had an appetite.

    Tuesday I came home to find flowers on my doorstep but they were not for me. My sister who lives In Beaverlodge, Can  (think middle of nowhere   and freaking cold) sent them to my best friend for taking such good care of me with a very sweet card.

    Wednesday: My best friend came home from taking me to Chemo and found on her doorstep from her 90 year old aunt, a homemade quilt, 4 scarves, 2 kimonos, a stuffed bunny and 2 small pillows all for me! Everything was handmade. As you can imagine it was my turn to cry.

    Everyday my best friend calls me, takes me to my appointments and if I need to cry she's there rubbing my back and hugging me. Everyday my husband holds me, loves me and makes me feel beautiful.

                    

    It is all doable.......and good friends make it and easier journey.

    Kim
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  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2009
    KIM - I am sorry I missed seeing you were on #2 yesterday!!! Isn't amazing how amazing people can be! I hearing about the outpouring of really good, solid support! Enchiladas YUMM. Quilt, Scarves, kimonos. So wonderful!
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  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2009

    Just got an auto-email from MyRecipes.com

    I wish my freezer looks liked this. 

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  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2009
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  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2009
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  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2009
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  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2009

    Ok sorry  I'm learning how to post this pics and its kinda tricky

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  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited March 2009

    MichelleinSJ... When my WBCs dropped, they gave me the Neulasta shot AND the levaquin as well.  My levels rose within 3 days.  Yesterday, was my 2nd tx and I just returned back to work from getting the Neulasta shot (this time within the 24 hour range).  HANG IN THERE!

    buddy1... WOW!  What beautiful children.  I've been meaning to ask... How did your son's State Meet go?

    Alyad... Two weeks exactly for me when the hairs started dropping.  Three weeks was yesterday and there are still some stragglers that won't go.  I'm still using the lint brush as well.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    MOB - Glad to see you are back on your feet so quickly, wow work already !!  Yes, ballplayers are the best.

    cpanasci -  glad you survived the first treatment.  7th graders eh?  My son teaches 6th grade history and just loves that age kids.

    Gymmom -   The wig lady was not rude or anything.  I had just hoped it was one of those aspects of this whole thing we could have some fun with.  Some people just take themselves way too seriously.

    Marshall -  I love the mouse story.  One of my closest friends is a nurse and she is also crazy funny.  Must be that's part of your mandatory training.

    Michellinsj -  Sounds like you're feeling a bit better.  Hopefully next round will be a big improvement.  I haven't cut any hair off yet, but my son has the clippers ready.  I think he's a little too anxious !

    Francine -  Love the pic with the cake.  You are making me hungry.

    Kimmom -  Sorry to hear about the veins.  I thought that would be my fate also, but so far, the nurses have done great. 

    Isn't it wonderful all the special things folks do for us.  You are very lucky to have so much support.

    Buddy -  I see you " corralled " all the chickens.  Your son is so cute.  I'd love to see the pine tree that cone came from.  Your daughter is just gorgeous with beautiful hair like Moms.  Do you live on a farm?

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  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2009

    Mom of boys thanks for the comp's  My son didnt do that well  He did get a pin His first match I think he ended up taking 7th.

    NYD  Yep we got all our chickens back.  I wish you lived close I could share some organic eggs.  We got the pine cone camping out west.  Can you imagine that falling on your roof? 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    buddy1 - We actually have our own chickens, 125,000 of them.  My husband and his brother run a farm together.

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  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2009

    Wow   That would be hard to name them.    Are they meat birds or layers?  Ours are like spoiled little puppies.  They come running up to us when they see us for attention.  Excecp for the Rooster  we call him Liborace (spelling)  Half the hens wont let him near them.  125,000  I cant even imagine.  What other animals do you have.  My daught is wanting a horse and goats.  Its just too much to take on right now.  The man up the road needs us to take care of his beef cattle late this spring.  He is having knee replacement.  Someone has offered to give us a minuature A or B. horse, and fence it in and all.  But its still work for me. 

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited March 2009

    Hi Everyone.

    I went out to lunch with five good friends today. We had fun .All have been very supportive thru this all.

    Buddy..I also got two pictures when I tried to post them. All you have to do is right click on the duplicate one and press cut. It will go away. BTW your daughters hair is just beautiful.

    Kimmom....I am surprised that the oncologist didn't want to give you a port at first. I think they find the chemo much easier. So many women here have it. You will do well. I have my chemo on Monday and will work hard to make my veins come out. Before this BC I always had good veins. Now???

    Cpanasci- A hazmat suit. Noone ever told us we are radioactive..LOL

    NYDeb..Buddy...No chickens here in Suburban NYC only the Kentucky Fried kind...

    MOB. Glad you are doing well. Please just let me know when you plan on coming to NYC I will show you around like a Royal Princess. I am serious...

    Dawn..Thanks for the comments re my granddaughter. I agree but one cannot talk to my daughter in Law that easily. The most ironic part of the story is that my granddaughter showed me pictures of her friend Lily. She was bald. Obviously she was being treated also for cancer. Has anyone ever heard of a teachible moment.? DAH....

    Gina..Love the food.LOL..Good luck tomorrow

    Good  news today..Our British friends who live in London invited us to their sons wedding on the Amalfi Coast early in June. I told my husband I want to go as a reward for all this stuff. Well today we booked a hotel ..Hope this works out.

    Oh yes ladies I did join FB today. Funny thing is that they said I was already a member ..Chemo brain?

    I got my hat, bangs and baseball cap from headcovers . Com..As someone said I had to sign for

    this stuff. The baseball cap is very light and good size.. 

    Hugs to all,

    Francine 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009
    Buddy -   They are all layers.  No roosters allowed here, just lots of hens and sh..t.  When my husband was a kid they had a few horses , some cattle and a few hogs.  As the farm got bigger, there just wasn't  time anything but your specialty.  The horse thing sounds like a fun project down the road.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009
    Crusader -  What a fabulous way to celebrate getting through all this.
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  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2009

    You must a one big egg basket.  Ha Ha  I cant imagine all of those eggs.  Are they all leghorns.  We have Goldne buffs, Red and Black start, Americana Barr rock Rhode Island.  But we really enjoy them.

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited March 2009

    I am on Faceboard..

    Where do I find how to get the March Warrior Princesses...

    I am looking for the group. I have never been on before ...

    Can anyone give this older women simple directions ?

    Thanks,

    Francine

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  • sakura73
    sakura73 Member Posts: 467
    edited May 2009

    Hi Francin

     Search for me - Rachel Ellyard - and I can friend you and then you can see the group (though I am not an admin)

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  • sakura73
    sakura73 Member Posts: 467
    edited March 2009

    sorry, what I mean is, search for me, add me as a friend. you'll then be able to see the group and make a request to join which one of the admins can approve

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  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited March 2009

    Francin...if you go to the search box top right...type in March Warrior Princesses....when it pulls up the findings, click on groups...you can request there and I will accept you.  Once you are in you can friend all us gals!  

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  • laurie41
    laurie41 Member Posts: 61
    edited March 2009

    I was washing my face this morning to get my makeup off, because I work nights, and I noticed a bunch of new wrinkles around my mouth. Does the chemo do something to the skin on a persons face and what can I use to make it better? Any suggestions would really be great. 

    jdeking...thanks for the Planetbuff suggestion, I have to take a look because the scarf tying is a nighmare at times.

    Laurie 

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  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2009

    Major dehydration.  Try doubling up on a good moisturizer.

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  • gymmom8
    gymmom8 Member Posts: 86
    edited March 2009

    Here are some pics......

     My Family

    Me

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