Starting Chemo February 2009?

Jancie--That is amazing.  I can see that that darn horse has a special place in your heart!

Lisa:  Regarding PORTS.  I had the strangest thing happen today.  I went in for my #3 AC.  Blood work went fine--RBC was still down, but acceptable level.  I met with my onco, plus the research nurse, then went to the infusion center.  The chemo nurse cleaned off the Emla cream and started to access the port--the needle bent to about a 45 degree angle.  She got a new needle, began to access and the second needle bent just like the first.  Chemo nurse called another nurse and they concluded that the port was flipped over!  My onco ordered a chest x-ray which showed (surprise!) that the port was, indeed, flipped over and the needles had been hitting the harder underside.  Next--big discussion as to what to do.  Onco thought I might need surgery to install a new port, or at least turn the existing one over; discussion as to what that would do to my chemo schedule, how long had it been since I had eaten, how long since I had fluids (ha! as I I stood there with my water bottle).  Anyway, the Onco was able to catch the surgeon before the BS went to lunch; I dashed over to the BS office, and he was able to manually flip the port back over.  He also warned me that since it has done it once, it may well flip again.   Oh, ports--gotta love 'em.

The silver lining to the fiasco is that I was able to get back over to the infusion center and the last port access was successful.  The TX went well and I'm still on schedule, which means I'll be able to get to my granddaughter's 6th birthday party April 25!!

Chemo Chooks All:  Here's to each of you seasoned, special women.  I hope you have a weekend with minimal or NO side effects.  Helen

Janice, thanks so much for your advice.  I am feeling really good and really have not had side effects except for a little easy to tire and of course the hair thing.  Sure wish it would all just give in and fall out!  I will ask my chemo doc about lymphadenema on my appointment April 1, but given we live in Costa Rica, I don't know if a sleeve will be an option.  I wonder if an ace would help at all?You have quite the story about how you found your cancer.  What a blessing that horse is.  Mrsrockytop

Special hugs for (((jancie))). Here's hoping that was your last ER visit, hon. And omg, I am so cringing at the thought of being kicked in the breast - ack! But thank god you were. Thanks for sharing your pretty horsies! (Btw, I was a major horse fanatic when I was young - I know, how cliché, right? Only took lessons for a short time, and haven't ridden in 25+ years, but I still adore horses. Finally went to Chincoteague 3 yrs ago to see my beloved little ponies.)

Sue50, I remember your story. I can't even imagine, you poor thing you. I too wonder if I have any breast tissue left. My surgeons said no. i take them at their word, but ... who's to know, really? And thanks for the tip about the Rembrandt canker sore toothpaste. I'm getting tired of the biotene - I've only had a few sporadic sores, so I'm all about finding a better tasting toothpaste.

Kristine, your surgeon said 6 months too? My PS originally said I would only have to wait a month or two after chemo, and last we spoke, he said he didn't think I would need radiation. i think i'm going to email him next week - especially to ask him to speak with the radiation oncologist. i heart my PS, he's a total mensch.

Helen, oh geez - how the heck was the surgeon able to flip your port, by massaging it? Eeek! So glad he was tho, and that you're still on schedule. That's my worst fear, having to delay a treatment.

Michele, I'm sorry you're suffering with port issues also. my blood returns are fine - my one nurse is anal about checking it during my infusions. I'm just so cringing at the thought of them sticking me on weds. i'm going to call first thing Monday and ask for a script for emla cream - even tho when I asked about it at my first treatment, everyone looked at me like I was from mars.

Welcome, Kathy! Can't help you with the travel question. I'm nervous going to visit the outlaws tomorrow (only 45 minutes away).

speaking of travel, way back pre-diagnosis, I was planning on visiting my oldest & dearest friend in CA next week. I've never been to CA. we were going to do the vineyards, sightseeing on that pretty highway that hugs the coast. I'm not a traveler, and I've been dealing with an out-of-the-blue, weird anxiety condition for the past two+ years, tho I was getting better (thanks to Zoloft & ativan). Last spring I flew to VA to see my sister & my niece, and then in the summer, I flew to boston to visit friends, both times solo ... and I was so proud of myself. (once i'm on the plane, i'm fine. it's the anticipation that wreaks havoc on me.) CA was going to be a major trip for me, a major hurdle in fixing my self-esteem and fears ... ah well. Beating cancer is no small thing, right?

(((everyone))) 

ETA: i can't figure out how to add topics to my favorite topics. i have the "add to my favorite topics" thingie checked before i hit submit, but it's still not adding them. it's driving me freaking nuts ... help? 

Jancie~ Wow that is a heck of a story about how you found out.  I had a TB that coliced a couple of times and it was not fun.  What do you plan on doing with you princess ??  I evented and loved it but once I had my kids I had to choose my horse or staying at home so I found my TB a wonderful home and gave him away because I didn't want anything bad to every happen to my "little pony" (all 16 hands of him). 

I am finally coming out of my chemo. funk from my last chemo. but I feel like a lab rat.  I had to go for a Kidney IEP yesterday and I have to go back Monday about the results to make sure my kidney's are okay.  I am mentally feeling ready for the next round of chemo. so now I have to wait until "cocktail day".

I'm writing from the bottom of the Taxol pit....felt great yesterday (steroids) but just like you guys said, there is a crash after that. I feel like my body is encased in lead.Thanks for the warning...I think it was Webbie saying you Zoom for a couple days then crash. I can't believe I was up playing my dulcimer for 2 hours last night....can't do a thing today. 

However enjoyed the Jancie-Echo story and pix. Wow, what a story and gorgeous horse! I'm thinking of a horseshoe tattoo to commemorate...well maybe not.

Yes I'm a former Chincoteague junkie too!!!  Made DH drive me out there and, well, them ponies looked like, um, well, ponies. Not particularly wild and free; maybe it was their day off.  I also dragged DH to Albert Payson Terhune park in NJ to see a bunch of famous Collie graves...that didn't impress him either until I sold a Terhune book on eBay for $250...

Tired, tired, tired today & yucky feeling. Love that chemo crash...not. My FIL drove back with us from Arizona on Tuesday & is flying home tonight. I wish he could stay longer, I love him to death & he's great with the girls...they love grandpa. Plus he did a bunch of "little" fix it ups around the house this week while hubby was working....new blinds in the living room, replaced a ceiling fan, poured some concrete for repairs in the pavers in our backyard, etc. Plus he made a fantastic pot roast for dinner. I am lucky, I have great in-laws. I need another nap. ITA webbie, I'm tired of this game.

Lisa, yeah I'm sure if rads are not involved it wouldn't be such a long wait. It sucks, I'll likely be stuck with this expanders for a YEAR total. Oh well, hopefully we'll all look back on this as just a distant memory someday!

reporting on taxol chemo hand icing.

(i took a ziplock bag with crushed ice)... it really seems to work.  My hands have not tingled or felt swollen at all since my infusion Thursday.  (i gave it several days to really see).

Jancie  - gorgeous horses. 

have a great weekend everyone.

hi eveyone. I don't post often but read every word. You guys are so great and such inspiraion. No matter what is going on in our lives we gotta just keep trekkin. I just spent 5 days in hospital. Infection stemming from port that hasnever worked. Now they have to replace it. Also caused a thrombosis in my arm. All the veins in my good arm went catywampus. so took multiple people and sticks to get any blood or put in iv's. WBC was almost nil. so lots of antibiotics, blood thinners and Neulasta. And this is only after 2nd AC. What next? I was feeling pretty good cause no bad SE's just fatigue. Well extreme ftigue, but you guys know what that is. Weather here in Calif has been wonderful so came home to see so many new things in my garden. Going to have to give away my pond fish tho. too risky cleaning the filters and such. Not like those gorgeous horses but still part of my menagerie of a dog and two cats.Can keep the pond clean with just bleach if no fish so can still have the tranquiity of the water and fountain.I have got the most outstanding chemo angel. I have gotten a box of goodies from her every week. just fun stuff but so cheery. I missed my dads 85th birthday yesterday a big family reunion kind a thing so bummed abut that. But today is a brand new day!! So heres to all of us having a grat one. Love and hugs to us all!!!

Hey MichelleS, I'm doing 4xACdd, 4xTaxol dd, just like you, except I'm not getting Avastin. I'm glad to tell you that the Taxol did not cause nausea. I just had psychological nausea like you get, but no vomiting; and just that crummy chemo feeling during treatment, but by the next morning....no nausea! Ate a normal breakfast!  Yay!  From what I have read the Avastin shouldn't make you nauseous either. I really hope your next tx goes better, you have certainly had your share of SE's!! I can't believe you are working during treatment, good for you!

Sue~ I switched to 12 T's for a variety of reasons... one being that I'm a "chemo-weenie" and wanted the easier path.  Glad to hear that you had no nausea! Yippee!!!

Liz and calgal~ I'm sorry you guys are are feeling bad. AC *is* so tough... I agree. You can do it!! If you haven't tried marinol yet for thecontinued nausea, I'd ask for it.  It didn't make my nausea go away (and I couldn't work while taking it), but I was able to eat better when I was on it and the nausea did *seem* less severe.  Anywhoo, it comes as a generic too to insurance isn't likely to balk at it.

Kerry and kristine~  where have you been?  I've missed ya'll!

DH made jambalaya for dinner and I'm so HUNGRY!! (without any marinol! LOL!) I hope I can taste it!

{{hugs}} to everyone!  

Michele

MicheleS:  When do you start your Taxol tx's?  I agree with Sue, the Taxol is much better so far.  I've only had one tx, but I am able to eat again, am actually eating too much, really.  Food tastes fine so far.  The only thing I've had is a stomach ache as opposed to nausea, but onc thinks it is left over effects from AC, not the Taxol.  It has subsided a bit.  Still, nothing compared to AC, much better, I am able to get off the couch and do things now. 

Calgal:  I, too have a pond with Koi in it, they grow so darned fast.  I have one baby fish in there now, he is really small.  I love watching the fish, the biggest one will come nose to nose with me and eat out of my hand.  

I took my DD to the hospital last night, and spent the night there; 6th picc line infection (since Feb 08), so we are familiar with the drill.  Her fever spiked from 101 to over 103 within 25 minutes, it is scary how fast it climbs.  She is doing better, will be in the hospital for a few days until cultures clear and new picc line is put in.  Didn't get much sleep, so I slept most of the afternoon.  I get nervous staying there, don't want to get sick again, but couldn't leave her there looking so terrible. 

It's snowing here, dang it!  It shouldn't stick, but I really want to see nice green trees, green grass, and feel warm breezes.  Ugh.  So ready for warm weather.

Well, gotta go finish cooking dinner (yea, I can do that now, not starving my poor family anymore)

Hugs to all

Judy

yuk--It's 430am and I can't sleep d/t nausea. I took a zofran already. I think I'm going to take an ativan. wish me luck...

The kids and their new Bikes

Good morning to everyone!   

Kerry: that sounds like a nice weekend, I bet your kids were so excited to get new bikes.  I've also been wanting to get out and pull last years growth from the garden, but the weather won't cooperate right now (snow). You must be less of a wimp than me when it comes to being out in the cold, lol.  I hope you feel better for your last few tx's.

Carol:  only 2 more to go, that's great.  I'm sorry you are feeling so sick and hope you feel better this week.

I am off for blood tests this morning to check my blood thinner levels, then food shopping.  I have taxol #2 tomorrow, it seems such a long way to go before I get to #12.  Oh well, one week at a time, i guess.

Judy