Starting chemo January 2009?

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  • YearoftheHat
    YearoftheHat Member Posts: 243
    edited April 2009

    It's great to read everyone's posts.  This board really helps me so much to keep plugging away through all of this.  It is amazing what we are going through collectively.  There is so much going on with everyone all the time.

    Lisa - That is awful but you have been such a trooper.  You will overcome this hurdle too!   

    BevR - I am thinking of you today.  I too dreaded my last AC but I barely even remember it now.    

    babyc - It is nice to hear from you!  I also have mild neuropathy and am hoping that it's not cumulative as I have 7 treatments to go, but I am not taking anything for it at this point.  

    BerkelyKim - I am wondering what will be left of me after the 12 tx.  It's starting to feel like running a marathon.  I'm so glad you were able to get away.  It sounds like you had a beautiful time.   

    ddlatt - I can't believe you may have to stop.  I would think there has to be some way to let you finish up.   

    KM47 - Ah, the comforts of home, and you'll see your hubby soon too.  Thanks for staying in close contact through that ordeal.   

    Renrel - Hope you are getting through the week OK.  The weight will be lifted soon enough.

    jrgolomb - You sound happy with the care and attention from your doctors.  That is so important.  I am excited that you're excited and that you are close to being done with everything.       

    Bev56 - Congratulations on finishing chemo!  You're on to the next phase but I have to say I am really sorry to hear about your husband's job.  At least he has a little heads up on it.  

    kt57 - I appreciate your comments about hormone therapy.  They will help me make a decision when I need to later.  

    Renrel - Thanks for your post.  More food for thought.  I think we all have to be vigilant about getting the tests and scans we need.  Some doctors are so oddly hesitant to test sometimes.  The technology is there - I say use it.    

    Patti - Congratulations on your new grand daughter!  It's wonderful that you could spend some time with her.  

    Work, work, work.  I let them make me feel so inadequate.  I will go in when I have some energy, will enjoy being with everyone there and will do what I can (which will be plenty).  It's cold and cloudy.  I could use a cheerleading squad right about now.    

  • BerkeleyKim
    BerkeleyKim Member Posts: 390
    edited April 2009

    LIsa--HUGS!! Damn..you've been through way too much, but with your spirit you'll make through this too--I'm cheering you on. That Flagyl is powerful stuff. I hope you can take it easy and stay hydrated.

    Bev56-Forgot to CONGRATULATE you on finishing chemo.!!!!! Good luck with rads. Keep us posted on hormone of choice. I have forgotten to ask about my bone density scan results.

    Holtbolt--Glad you could enjoy some time away. It's SO necessary for our spirits (even though it might wipe us out--my legs are recovering from my couple days of hiking). Mick Jagger's pants--Wow. Saw them on him in person so many years ago. Looked good then, and he stiill amazes me. Thanks for the pep talk on rads. I feel like the end of May is soooooo far away for me.

    YearoftheHat--Ok--cheering you on. Wishing you good luck for tomorrow. I go in at 8:30 pst. I'll be thinking of you as I doze off on the benadryl--which still puts me out at 1/2 dose. We'll do it. We have to. I hope work goes better this week--don't let the bad guys get you done, but it's hard.

    Renrel--Thought of you last weekend as I made bread. I love some of the cyberconnections we are making. Makes me feel like part of an amazing group of warrior/wonderful/brave women. I hope you are feeling up to eating for the Passover meals.

    Have a good day all. love, kim

  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited April 2009

    HoltHolt -- good to hear from you - was wondering if you were OK.  Sound like a great trip with your DH and DS.   LOL about Mick's pants!   Danny was great this week - Adam gave me the shivers -- how can anyone sing with such clarity and emotion WOW -- think he's got it in the bag.   Any decisions on 5&6?  

    lisalisa:  here's hoping and praying the flagyl kicks in and you stay on schedule!   You have been through soooo much!   

    ddlatt: isn't it somewhat normal for liver enzymes to go up as your liver detoxifies the chemo?  hope your liver scan turns out well and you can complete your treatment.

  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited April 2009

    had the CT scan today because of the elevated liver enzyme count, and my doc put my chemo on hold. he keeps telling me it could be liver cancer, and on the form i took in for the procedure it said "evaluation for mets." not a fun thing to read. will have results monday or tuesday. the counts were perfect before i started chemo, so i'm hoping it's just chemo that's affecting the liver. hope i can continue chemo, though, but he said no way unless the counts decrease significantly. 

    hope everyone has a good and pain-free weekend! 

  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited April 2009

    ddlatt -i'm SO sorry about your enzyme count and CT scan.  i guess I've been living in a hole thinking that if you are stage 1 with no nodes....it couldn't move that fast to other parts of the body!  i kind of thought: stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, stage 4 and THEN mets.

    I hope your weekend FLIES by and that its "just" chemo affecting your liver.

    To all, thanks for all the well wishes....I'm hoping I'll be feeling a bit better in the coming days!

  • BerkeleyKim
    BerkeleyKim Member Posts: 390
    edited April 2009

    Ddlatt--Please go ahead and breathe, because I'm holding my breath for you. I wish you didn't have to wait til Monday for CT results. It's not right. Since you are so sensitive to the Taxol in other ways (neuropathy), I hope that that's what's causing the increased enzyme count, and your onc is being supercautious.

    kim

  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited April 2009

    awwwwwww, DDLATT!  I wish I could be with you and  like Kim hold my breath for you.  It stinks you have to wait till Monday!!!!  Yeah, it's gotta be the Taxol.  I've read many threads and different sites that mention the taxanes can do a number on the liver.  I will be thinking of you this weekend.

  • YearoftheHat
    YearoftheHat Member Posts: 243
    edited April 2009

    ddlatt - Your doctor is being cautious.  It's good that he is checking into any potential problems.  I feel for the stress you must be having. 

    You have a good and pain-free weekend too!   

  • brendafromflorida
    brendafromflorida Member Posts: 90
    edited April 2009

    Everyone, it sounds like we have had quite a week.   LisaLisa, hope everything works out.  II am so sorry you have had to go through all these other challenges along with the chemo.  UGH!

    DDlatt, I agree that your doctor is being cautious and checking for potential issues.  We will all pray that this is the chemo causing the problems.  Sending positive thoughts.

    Bev, cograts on finishing, Patti, a new granchild.  Wonderful. 

    BerkleyKim, glad you were able to get away.  

    Me, I am headed for another transfusion tomorrow.  Just can't seem to keep that hemoglobin level up.  This will be my third.   I see my onc next Thursday, so he may be sending me for some other tests.   He was not happy the last time.   That was just over 3 weeks ago.  Good thing is I can now start counting down.   I have 6 more Taxol to go.  My end date now is May 21 if I don't have any more treatments delayed.   My WBC is staying up now because I am giving myself a shot of Neupogin 3 days after each treatment.   I start rads after that.   Not sure how much time between.  I will ask next Thursday.  

    Hope everyone has a pain free, pleasant weekend.  

  • Renrel
    Renrel Member Posts: 497
    edited April 2009

    ddlat - I too will be holding my breath and crossing my finger for you. 

    I had a bit more energy yesterday and used nearly all of it baking for the seder.  I made my fanciest cake (Isreali Chocolet Mouse), some OK cookies and two decent kugels. Thank goodness the cake was a hit. I would have been pissed to have given that much time and energy to it have have it be a bust. I finally took up a friends offer to pick up my son from school for me since she has to pick up her daughter anyway and lives in the neighborhood as the friends throwing the seder.  That made things much easier.    Today I really needed to nap but instead I did more food shopping and made myself take a walk while the sun was still out.   Maybe tomorrow.  I am feeling so tired these days that I am having trouble getting into the mood to pick up fun clothes for chemo day. Besides, how do I top pink hair? 

  • jillyG
    jillyG Member Posts: 401
    edited April 2009

    ddlatt, I'll be thinking of you this weekend.  I think it's very unlikely that you would have spread to the liver so quickly being a stage 1, no positive nodes and on chemotherapy....and I'm sticking to that :)  I'm thinking (and hoping) it's the chemo.  If your doc DIDN"T check for mets I would be more worried, best to be cautious.  Keep us updated.......my husband has always said through this process "let's not be worried until someone tells us we should be worried", and it helped me a little, not alot, but a little.Wink

  • mimi07
    mimi07 Member Posts: 25
    edited April 2009

    I've been away because I was feeling good!  It's been 5 weeks since my last chemo and I feel great!  After my last chemo, I had a blood transfusion, felt extremely fatigued and weak, nothing tasted good, felt like crap, and was wondering if I would EVER feel better.  But you will!  And today I noticed this fuzzy thing on top of my head.  My hair is growing back!

    I have also started radiation, which is another issue...  I was scared and (still am) wanted to delay it.  It is a bummer to have to do this when I was just beginning to feel better.  But, I had 3 treatments, and I feel nothing so far.

    ddlatt: It is really hard waiting...  Chemo does affect your livers.  I will be crossing my fingers for you for good results, and hope that you can stay on schedule and finish chemo soon!

    lisalisa:  Hope you are doing better, and you can get your last chemo on schedule!  You are almost there!

    kt57:  My Jan 2 Jewel!  Hang in there!  Hope everything goes smoothly next week.

    brenda:  Hope your hemoglobin stays up this time.

    km47:  Welcome home!  I'm so glad you are better.

    Everybody, have a Happy Easter!

  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 308
    edited April 2009

    DD...wow that's really scary!!  Let's hope it's nothing.  Your onc sounds like a real idiot for getting you all wound before a holiday weekend!!!  What a total jerk!!!!  

  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited April 2009

    mimi07:  you sound great!  thanks for stopping back and giving us all hope of "normal" returning.   Round #5 has gone really well for me and i'm hoping for the same with #6 - knowing it's that last, i think I can handle anything the comes my -- cuz i know one day soon I will feel as good as you sound!    

    ddlatt: I  cannot imagine seeing those words and not feeling more than a little bit of panic.  My heart goes out to you....     There is a good possibily that your scan will be completely normal and the elevation in the alk phos is your liver doing its job to metabolize the chemo toxins.  Five days seems like a long time to get that result -- wonder if your cancer center could facilitate that happening faster...

  • shockedat39
    shockedat39 Member Posts: 252
    edited April 2009

    ddlat, I'm vibing away that it's nothing serious.  Hang in there...there is a very, very good chance that it's the chemo!  Try to relax and have a decent weekend and I can't wait to see you post your good news here in a couple days :)

    Big, big hugs...Diane

  • YearoftheHat
    YearoftheHat Member Posts: 243
    edited April 2009

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited April 2009

    Hi all

    Brenda from Florida---Good luck on your transfusion today.

    B KIM--yes, I do like sleeping in.  I know I will suffer on Monday not only because I usually do on a normal post vacation, Monday but also because I know the neulasta/taxoterrible joint pain will begin.Argh.

    Holtbolt---So glad you had a great time visiting and getting away.  That is a good locale for my 16 year old....I'm from michigan, so maybe it won't be too long when I've finally finished chemo.

    Alol23--I so agree with you about the ordeal DDLATT has to go thru....They had to wait 5 days for results?

    Year of the Hat---I thank you for all your positive thoughts and responses.  You don't know how much it helps to get that.  I hope work goes better for you.

    Renrel--So what's the recipe for your fancy cake.  Just the word "chocolat" gets my taste buds watering!Wink

    KM47--Fec buddy!  I so bet you are glad to be home.  I hope your husband gets over the flu quickly.

  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 2,637
    edited April 2009

    Anyone heard from Misty about how Malcolm is doing?  I'm a little concerned that we haven't heard from her in awhile

  • Renrel
    Renrel Member Posts: 497
    edited April 2009

    I've been thinking about Misty and Malcolm too.  But she would be very busy whether things were going well or poorly so I am hoping that they are busy with a transplant.   I believe she also was supposed to have a propholatic Masactomy yesterday, so prepping for that would have had her busy. 

    jrgolomb - The recipe is not hard but it is rather time consuming.  Beatting egg whites till stiff, beating egg yokes till lemony, cooling the cake for seveal hours before frosting, beating a merange (sp) or whipped cream frosting.  If you really think you would bake it I will  post the recipe, but because it is so long I would rather not bother if it unlikely you would actually bake something that will take at least an hour of active time and several hours of baking and cooling. But since it takes either a 1/4 cup of cake meal or 4 TBSP of bread crumbs it may be good for people with weak wheat alergies, I am not sure if there is such a thing (people who are ok with just a little rather than who need total avoidance.)  

    YOTH - Sweet Dreams 

    mimi - Glad you are feeling so good. It gives us all hope.

     DH is home today so he took DS to school.  It may be a tough day for DS since they are having a b-day party and he can't have cake.  I could not even send a piece of my cake since it has ground nuts in it.  I don't know why but my eyes are tearing up a storm today.  They have been tearing but today I look like I am crying.  I am also tired and achy but other than that OK.  Wednsday is tx #5.  I am not dreading it but I am not looking forward to it.  As I posted before I am having trouble coming up with something fun to wear which is one way I get my spirts up for it.  Maybe I will put temp tattos on my head, but I have fuzz (I think my hair is already growing by the way) so they may not work.  It will also be Passover, so I will not be able to pig out on the free lunch and snacks they provide.  

  • holtbolt
    holtbolt Member Posts: 625
    edited April 2009

    kmmd - I was just thinking the same thing about Misty/Malcolm... hoping they are ok.... Misty, please check in if you are up to it!

    ddlatt - I'm no expert on cancer but I would find it very hard to believe with your pathology report that you would have a "mets scare" this soon after your dx.... and I agree with Alo... yikes... what kind of oncologist would drop that bombshell and say see ya Monday or Tuesday.... try to have a good weekend despite the situation... I have a good feeling it's chemo related.... :)

  • misty123
    misty123 Member Posts: 242
    edited April 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    Thanks for keeping an eye out for me/Malcolm

    Malcolm is at TGH, they found a donor last night, finally got the call and I am stuck in the hospital. His granny, brother and aunt are there with him and I spoke with him via phone about and hour ago, they are waiting for the donor liver to be havesed so we are on standby but he does have a new liver in the wings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I am trying to type this all bangaged up, outpatient prop mast did not work, blood count dropped and I am still in the hospital, hopefully home tomorrow.

    Continue to pray for him he is not out of the woods just yet.

  • YearoftheHat
    YearoftheHat Member Posts: 243
    edited April 2009

    Misty, It's so great to hear from you!  Thank goodness Malcom has a donor!  whew!  I am relieved to know you have family there too.  I am sorry the mastectomy did not work and that your counts are low enough to keep you in the hospital.  Hang in there!!  

  • Bev56
    Bev56 Member Posts: 33
    edited April 2009

    Misty- my thoughts and prayers are with you , Malcolm and your family.

  • YearoftheHat
    YearoftheHat Member Posts: 243
    edited April 2009

    I am home after Taxol #6.  My counts are fine and I am OK.  They reduced my Decadron to 6 mg from 10. That seems to be OK.  I munched quite a bit when I first came home but I think maybe I'll have  a handle on my appetite this time....hopefully.  I got a big hug from the woman I used to work with who is now a nurse at the chemo center.  She told me last week that she has three learning disabled brothers and that one of her own sons is autistic.  She is the most level-headed, accessible and capable person.  I admire and like her.  It is just amazing what some people are dealt in this life.         

  • ladyjane54
    ladyjane54 Member Posts: 192
    edited April 2009

    misty123:   So glad to hear from you.  I am soooo happy to hear the news about Malcolm's liver in the wings.  I hope you recover quickly and can  be with him soon.  Will continue to pray for you both.

    ddblatt:  I am hoping you find out your problems are due to the chemo. What scary words to read about mets.  Will the damage reverse itself if it was caused by the chemo?  The waiting is the worst. Sorry you have to spend the weekend thinking about it.  As we all probably do, I remember well the waiting for dx and not being able to think about anything else.  Sorry you have to play the waiting game again.

    Lisa: Hope you are feeling better soon.  My treatment has been delayed by two weeks now because of the pnuemonia and it is hard to have tx delayed.  It worked out well for me I guess because I got to go to Texas to see Aislynn, but now I am home and "my" reality is setting in again and after seeing my dr. today and  deciding that we will finish my tx up with 9 weeks of taxol instead of taxotere, I am now trying to accept the fact that my last chemo, assuming there are no other unforseen problems, will not be until June 11th,  which means rads all summer..

    Km47:  So glad you are home.  Hope your husband gets well soon and keeps all those flu germs to himself.

    Hope all of you who celebrate Easter have a great weekend and receive a renewed faith by celebrating the resurrection. 

    I am glad to be home and having had no chemo for over three weeks now feeling rather well and I will be enjoying the holidays with my DH and two younger children.

    Happy Easter.

    Patti

     

     

  • holtbolt
    holtbolt Member Posts: 625
    edited April 2009

    Misty - that is AWESOME news about Malcolm... keep us posted... we are all rooting for both of you.... sorry to hear you couldn't go through with the surgery right now but you'll get there.... hang in there... Smile

  • misty123
    misty123 Member Posts: 242
    edited April 2009

    Thanks ladies,

    I think I confused you all. I came in thurday for an outpatient L prop mast w/TE and I am still here. I did have my surgery I just haven't made it home yet, lots of drainage and low counts are keeping me admitted in the hospital.

    Malcolm is due for pre-op at 9 my oldest just called and hopefully surgeryat 10. I will keep you posted thru the night as I will just be laying here.

  • BerkeleyKim
    BerkeleyKim Member Posts: 390
    edited April 2009

    Misty: I'm so glad Malcolm will have the new liver soon, and I hope you're out of the hospital yourself ASAP and you will be able to heal together. Hugs and we are all cheering you both on.

    Brenda: Hope that transfusion today brings up the counts. When's your next Taxol? Halfway there!!!

    LadyJane: I love your granddaughter's name: Aislynn is beautiful. What a blessing to hold a newborn. Good luck with your tx decisions. I have done 7 of 12 Taxols. The dosage is lower so the SEs are supposedly less. So far so good for me, but I heard the Cumulative word too many times today from docs and nurses at tx. My counts were good today, and don't have much neuropathy and still have all nails. Knock on wood.

    YearoftheHat: I came home from Taxol #7 today and zzzzzzzzz for a couple hours like I have to each time (even now with the benadryl cut in half). You're half done, hooray!! Yes, it is like a marathon I would bet (ran Bay to Breakers back in the day but never again and never farther!!). One mile, then another, then another....I hope I'm not up til 2 am again. Maybe I'll ask about cutting steroids more--you're at 6? I'm snacking on nuts all the time---and just realized why I'm gaining weight!

    Mimi-thanks for checking in and giving us all some hope!! And good luck with the rest of the rads--I'll be there too some day down the road.

    Renrel-that cake recipe sounds amazing!!! I hope your son ended up ok at school. Good luck next week--hey maybe put an amazing bow on the fuzz??

    Ddlatt and Lisa-I'll be thinking of you both this weekend and hoping for excellent outcomes by Monday. It's just gotta be.

    Well, Jewels, happy easter, blessed passover to those who celebrate and observe those days. I  will color eggs with DH and spend time outside to appreciate and celebrate this time of rebirth and renewal and all that our earth shares with us. I will try to celebrate and understand this time of rebirth and renewal happening in my own body as any remaining unwelcome cells are bid adieu by the chemo and my healthy cells. Plus get all the paperwork done for work next week that of course I've been putting off all spring break!! (Yikes--and taxes...)

    HUGS to all. kim

  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited April 2009

    thank you so much for your kind thoughts and support! i'm kind of glad i have to wait until monday or tuesday for the results of the CT scan. if it's bad news, at least it isn't worrying me this weekend.

    i was at REI today and found the most perfect headwear for us baldies!  it's just a simple piece of material that you can do so much with, with and without hair, and it comes in many beautiful colors and fabrics: http://www.buffwear.co.uk/pages/technical/ways-to-wear.php  it's $15 and i bought a bunch of them. it's the perfect solution i've been looking for because i can't stand scarves or hats, and i don't wear a wig.

  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited April 2009

    ddlatt---So glad you are able to relax this weekend.  Still, my thoughts and vibes are sending all the positives your way.

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