**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

Options
1…4445474950…182

Comments

  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 3,050
    edited April 2009
    Crusader1 just sent you a  pm ... loved the graphic!  Wink
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PattiB
    PattiB Member Posts: 421
    edited April 2009

    Pickle - Loved the joke for the day - Evening out was good, stayed out til 1:00 and haven't done that in a long time. Friends boyfriend nice.  I am really tired today.  Mother-in-Law is from Italy and you know they love to see everyone eat so went for one of her huge breakfasts this morning, and she made me 5 lbs of chicken wings (Italian style) to bring home for the week, something I have been craving.  Yummy.

    Kellerka - Glad you got out for some Vitamin D and something you enjoy doing, that is important.

    Crusader - Glad you had a good birthday lunch.

    To whoever (sorry I forget) mentioned about the red spots on their chest from the Echocardiogram?  The red L that appeared on the back of my hand has now turned dark tan, very dry and seems to almost be peeling, did this happen to the marks that you had? Can't wait to hear what NP has to say on Wed. when she sees this.

    To all who are feeling under the weather, I hope you feel better now or soon and have a SE minimal/free week.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PattiB
    PattiB Member Posts: 421
    edited April 2009

    Maidmarion - forgot to mention enjoyed the pictures.  Your wig looks great.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MichelleinSJ
    MichelleinSJ Member Posts: 133
    edited April 2009

    Diane, I might take you up on the tour of DC!  My daughter (who has never been before) is going next Sunday (to the Holocaust Museum with her Hebrew class) and again on an 8th grade class trip later in May.  But now that the baby of the family is 6 I feel like I could handle a family day down there (it can be a day trip or overnight trip for us).  Something else is that we used to go to Baltimore for the day every two years, and we haven't been there in almost six years (little was in a Bjorn carrier last time)!  So I want to go there this summer, too.  Maybe Inner Harbor for a day, then down to DC overnight and the next day.

    Michelle

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited April 2009

    NanaA! Hope your SE are minimal!  You have been thru so much!! Keep up your good attitude

    Michelle!  Good for you signing up for the walk I was going to walk the Avon Walk in may , but I was Dx with my second BC and would be going thru chemo, and decided to wait for next year.  My 3 friends are walking for me!!!! I give you all my support and Good Wishes!  You Go Girl!!! Kick this DX in the A--!! I am proud of you! Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MichelleinSJ
    MichelleinSJ Member Posts: 133
    edited April 2009

    Gina, who among us have you met?

    Michelle

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MichelleinSJ
    MichelleinSJ Member Posts: 133
    edited April 2009

    Last post for now.  I've got to get dinner on the table!  The steroids are not working as they should.  I don't have the burst of energy.  Oh well. 

    I can't comment on individual pictures because I'm too disorganized and I get too far behind, but man, the bald women just get better and better!

    Jan, I've noticed my favorite pants are suddenly quite snug.  I don't want to get on that scale at the onco's tomorrow morning.  Maybe I'll cover my eyes.  I went from a size 10 to a size 4 (size 2 in dresses) in 2007, and that was hard work.  Now I'm eating whatever I want, I'm starting to have hot flashes, and I feel different.  But I do some sort of mild exercise almost everyday.  Okay, I used to do vigorous exercise, but at least I'm not sedentary!

    I hope everyone had a great weekend, and happy birthday to Francine and Luv2Sing (when you feel comfortable, tell us your name, okay?).

    Michelle

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited April 2009

    Michelle: What a great thing you are doing by joining in the walk and I am truly honored that you are putting the March Warrior Princesses on your back. You go Girl!Smile

    Beth P

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 3,050
    edited April 2009

    Pickle141...Thanks!  Look forward to your silly thoughts of the day, too!  So many of us know the feeling of the hair coming out and feeling "patchy"  When you join  those of us that have gone the bald route...let us know.

    Nadine...I figure when the snow flies again things should be back to some kind of normal...(that's even hard to write, I don't know what normal is anymore)

    Michelleins...What a great idea!  Remember to take a pic for us, what an honor!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chick717
    chick717 Member Posts: 58
    edited April 2009

    Just wanted to chime in on the weight gain thing: I lost about ten pounds in two weeks following my diagnosis in January.  I was too stressed to eat and afraid to eat anything that might be "bad".  I have gained it all back and then some - during chemo.  I suspect it's because food is the only pleasure I still have.  I feel decidedly unsexy, not drinking, and avoiding crowds means not going out to concerts: that means no sex, drugs, or rock and roll!  So I eat for fun! Still battling hives every time I exert myself in the least, so not exercising.  

    I have decided not to feel guilty about the pounds or the exercise.  There will be time for that when my hair comes back! 

    Francine :HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!   

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Luv2sing
    Luv2sing Member Posts: 145
    edited April 2009

    Hello Everybody!!!

    I'm just getting in and cannot keep up with the conversations (LOL)!  Thank you all for boosting my confidence.  I went to Church this morning (the real test) and people were confused (I'm still laughing!!!), they were amazed at how quickly my hair grew back (I'm on the floor now!!)!???  I have to say the one inconvenience is I can't just snatch it off when I get home (bummer).  I'm thinking good thoughts for all those having a rough time ... just to put things into perspective .... I'm feeling kinda bad too, but one of my girlfriends who's going thru chemo has developed mouth sores, sooooo I count myself lucky (fingers crossed).  My Real Name - It never crossed my mind that I hadn't and I do apologize for not addressing that early on Smile.  My name is Raymon (pronounced Ra-moan) and from now on I'll remember to include it in my posts.  Weight Gain - I've gained 10 and lost 6 since my diagnosis.  I seem to keep getting back to the higher weight whenever it's time to be weighed, so I guess you could say I've gained a total of 10 pounds since starting chemo the first week of March (OMG!!!!) at this rate I'll be the Goodyear blimp in no time!  The pictures are all beautiful!!  Crusader1 - You do NOT look 62!!  Michelle - Good luck with the walk!  I'm trying to look back at the posts, but it's not working for me, I can't remember what I've just read (LOL)! 

    I'll be calling my surgeon tomorrow ... seems my port is still sore and it's been 3 weeks since the last time they accessed it.  There seems to be kinda 'knot' in neck where the tubing is supposed to end and the breast they removed the tumor from in Feb. is sore and I felt a hard 'spot', don't want to call it a lump ... but it's near the incision so it just may be scar tissue.  Will have both checked this week, so wish me luck.

    Everyone - To those celebrating, going for tx, or just going thru, I wish you happiness, love and peace.

    Hugs & Kisses, Raymon 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txgal
    txgal Member Posts: 58
    edited April 2009

    Hi Chris...I did Taxol and it wasn't bad at all.  On my first day I overheard some women talking about their side effects and it flipped me out but mine wasn't as bad as most.  My pre-meds were Benedryl and Tagamet all the time, and a steriod just the first time to make sure there was no allergic reaction.  I never received the steroid again.  The whole process took about three hours from start to finish (including set-up and flushing) because there was a 30 minute rest period inbetween pre-meds (30 minutes) and Taxol (90 minutes).  My biggest complaint was that my taste buds were affected and everything tasted like shredded cardboard.  They came back about a week after the last infusion so it didn't last long.  I did get tingling in my hands and feet and after about the 5th round.  There were actually more side effects that showed up after all of the infusions were finished.  Nothing big, just annoying, like nails turning white and lifting off of the nail beds along with some oozing from under the nails that had a terrrible smell.  My fingers did get a bit sensitive for a couple of weeks that made buttoning pants and shirts difficult, but other than those few things, I didn't get any of the bone pain or problems that some others have mentioned.  I kept a spreadsheet of everything...temp, weight, what I ate, how I felt, etc because a lot of people know exactly what will happen on which day of the week.  That never happened with me.  I also didn't have any fatigue and continued to go to the gym for light workouts at least 5 days a week.  Everyone is different but I hope you do just as well as I did.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bwbly
    bwbly Member Posts: 82
    edited April 2009

    Chris, I haven't had diarrhea much. My abdominal pains seems to be more constipation, but not totally stopped up LOL. It's mainly a major discomfort .... not put me to bed painful. I haven't had any problems with blood counts .... just high potassium levels, which we are trying to bring back down by adjusting my meds (the ones I've been taking for years ... nothing to do with BC).

    I've said before ..... Nana sure seems to take lots of steroids by mouth. I only get steroids on day of chemo and they are IV not oral. So I'm usually up quite a bit Tuesday night, but sleep just fine the rest of the time.

    The numbness/tingling in my fingers is nothing new .... left hand is the one already affected by my previous stroke and right hand, I have mild carpal tunnel. So I wasn't surprised that's where the numbess/tingling comes and goes.

    Overall, the Taxol is no biggie .... as I said, I still work full time + overtime, with no problems at all. On Friday, I'm a little more tired than before BC, but nothing I can't handle. I just go to bed early on Friday nights LOL.

    Bunny

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Janet0527
    Janet0527 Member Posts: 141
    edited April 2009

    Michelle - I love that you're going to walk for the March Warrior Princesses.  Note - I live in the DC area, too, so if you come this way and hook up with Diane, keep me in the loop.  I'm NW of the city by 40 minutes in the MD suburbs. =)

    Wishing everyone a good week. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited April 2009

    Michelle - when are you walking? I think that's awesome. The big buzz here is the 3day in September. I think training for 60 miles right now is out of the question.

    Let's see if I can copy a link to Carol's post...the Seattle gals get togehter this past week....

    OK - no idea how to copy a post link. 

    Anyway, the gals that I met were (starting to my left...I am the only bald girl with the baseball hat) Susan (aprilgirl1), Tracy (tkone), Kristina (not a member but went through all this in 07/08 I think), Carol (golf779) and Robin (Swimfan).  We met at a Red Robin downtown near the ferry terminal. Good central location. Lots of fun. We are going to try and do it again in June. I am naturally quite shy and really have to pinch myself to do things that fall outside my comfort zone. I dont remember ever feeling so happy to walk into a restuarant and meet 5 perfect strangers as I was on Wednesday. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited April 2009

    Happy Birthday today to Francine and Linda!

    Happy Birthday tomorrow to Raymon.

    hugs,

    Diane

    still nursing my cold......it is running its course fairly fast....hoping to make my Wed chemo appt.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited April 2009

    Hi Gina......I found a similar thread a month or so ago for the northern virginia area....I hope to get together with some of them after I finish chemo.  I did meet a gal that just finished chemo in early March....young with 2 boys 2 and 5.  Hoping to connect with her in the next few weeks.  She lives about 10 minutes from me.  Hard to believe there are SOOOOO many of us out there.

    Hope everyone had a good weekend....this cold stinks...and my #1 dd has the cold, too.....guess we are all going to get it.  can I pop some steroids to make it go away faster? Smile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MichelleinSJ
    MichelleinSJ Member Posts: 133
    edited April 2009

    Gina, great picture!  I hope I do get to meet up with many of you.  Francine, I almost went to NYC on Friday or Saturday, but I never made it.

    Michelle

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 3,050
    edited April 2009

     

    Gina...Great pic!  I know about stepping out of your comfort zone...ie. starting to post on here, I read for weeks before I finally started posting.  Putting up my pics, eke, for all to see, definelty out of my comfort zone! ha!  My dh was watching the Tiger/Mariners game yesterday and they showed the needle in Seattle, I thought of pink wigs! ha!'

                                                                                  didle20diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • maidmarion
    maidmarion Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2009

    PattiB, Arnie, Pickle141 & Francine Thank you for the compliments, and thank you Arnie & Pickle for the smiles you put on my face each day with your thoughts of the day and funny graphics.

    Happy Birthday Luv2sing Raymon! Hope all goes well with at the surgeon appointment today.

    Good Luck to those having TX's this week, PattiB, Bwbly, and anyone I missed. Hope you are able to have yours Pickle

    Gina Great picture looked like you were having fun...Now exactly what you mean about comfort zone, I too have those issues, so good on you. I do find myself doing things now I maybe wouldn't have, reasoning well if I can get through all this then what the hey just do it!

    Just popped my first set of steriods this morning ready for tomorrow, does anyone else get a red face and chest from these things? I look like I've been in the sun, lasts for about three days.

    Sending healing thoughts to all.

    Julie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 3,050
    edited April 2009

    Thanks Maidmarion!  That's the whole intent of the graphics, it's fun for me and hopefully brings smiles to people. 

    I'm on AC...have 2nd dose tomorrow.  Will I take the steroids when I start the Taxotere?  I just don't know...

    Hope tomorrow goes well for you and we both have few if any SE's.

    Agree with you're sending healing thoughts to all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited April 2009

    Morning All!  arnie!  Love the graphics, My comfort zone does not allow for pictures!!!! We are the worst at taking them!!! So it does not even enter my brain! My poor daughter, she is into sports, and we always forget the camera, we have a new video camera , that has been in the box since Christmas, bigger fish to fry, I guess!

    Tomorrow is my 3rd TAC I'll get decadron, tagament and benedryl, as pre meds, then have a couple of sleepless nights, and tons of energy during the day.  If that is all I get, no complaints, here!

    Good Luck to all having Tx, and appts today! Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 3,050
    edited April 2009

    Dawnmrn1 Thanks!  I hear ya, I'm always getting teased that the next generation is not gonna know what I looked like...love the delete button! ha!

    IT'S RAININ LIKE CATS AND DOGS HERE...WHO HAS THE SUNSHINE???

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited April 2009

    Good morning all......it is raining like crazy here outside DC, too.  I am working from home until 1:00 today and just spent the last hour listening to my 18 month scream bloody murder for me.  She apparently does not want to spend her morning with the babysitter.  UGH.  I need to work.

    My cold is a little bit better........I am hopeful for a Wed appt for chemo.  

    Good luck to all getting treatments today!  We are getting there gals!!!!!!!

    Raymon, let us know what your wonderful family did for you on your birthday!

    Arnie, LOVE your posts!  Thanks for the get well banner Smile Lots of hot tea for me today!

    Michelle....come down ANYTIME, I have room here if you can handle 3 busy kids.

    Gina...great picture of you and your Seattle group!

    I am getting serious chemo brain with trying to keep up with everyone so if I missed anyone, I'm sorry. Frown

    hugs

    Diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jdeking
    jdeking Member Posts: 408
    edited April 2009

    Morning all!

     Happy birthday to Francine, Raymon, and Linda (I know I am a little belated, but I hope your days were wonderful!)

    I love all the pics, welcome to the bald club and you look fab maidmarion, pickle, janet & arnie!! (If I missed anyone else who posted pics, I am sorry).

    MOB - Welcome back! I have had issues with weight since all of this started too. I lose 5-8 lbs in the week after chemo, then put it all back in the 2 weeks after that. I have managed to weigh exactly the same at each treatment, but it has been a yo-yo in the meantime. We'll see how much I weigh Friday for #4 - I feel heavier this time. I guess we can all get back to the gym when this is all over. That is my plan... and I try to walk now and again when I feel up to it.

    kellerka - hope you are feeling better!

    luv2sing - the lace front wig looks really great! Has it been hot yet? I'd worry that I'd want to rip it off in the middle of a hot flash! lol.

    Janet - your dog is beautiful. I walk one at the animal shelter that is almost the spitting image! He is a great dog.

    Cyndi, laurie41, IowaDiva (Carol), & Ricki13 - hope you are all doing well, haven't heard much from ya lately! Check in when you can!

    I had a good weekend, and am enjoying the week before treatment. Hope all goes well with #4 and am starting to look forward to getting nearer the end of this journey!

    Have a great day, and good luck to all getting treatments!

    Janine

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited April 2009

    In NH it is sunny and cool supposed to rain this evening!  I have the Look Good Feel Better Class tonite, my friends sister is one of the girls running it, it should be fun!!! Looking forward to the loot!

    Diane!  Feel better, that baby doesn't feel good either!!  Have a great day! Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nasharayne
    nasharayne Member Posts: 139
    edited April 2009

    Happy Birthday Luv2sing!!!

     Arnie- I'm getting taxotere and I take steroids via IV the day of treatment.  Then 2 each morning for the next three days.  I don't have any trouble sleeping.  In fact I can usually get a nap in during the day. I wish I did get that steroid boost of energy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marshall2000
    marshall2000 Member Posts: 110
    edited April 2009

    Luv2sing: Happy Birthday!  I think it may have been yesterday and if so i apologize. I am mixed up today, will post more to everyone later, i have to run and pay water bill that i forgot abouot. UGH

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 3,050
    edited April 2009
    Hey nasharayne...thanks for the info.  I'm glad to hear that you've had no trouble sleeping...I did after my first dose of AC...3 more AC then I start the Taxotere...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • maidmarion
    maidmarion Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2009

    Hey Arnie.....Lovely blue skies down here 80 degrees and rising...sorry ...I will send some your way!  On the steriods, I am Getting 8mg Decadron twice a day the day before Tx ( Taxotere & Cytoxan) then in my IV day of and then 8mg the day after, and I too do not lose sleep, but tend to talk a lot and pace they say at work! Here's wishing you minimal Se's too!

    Bloodwork was all good today so I am on for tomorrow, and I will be halfway there! Talking about work....its off with the cool Buff and on with the hot wig thank goodness for air con...maybe I will just go in my Buff at some point, really don't mind about the questions from clients, just sometimes mindful of the time at work, busy clinic.

    Julie

    Utoh..jinxed it clouds just came over...:-(

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories