Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Firni, you're right about the next steps. At least all I have to do is get through the surgeries. I don't think there will be many surprise side effects or complications. It will all be pretty straightforward. What a relief!!!

Texas,  I am sorry for what you are going thru. Hang in there, better times are coming.

Swest, cebula : I can't wait for my vacation to come. I am off in July for 10 days.

I had the port removed today. They gave me a local anesthetic and one time the doctor touched a part that was "live". It was not funny. Other than that it was not too bad, but I hope I don't have to do this ever again.

Now, I feel that I am done with the treatment.

Today for lunch I had a grilled salmon salad with lettuce and radishes from my garden.  The simple things are so sweet.

Simvog - Glad to hear that you got your port out.  For me that was the biggest reminder that I had cancer.  I can't believe he hit a live spot.  That would have freaked me out.  I would have had a panic attack right there.  Take it easy and get some rest.  You will back to your self in no time!

Firni - I wish I am heading out your way.  Well not real close but some what.  One of my best friends just bought a home about 20 mins. from Gunison.  She has paid my airfare so I would go.  Otherwise I could not afford to have a vacation this year.  I am so blessed to have friends and family that are looking out for my mental health as well as my physical health.

Texas - It just keeps coming!  I am so sorry!  I wish I could send you some relief for all of the SE's!  Hang in there!!!

Lisa - Very interesting article.  I hope I'm one of the lucky ones!

Thanks Bobcat, that's exactly how I hope my PS does it. I've read about graft procedures and if that's what she intends, I think I'll take a pass.

I lost fingernail #7 yesterday. Bit the bullet and ran out to Target for some fake nails, since I was going to a big shindig last night. They are already popping off but they made me feel like Cinderella for a few hours. My hands look so ugly with stubby partial nails that are discolored and have big humps in them. The nurses told me not to use fake nails but I figure every now and then can't hurt since the infection is gone now.

The tube implanted in my right eye feels like someone is sticking me in the eye with a stick. Hurts, hurts, hurts. I think it might have shifted. I see the doctor next Thursday. Too many appointments in the meantime to try to move it up so I'll just have to deal with the pain.

Try to relax Firni. I got a mosquito bite on my lymphedema arm a few weeks ago. I survived and so did my arm. Why is it they warn us about every little thing for lymphedema and yet let us get surprised by so many of the chemo side effects?

LOL Firni: As for me, I'd rather be pleasantly surprised when something bad doesn't happen. Treat me like an adult, don't spoon feed me like a child. 

I wish I could move it Colleen, but his only other time is tomorrow morning when I've got radiation and my bone density test set up. Treatment is really a full time job, isn't it? I have just 1-1/2 weeks longer of radiation. Woo hoo!

I went to my PCP appt. today to go over labs that he had run.  My liver and kidney functions are super, my B12 is off the charts.  Folate is good but Vit. D is low.  All the other CBC stuff was normal.  He was thrilled that my body has recovered so well from the chemo.  I asked him about my swollen foot and he said compression.  Other than that, talk to onc.  I also asked him about some local estrogen product for some dysfunction there.  He said he'd have to talk to onc.  I told him that onc's PA told me he would say no.  So he called onc on the spot and had a long discussion about quality of life, treating the whole person etc. ( I love my PCP) Onc said yes, IF I try a silicone lubricant called Pink first.  Has to be the silicone not water based.  Onc said I could get it in any sex store.  Not.  I ordered some on line from cheaplubes.com. It really was the cheapest place.  It should be here by the weekend.  I'll let you know how it works.  I know so many of us are having problems in that area.  PCP said if it doesn't work for me or at least relieve some of the discomfort, he'll Rx some local estrogen (now with Onc's blessing).

I also gave him an online brochure that tells how Wellbutrin  interferes with Tamoxifen.  He felt bad that he missed that.  But so has onc.  So PCP did some quick research and took me off of it and we're going to try Zoloft for awhile.  I was taking the Wellbutrin for hot flashes and doc said Zoloft doesn't help with that. Taking away the Wellbutrin and taking the Tamoxifen I'm afraid I'm in for a journey thru hell with hot flashes.  I was glad to have an anti depressant during this past year, but I don't know that I really need to continue with one much longer.  

I saw the onc today.  Everything went well she did routine blood work and I will get results by weeks end.  She also put me in the system for bone density and also for the genetic testing.  She said that I would be contacted.  So just more tests to look forward to.  But everything else seemed fine. 

Firni - Glad you also got a good report.  It still amazes me how all Drs. don't think the same.  But it is good that your PCP seems like he is on top of things.

Swest - My onc said that even though I have not had my period since Oct. there is still a possibility I could get back.  I hope that after going through the hot flashes and all the other menopause things it does not come back.  I do not want to start all over again.  I was the same way when I was getting my fills.  Not being able to sleep on my side.  But it does get better once you have the exchange surgery.

Stay well - Colleen

Hey ladies, I had my bone density test yesterday and got great results. I've had osteopenia for years due to a parathyroid tumor, and it's actually improved with the use of a supplement I found online plus calcium citrate and Vitamin D. I was doing the happy dance!

I can finally count 5 new eyelashes (if I get out the magnifying mirror and very bright light). I got so excited that I grabbed the mascara just to try to darken them in. It didn't work of course, but it gave me another reason to laugh.

Now if my head can only stop looking like a chia pet.

Thank you everyone for your advice on sleeping with these hard shells for boobs!  I think this fill is going to be tougher than the previous fills.  I am feeling this one!!  Nothing that OTC drugs can take care of.

Texas - It's about time you got good news!  I'm doing a happy dance with you!!!

I think I will be talking with my doctor about genetic testing.  Do you have to have a family history of BC to qualify?

Go for it Texas.  You're lucky to have enough hair to color.  I'd just be dying my head.  I'd have to tape pink ribbons to my head and call it hair!

Sonia, I think Texas is right about needing family history for ins. to pay for the test.  You could call them and see.  For stuff like that, it's always a good idea to get it pre approved.  Your docs. office might do that for you.

Sue, it's good to hear from you.  Sorry that you still have some chemo stuff going on, but I guess that's the price we're all paying in varying degrees.  I hope your hyst. goes ok.  That's coming up pretty fast.  No one has suggested that to me yet and I don't know if I want to ask.  I'd like to stay away from the scalpel for awhile.