For those starting chemo in June

janie44 · June 2005

Mary, I personally have found it doesn't matter so much what you eat before as it does afterwards. I have learned to eat light after.

mary1220 · June 2005

Thanks Janie, P.J. my heart is pumping at 50% so thats not real good but good enough to do Hercept. The every week is less medication and the every other is more and so on. so every wk. is easier on a person. Being a smoker thats where some of my heart slow down came from and the A/C added to that. Its not real bad but we have to watch it. I am sure age plays a role in it too. I would of never known about the slow down if they hadn't done the sono. but I do get a little out of breath from stairs. I thought that was from my smoking days but it must be my a/c.(or both). Gotta go get my treatment so later. Hugs, Mary

janie44 · June 2005

Mary,

How did it go? I've noticed that some are going once a week, some every 2, and some every 3 weeks.

mary1220 · June 2005

Janie, all went well and slept all evening and night thanks to the good ol benadryl. I go every wk. for 3 wks. and if my heart is o.k. then I will go every other wk. and my onky said maybe I can go every 3 wks. if all goes well. Got a 3 year old on my lap wanting to play puter games. Gotta go play wiggles games. Hugs, Mary

janie44 · June 2005

Glad to hear all is well Mary. Benedryl is wonderful except when it causes the dancing legs. They started giving me a pill instead of the IV when I started driving myself. I loved that instant short nap, but alas, that is the way it goes. I still go to sleep sometimes, but I would probably do that anyway once I get still for a few minutes.

Have a good afternoon everyone!

Janie

janie44 · June 2005

Mary, There is a question under the her2 gals heading that you might be able to address. I don't get to do hormone therapy so I can't help her.

NancyLee13 · June 2005

Hi Janie & Mary--Benedryl has the opposite effect on me. I wish it did work to make me sleep. I'd be able to take naps during the day. I haven't been able to do that in a LONG time. It does say on the packaging for Benedryl that "excitability may occur" especially in children. Maybe it's the kid in me?? I just get wired when they give me Benedryl, but I don't get any pre-meds with the Herceptin. Maybe that's because I take a daily Allegra and my doc knows that cuz he prescribed it? Today for fun I walked 3 miles at the very same time that my sister was walking in a BC walk in Oregon called Heaven Can Wait. I was entered in the walk, but couldn't go due to blood level issues. So my nephew walked in my place and I walked here in Montana and talked back and forth with them on our cell phones. I had them call me when they were at the halfway point so that I had some idea of how much further I should walk away from my house. It was really fun because I kept getting these funny looks from people cuz I was out walking around the lake and down the highway all alone on a Sunday morning chatting now and then to someone on the phone. There were 2500 people in the walk in Oregon so I pretended that I had 2499 other people walking with me. Next year I'll be done with the Herceptin and I intend to go over to Oregon and walk with them "for real". After I got back home, I got in my vehicle and drove back over the course of my walk and it was 3 miles exactly from my front door and back again. Cool, huh. Hope everyone had a Lovely weekend. Herceptin #30 tomorrow AM/22 to go, but who's counting? Smiles--NancyLee

janie44 · June 2005

Hi Nancy Lee,

If they gave me my Benedryl too fast, my legs danced and it was very uncomfortable, but if given just right, it was wonderful. The pill works well as far as warding off reactions etc.

My daughter just moved to Eugene a few months ago. She loves it out there.

I have Herceptin number 29 Wednesday. 23 to go. We are only a week apart.

Everyone have a great day/week.

Warm Fuzzies,

Janie

mary1220 · June 2005

Hi Girls, Janie I am not harmone recept. either. My onky said I could drive but I go comatose with over the counter benadryl too. I am getting 25mgs. in premed. Onk may cut it back if all goes well.Gotta go at work. Hugs, Mary

janie44 · June 2005

Hi all,

DO you HEr2 girls have any back problems?

mary1220 · June 2005

Hi Girls, Well Janie I have always had a little low back pain and it seems a lot worse since chemo and my hip pain is a lot worse and my shoulder and neck is worse. I guess I could sum it all up by saying I am a bag of hurting bones and joints and muscles since chemo. I take tylenol and always ask my onky "will this go away"? he says "uhhu" and I say "a year right"? "uhhu" he says and we leave it at that. I am affraid to pin him down for a real answer cause I am scared he may say I have to put up with it all my life. It seems any time I get a bad flu it always settles in my low back and hurts really bad. I have 2 slipped disc so maybe thats why but the pain I have now is the same and different (or some new kind of low back pain with the old). Ahhhh, I just hurt more than I did before and maybe its old age, I don't know. I get wore out a lot easier now thats for sure but I keep going until I darn near drag myself into bed. I just don't want to waste one minute of time. Shoot, I bet your sorry you asked now. Well better go. later girls, Mary

NancyLee13 · June 2005

Wow--Janie--We are just one week apart! Yesterday's Herceptin for some reason gave me one of the worst sneeze attacks yet. I literally sneezed for about 70 of the 85 miles back from the hospital. It had subsided to sniffles by this morning and the Allegra took care of that. I have some back pain which feels better after a hot shower. I'm not sure whether it's from the chemo, or the Allegra which lists back pain as one of its side effects, or if it's because I lay around more than I used to or because I tote around too many babies at the daycare. Who knows?? Mary--I read on the humor board that "After you reach a certain age, if you don't wake up with every joint in your body hurting, you're probably dead". I think that might be true. I'd like to wake up some morning and not have my feet hurt, but I'm just happy to wake up every morning so I'll live with it. When I ask a Time question, My onky says, "We can never be sure. Everyone reacts differently. I can't give you a time frame for length of this particular side effect". I think maybe UhHu is a better answer!! It's raining again here. I can't believe it--We've gone from extreme drought conditions to getting out plans to build an ark in the last few weeks. Life is good--Smiles--NancyLee

janie44 · June 2005

Nancy, I have sneezed a lot but I didn't make the connection. I did realize my constant case of the sniffles had to be the Herceptin. That started with the Taxol and continued with the Herceptin. I have always had back pain but I believe it is somewhat worse. The side effects does say flu-like symptoms.

Hope all is well with everybody.

Warm Fuzzies,

Janie

mary1220 · June 2005

Hi Girls, hope your o.k. P.J. Janie and Nancy I have had sniffles since I stopped Tax. and now they are worse from Hercept. It just tears loose and runs when I least expect it. I notice I can smell real good sometimes. It doesn't make me sick like with A/c but sometimes its like fathom exagerated smelling again and it goes away as quickley as it comes. Gotta get to bed. Hugs, Mary

janie44 · June 2005

Yep,

Herceptin is keeping Kleenex in business.

BTW- Everytime I come to this board lately, I get a popup from a Harley Medical Group in the UK advertising breast reconstruction etc. I delete it and it pops up again everytime I go to another thread. It is very annoying. Anybody else getting this?

NancyLee13 · June 2005

I have an Ad-zapper which came with my cursor. It takes care of pop ups so I never see them unless I get curious and go to the zapper and see what it has been zapping. My cursor used to be Nancy from the comics but for the past few months I've had a pretty little pink ribbon cursor. I have been sneezing, sneezing this morning. It could still be the H, but I think I may be catching a cold this time. It's SO cold here--41 degrees and raining again. BRRRR! Well, off to the shower to work out the morning kinks. Hope everyone has a super Thursday. Life is good--Smiles--Nancy Lee

mary1220 · June 2005

Hi Girls, I sure hope P.J. is doing o.k. and Renee is probably reading along. Well my little Her/2's I have diarrhea. I thought it was a bug but its the second day. I have never had it more than a day in my life. Something new for me. This little B.C. ride is giving me soo many new experiences. Back for more tomorrow. Ya know how when people fall asleep they pass gas, I just love the benadryl sleep. Last wk. I felt some gas pain and kept fighting sleep cause there was 2 men and 3 of us ladies and I knew if I fell asleep all hell would break loose. Gee, I was out in about 15 mins. I probably drooled and farted and my legs jumping around , Gee, I bet they all envied my husband!!!! Better go, Hugs, Mary

janie44 · June 2005

Nancy, you need to mail me some cold air and I need mail you some of this heat. It is in the 90's here and sweltering.

Mary, Mary, Mary, what can I say. I'm RIFLMAO. Herceptin does have it's peculiarities. I think of it as a zapper zapping the guy at the copy machine. You know the one, he makes copies of our cells too fast. Every time there is pain, gas, sniffling, or the backyard trots, just think of it as the big H scoring another one for our side.

PJB · June 2005

Hi folks. Been lurking for a couple days since we got back from San Antonio. We had a fun time at Seaworld and Six Flags. Beautiful walks down on the Riverwalk.

Of course, my hubby got sick the Six Flags day, so he got to stay in the nice cool hotel room...

Can't say I'm missing the opportunity to use that Herceptin. Sounds like a regular laugh riot. All's fine and toasty warm down here. Hope you guys have a good one.

NancyLee13 · June 2005

My dear, I would love to send you some of this cold air. I had shut my heater off during that little 2 day warm spell we had and now I'm thinking of crawling down on the floor and lighting the darn thing again. Brrrr! The high today was 45 degrees and it's been raining off and on all day. I'm all bundled up like it's winter or something. Good analogy of the zapper and the Xerox guy. I like that. Mary, you absolutely crack me up. It's especially funny cuz there was this guy in the chair next to me on Monday when I went for my H and he was snoring SO LOUD that I swear that my infusion pump was rattling every time he took in another snort. I kinda got the giggles at the time. At least I didn't have to be there for his 3 hour treatment. Herceptin is nice and short. I think I DO have a head cold. Rats!! Life is good--Smiles--NancyLee

mary1220 · June 2005

Hi Girls, Nan hope it warms up for you. P.J. glad you had a good time. I loved Sea World in San Diego. I bet Nathen loved 6 flags. We have one in St Louie but its an hour wait for the rides. 2 Herceptin down and 50 to go. I am really getting those buggers outta the way fast huh? At this rate I will be done in ...oh...about a year!!! They were running behind yesterday so even though I got there at 1:30 they got to me late so I got home at 4:30 and slept until 8. I was to be at the Cancer walk at 4. I went up at 8:20 and my friend Jean picked up my stuff for me. Shes a sweetie. I did explain to the ladie in charge of the victory lap what happened. I stayed about a half hour and it came up a bad storm and I got soaked running to my car. We have a down town square with the court house in the middle and people had tents set up because the walk and stuff goes on all night. They had bands and food and all kinds of things. Well I have to go to the place where my son works today for an open house. They have food and you get to tour the plant. He works for Caterpillar and makes trucks and tractors etc. (My son is a painter.) Janie, you getting rain? My dad and brothers and one brothers family are on their way home from Fla. They are driving. I think they left last night or this a.m. Well better get going, Hugs, Mary

janie44 · June 2005

Hiddy Ho There Ya All,

PJ, Sounds like you had a good time. My son, Patrick is here for the weekend. He is involved in a research project at UGA and it actually scheduled him to work down here (240 miles away) this weekend. We ate at IHOP this morning and there were many people there who were planning to go to Wild Adventures today. It is such nasty weather to be going there. Wild Adventures has many rides, a zoo, and features concerts during the evening.

Mary, it has been pouring the rain for a couple of days here. The wind was very strong earlier; however, the only really dangerous conditions here will be the potential floods. Those poor people further South will be the hardest hit. A lot of them usually seek shelter up here during inclimate conditions.

Nancy, hope you have warmed up. The hard winds cool it off somewhat down here, but when it isn't blowing, it is still hot, even with the rain.

I received these today via email and thought I would pass them along for a little light reading:

1. How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit? Unique Up On It.

2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit? Tame Way, Unique Up On It.

3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest? They Take The Psycho Path

4. How Do You Get Holy Water? You Boil The Hell Out Of It.

5. What Do Fish Say When They Hit a Concrete Wall? Dam!

6. What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long? Polaroid's

7. What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't work? A Stick

8.. What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours? Nacho Cheese.

9.. What Do You Call Santa's Helpers? Subordinate Clauses.

10. What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand? Quattro Sinko..

11. What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow? Spoiled Milk.

12. What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire? Frostbite.

13. What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches? A Nervous Wreck.

14. What's The Difference Between Roast Beef And Pea Soup? Anyone Can Roast Beef.

15. Where Do You Find a Dog With No Legs? Right Where You Left Him.

16. Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils? Because They Have Big Fingers.

17. Why Don't Blind People Like To Sky Dive? Because It Scares The Dog.

18. What Kind Of Coffee Was Served On The Titanic? Sanka.

19. What Is The Difference Between a Harley And a Hoover? The Location Of The Dirt Bag.

20. Why Did Pilgrims' Pants Always Fall Down? Because They Wore Their Belt Buckle On Their Hat.

21. What's The Difference Between a Bad Golfer And a Bad Skydiver? A Bad Golfer Goes, Whack, Dang! A Bad Skydiver Goes Dang! Whack.

22. How Are a Texas Tornado And a Tennessee Divorce The Same? Somebody's Gonna Lose A Trailer.

Ü

Warm Fuzzies, Janie

mary1220 · June 2005

Janie, glad you get to see your son. It is hard having the kids far away and not being able to see them when you miss them. Every time I leave Az. I have a tear or two escape and run down my cheek. I don't see the two kids that live close as much as I would like. Hey has anyone noticed their eyes not up to normal with the hercept.? Mine was back to good and now they are a little blurry like when I was on the other crap but not as bad. Well hope all are having a great wk. end. Hugs, Mary

mary1220 · June 2005

Hi Girls, My wonderfuf plumbing enept husband got a wild idea to change the tub surround and faucets. A "surprise" for me. It was a nice idea but we all know how plumbing and carpentery lacking he is but he wanted to try. It would save us money!!!! 3 days with no water to the bathroom and after the plumber got here it took about 3 hours to get it all redone and working. Now we spent about $60.00 for the stuff the plumber had to take out and redo with his pipes and of course the plumber bill. It would of been sooo much easier and cheaper to call a plumber in the first place. He better find something to keep him busy cause I can't afford to keep "fixing" up the house. Oh Lord, if he decides to surprise me again I will kill him. Now I get to clean up the bathroom. Better go do that, He is quiet so I better see what he is up to. Hugs, Mary

PJB · June 2005

I think that's one thing you never should try to do on your own: plumbing. It rarely goes well when anyone I know has done their own. But, to make you feel better, our neighbors had to have plumbers out for 12 HOURS on MEMORIAL DAY. I'm sure that cost them a pretty penny. I only hope whatever it was got fixed.

Hope you all are doing well. Just a boring, hot weekend down here. But I'll take boring and hot, as opposed to last year's sickening and hot...

crayola · June 2005

This is my first post, hope I get it right. I had my yearly screening mammogram in April, then a diagnostic mammogram followed by a stereotactic biopsy. I had a lumpectomy on May 19th with a sentinal node biopsy. My tumor was poorly differentiated and 2 cm. I had one microscopically positive node.

I started AC chemo on June 7th. I will have 4 treatments followed by weekly taxol for eight weeks, then radiation treatment and tamoxifen. I have to say, it is going to be difficult getting through this summer. I have had a rough 6 days since the treatment but hope to make it to work tomorrow. I have ups and downs and am still able to exercise alittle, but not as much as I would like. I had horrible constipation after the first treatment and I am going to take corrective steps before the second!

I am 47 as of 5/26; married with 4 cats and a dog. I have no children. It is great having this chat room, maybe we can all get through this tough time together. I guess all my rafting trips will be on hold this summer but I plan on being back on the rivers next year! Good luck to everyone on their treatment.

Has anyone heard that taxol is easier. I have my niece's wedding to go to on 9/10 and really want to make it.

janie44 · June 2005

Good morning Rafter,

I started AC on June 7 one year ago so your regimen will pretty much follow the schedule I was on. I had AC every 3rd week for 12 and 12 weekly Taxols followed by radiation and Herceptin. I will remain on the weekly Herceptin for one year but it is only for those of us who are HER2 positive. AC makes you the most nauseous. Most do not have nausea with Taxol. I did but not as bad. Everyone is different. I personally thought Taxol was worse but most think AC is worse. Taxol causes joint and bone pain; however, I did fly in to see my elderly parents in October. AC may cause your counts to go down but they have shots for that. THere are many wonderful nausea drugs out there now as well. I took prescribed pain medicine a few times but often got by with Tylenol. God bless you on your journey. It will not be easy but it is doable and not as bad as most expect. Hugs. Janie

janie44 · June 2005

Nancy, hope your cold is better. PJ, did you get wind and rain or did it all come this direction? Renee, how is the weather up there? It seems to be extremely hot or cold with the rest of us. Mary, keep the hubby in line -- and I know you will.
Warm Fuzzies, Janie

mary1220 · June 2005

Janie, I posted on the her2 board. I was up throwing up lastnight and I feel queezy today. I don't know if its hercept. or I am not regular. The Hercept. must be constapating. Maybe its both. I have felt queezy off and on but not gotten sick until lastnight. Gotta scat I am at work. Hugs, Mary

rlswkndr · June 2005

I had my mammo on Friday and all appears to be good... No other phone calls today, so that's a good sign.
It has been so hot and humid- we skipped spring. But this week should be back to normal- about 70's and breezy. Just in time for our Relay for Life this weekend. I am the honorary chair. I have busy training- getting into shape for the Danskin Triatholon. It's going good. I am working on my running- which is the hardest for me. I thought the swimming would be bad, but I actually like it. Who'd have known, after all these years of sitting in a hot tub!
Off to rest now. Hang in there you her2 guys!
Renee

For those starting chemo in June

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