Starting Chemo February 2009?

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  • Gramof3
    Gramof3 Member Posts: 301
    edited August 2009

    Kerry  I'm the one with the scarf & 3 kids.  Is it to late for me to change my name?--Like Helen Goodwin Barnett (that's how my classmates would remember me anyway)...I think I'll try it.

    Apple  I just sent a permission to FB.  Thanks for asking to be a friend--is that all I do?   Questions, questions--probably not good to try to figure it out the day after chemo --oh well I'm home today, so will work on it.

    Judy The cookie recipe is now "officially" in my recipe box!  You might call your cancer center or onc to ask about blood work--it could have been an oversight.  I see my dr. next Monday for my post chemo visit, and I checked--he does want blood work.

    Oh, a footnote to last week's fiasco and my threat to lie down in the waiting room.  When I checked in yesterday, Ms. receptionist who kept insisting last week that my appt was canceled, wouldn't make eye contact.  It really wasn't her fault as I believe the error took place in scheduling, and I intended to explain that to her, but she wasn't in the mood, I guess!

    Have a good day, Furies! 

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  • Gramof3
    Gramof3 Member Posts: 301
    edited August 2009

    I have submitted a request to change my FB name to Helen Goodwin Barnett, but it may take 24 hours.

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited August 2009

    Okay so 3 hours before I have to be at the hospital and I am wishing that I had a first appt. in the morning for surgery.  I can't stand waiting....  I have already tried to fix myself a drink and decide what I was going to eat today (meaning this morning).  It's gonna be a long day...

    I did get my stitches out yesterday and it appears that my previously split open incision is healing okay.  Now I just pray it stays that way. 

    Off to finish up last minute details.  I will be back soon!! 

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited August 2009

    Jaimie - good luck today! I will be thinking of you.

    Try not to be too nervous, harder said than done, I know. That is the worst thing about not being the first in of the day - too much waiting around. Do you have someone at home to help with the kids??

    Let us know how you are doing as soon as you are able.

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  • Denali
    Denali Member Posts: 347
    edited August 2009

    Jaimie - you need a good book to take your mind off and help the time pass.  Good luck to you today and remember we'll be standing all around you.  Ladies, let's try not to lose many feathers from our boas in the OR.  You know how we always leave a trail....

    Helen, that's great news from the dr!  Can we please break out the champaigne??

    I went in for my Herceptin and saw the oncologist.  All's fine.  I asked the nurse if they measured tumor markers in the blood and she said only for recurrences and mets.  (They also don't routinely do scans)  She said that they test so many other things in the blood, that it will show there first, if anything's going on.  Also, the dr will be examining me every 3 mos.  She says measuring tumor markers is too emotional  for patients. 

    Also, when I sheepishly asked for another scrip for Ambian, she said not a problem.  She said the chemo has made chemical changes in our brains that are still going on.  So it's perfectly natural that we would still need sleep aids after chemo.  WHEW!  So I won't be going to Rehab after all (she says while hiding her emergency supply of Xanex to the back of the medicine cabinet).

    I start taking Arimidix today.  I told the dr that at age 60 my joints already ache, so if I start complaining after the new meds to remind me I was whining way before taking Arimidix.  I think I'll take them at night.  I'm ready.....and armed with ibuprofen.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited August 2009

    good luck Jamie... this is the 'other' surgery ?

    a little note... i bought my daughter a tube of Avon hi-lites for blondes at a garage sale.. anyway,.. i look at her and her hair is about 3 shades lighter).. who'd a thunk it would bleach her hair.  Fortunately, it looks absolutely fantastic,  and as a swimming pool junky people can assume it is a chorine effect.. but i feel pretty stupid.  she's only 10.  almost 10,.

     talked a bunch with my girlfriend/partner/musical cohort who had her first chemo last week.  She's emotionally fragile and i am so mean.   She's talking with someone about starting chemo, mentioned that so and so is such a 'pita"(pain in the ***) and starts tearing up.  I wanted to hug her and rock her  and comfort her.. commiserate in our breast cancer sisterhood but instead i said "Barbara - you are almost 6 feet tall.. you gotta man up"  ... she looked at me kind of funny but started laughing.  I told her that were other people on this planet that were sympathetic and loving and i was sorry out of all those people .. she had me for a friend.  totally serious of course.

    i just love her - such an amazon. she really helped me get thru my year of treatment and i feel so inadequate..i think she just wanted a hug.   i guess I'll make her some of those toffee oatmeal cookies.. try out that recipe.

    to everyone i so enjoy reading the snippets - the windows into your lives, your struggles.. Some of you are so good about responding individually...i have a ton of things to do today.

    Mostly my two boys are driving me bats. and the suck at mowing..  i super mowed yesterday..because unless i yell at them they just sit in the air conditioning and eat bon bons on the sofa.  (so to speak).

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited August 2009

    Helen~ I'm soooo happy for you!!! Great news!

    Jaimie~ Good luck today.  I'll be thinking of you.

    Kerry~ How's the exercise going? How are you feeling?

    Apple~ Color me impressed... I can't push the mower yet... I can't even work the edger... My goal for this Saturday is to trim bushes.  Maybe I can do that??

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited August 2009

    we have the equivalent of 4 lawns to mow.. nooks and crannies..a  small field or two.. I've always mowed to keep my weight down. it's a workout.  after living here 12 years tho, things are beginning to look pretty cultured in a relaxed way... that's what defensive gardening will get you.

    Furies - what is the best gift someone gave you when they found out you were diagnosed  food? dinner? music? a gift certificate?

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  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited August 2009

    Jamie - It is so so hard to let go and just move on.  I too still have questions and things I want to learn on my pathology report.  I know it doesn't change things but I still go back there for some sick stupid reason.   Maybe it is just part of the whole process.  I saw a psychologist just once so far.  It is tough scheduling it with all of the other appts I still have.  All of these medical appts create mental problems for me.  We need to spend as much time vacationing and on hobbies as we have on our medical treatments.

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  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited August 2009

    Apple - That's a toss up between food and my mother in law arranged for a cleaning person to come in to our home.  Not only was it helpful but expressed to me that she knew what my needs were.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited August 2009

    This sounds like a funny thing to have been the "nicest thing someone did for you" but - we have a neighbour who was gettng an addition put on his house. He was digging out an area where the addition was going and asked us if we wanted the dirt. We have a soggy backyard in spring, and have been building up the flower beds around the perimeter to try and keep the water contained. Anyhow, this was last Fall, and my husband was going to do all the wheelbarrowing, but then I was Diagnosed, and everything sort of hit the fan. Anyhow, this lovely neighbour did it all himself, I would look out the window and there he would be carting this jolly soil into the backyard for us. It took him days. We had so many people that said to us "If there is anything we can do..." and then did nothing, It was lovely to have someone who just saw what needed doing and did it.

    Bev - Hi!! hope you are doing OK. Do you think the psychiatrist visit was useful? Hope so. I really can't look at my pathology report, it is in the back of my closet! I am worried that I will find something in there I didn't know about. Lord knows it was scary enough the first time I read it!!

    Jaimie - if you are reading this, hope all went well yesterday.  Hope you are not too sore.

    Apple - I love mowing too! Love it!  My husband did it last weekend as i still have a sore tummy, and he just didn't do it right!

    Anyhow, off to the library with the kids today. They have a great Story-Time programme. AND our garbage is finally being picked up after about 2 months of strike. I have never seen such piles of trash!!

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited August 2009

    Apple~ I'd have to say that a few things have been particularly appreciated... the most comcrete was the cleaning lady my friend sent over! Love her!!! I still have her coming once a month.  The other things are more spiritual in nature... my cousin has had a series of masses said for me.  A friend gave me a medal of Saint Agatha (the BC saint) and another friend gave me a medal that the Pope blessed. I wear both of those medals almost every day.  We had a TON of food given to us.  While it would seem that that would be helpful... it really wasn't.  I was so nauseated that the smells made me more sick.  Plus, one of my kids has food allergies and another is very picky... So all of the food was eaten by DH and one DS.  I hate to admit it but lots went to waste.

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  • Gramof3
    Gramof3 Member Posts: 301
    edited August 2009

    Apple,

    For me it was the gift certificate for a 1/2 hour theraputic massage with a therapist who does oncology therapy at one of the hospitals, as well as in a private practice.  It was heaven.

    Furies,

    I was just advised against the Zometa clinical trial by a third dentist...I have lots of extra bone growth (tori) in my  mouth and would have to have oral surgery before I could enter the study.  I'm just not up to it at this time.  Is anyone aware of any other studies concerning fighting metastisis?  I was in Arm A of the Avastin study, so am looking. 

    Jaimie,

    Hope you are recovering nicely.       

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited August 2009

    Checking in from the hospital where I already had a melt down this morning on the NP.  Short story me begging for pain meds. they took 2 hours to get to me, MD saying use what you have left from your other surgeries at home because he doesn't want to write a new RX, and nures fussing at me = Me crying.  Oh I forgot the best part I get to go home with a cath. that I get to take out on Sunday.

    I am sore as can be and Kerry you are right the gas they inflate you with is horrible. 

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited August 2009

    Jaimie~ I'm so sorry you are feeling bad.  {{hugs}}  Do you have help for when you get home?

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited August 2009

    awww..

    the catheter.. omgosh.. you have to take it out yourself? and they won't give you pain meds?

    why see medical professionals if they can't provide a service?

    gosh Jamie.. hope you feel better soon.

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  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited August 2009

    Jaimie:  I'm so sorry you're so miserable, and that your doctors are so uncooperative!  You're in a hospital, they should have no problem giving you something for your pain.  Feel better soon :)

    Kerry & Apple:  I'm joining the "I like to mow" club!  I was out there mowing our lawn while I was 9 months pregnant....the neighbors thought it was odd, but I am also a perfectionist, Kerry, and don't think that DH does a good job!  Not doing it so much lately, though.

    So, Me and Cheryl met today for lunch....it was fun!  She is just adorable, and her hair looks great!  It was really great to meet you Cheryl, and I look forward to seeing you again when you come to MI.  I will post a pic later, or if you beat me to it, Cheryl, you can post yours!

    I saw my onc for my first follow up yesterday....not much to report, since no scans done.  I guess all is good for now.  Bad thing is that I have to stay on the Coumadin until November, then I get a CT scan to be sure that the PE is gone.

    Well, gotta go find something not frozen to cook for dinner.

    Hugs

    Judy

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  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited August 2009

    Here it is:

    cheryl.jpg picture by gcpommom40

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited August 2009

    Judy, I had such a wonderful time with you at lunch! You did it! You went out topless and survived! You look great! Here is a picture of us at the restaurant.

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited August 2009

    Darn, it didn't post. My husband and boys were all fussing for me to get off the computer and I got flustered. We are going to yet another restaurant tonight to visit with friends. I'm going to get fat on this vacation!

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  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited August 2009

    Too funny Cheryl, we posted at the same time....I can't see your pic....

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  • MRSROCKYTOP55
    MRSROCKYTOP55 Member Posts: 403
    edited August 2009

    Helen, have you ever been to Costa Rica to visit your sister?  Kathy

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  • Denali
    Denali Member Posts: 347
    edited August 2009

    You two look GREAT!  My hair is just a tad shorter than both of yours.  But it'll be awhile before I go topless as I have this big ole ugly mole on my scalp.  Yuk!  I need my hair to hide it as it's huge.

    Oh, Jaimie, I'm so sorry you've had such a bad day!  It's bad enough that you were in pain, but for you to suffer a meltdown on top of it all (or because of it all) must have put you right over the top.  Take a Xanex, sweetie.  If the dr won't give you pain pills, tell him you're going to hit the bottle until the pain goes away.  On 2nd thought, the meanies might put you into rehab.

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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited August 2009

    Cheryl and Judy, what beautiful ladies you are!  You guys look great!
    Smile

    Furies ~ tomorrow is my last rads treatment, and that will be that.  It's going to feel so strange not going to some kind of treatment all the time.

    Hugs to all,
    Artemis

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited August 2009

    I am home!!  I had the option of staying another day or coming home and I got the heck out of there.  There is no reason that I should have had to wait twice for 2 hours for pain meds.  Anyhow I am home and I will be resting soon.  I have a cath. in until Sunday morning which doesn't make me happy as you know but whatever I'll get it done.  To top things off when I changed to leave my foob that popped a whole almost 2 weeks ago was leaking again :(  I just hope it stays closed.  I had an IV go bad, so bad that my hand burned with saline.  All in all I was a horrible patient and I needed to come home.  So I am home and now I start the final recovery.  Hopefully I can start running in 3 weeks :)  Okay maybe it will be 4 because of the stint that I have to have removed but I am on my way.

    Apple~ The best thing someone gave me was the American Cancer Society had the red devils come and clean my house. 

    Linda~ You know I try to keep cool, calm and make light of things but after the nurse yelled at me (after I waited 2 hrs for pain meds) I had enough and let the NP have it.  The worst part was he is a sweetie. 

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited August 2009

    BTW, Judy and Cherly you both look adorable.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited August 2009

    twins.. you guys are hair twins.. how nice that you got to meet.

    Jamie - i'm proud of you for complaining... jeez

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  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 535
    edited August 2009

    Judy-- How is Julia doing? I think I'd be STRANGLING a doctor about now. I've gotten good at it, actually. Even my Onco ducks when he tells me something he knows I won't like.  I do hope you've found a good outlet for your art. You are quite talented. I agree, you might look into an online gallery type thing so you can sell to a larger fan base. However,our local community does a
    whole lot of art stuff and there's a great feeling about becoming involved. (Ours is Art Walk, LOL!)
    Oh how I WISH I had eyelashes!

    Jaimieh--It's been one thing on top of another with your body lately, eh? I feel you. It's gotta get better soon, right? And to heck with the dyes. You look great. Just shine like you are. Congrats on your Disney trip. That is just awesome! We're trying to fit that in, but decided to be selfish and steal away ourselves for a bit. No kid, no cancer talk. What EVER will we do with ourselves? ;-) What did you decide about your training class? When are you launching a website to show off your work? (You and Judy could share one! LOL!)

    Michele--Love the topless you! And good for you for your donation idea. I too, will be handing off most of my hats. What is the final verdict on your TM levels? When is your next Avastin so we know about the blood sugar? How are you feeling otherwise. Oh and that small other thing...
    CONGRATS ON YOUR APPROVAL. Have you got your date in November yet?

    Kerry--Duh! If I'd read back far enough I'd know you were through surgery already. I'm glad you
    came through so well. I'm not looking forward to dripping hair either. The shaving is bad enough. I
    think I'm going to save up and have electroalysis done. Oh, and congratulations on the trash pick up. It's the small things in life, isn't it? ;-) I agree with you AND Judy. We're getting rid of the carpet this fall and I can't WAIT!! Never again! (No wallpaper, except for craft use. Learned that one a long time ago!) Are you in Montreal yet?

    Apple--Your photos are always a delight to the eye. Hate to hear your hair is thinning again. I'm
    starting to wonder if my many thin patches are going to catch up or not. How are you finding the
    Femara otherwise? Is it as stiff and bone jarring (rapid aging effects) as Arimidex? What's your
    hydrocodone dosage? I had it in the form of Lortab and was a bit allergic to it, but I can't imagine
    being on the stuff for very long. Even at a low dose it messed with my head too much. I just slept all the time! (It was the forgetting to breathe thing that took me off of it.)

    Beth, sounds like you had a great birthday! Aren't you nearly to the end of Rads now? How is your
    skin doing? What's this rumor I hear about a significant someone happening with you?


    Kathy--Glad you got the answers you needed.  How are you feeling?

    Grace--I'm THIRLLED for your all clear! Anything new on the right arm and shoulder? The shoulder
    repair I had done right before DX has done amazingly well. I wish you a pain free arm!! Did you decide to go with nipple recon or no? And YES to the Arimidex bone pain with stiffness. YEEOUCH! If I sit still too long it gets worse, but if I don't... Yeah. No win situation there! Just about hree weeks here too by now.


    Kim--How is the emotional rollercoaster wtih Rads going? I had a tough time with the first several rads actually. I'm not sure what was up with it, but the tears would roll at the first zap everytime. I hope t's getting better for you. How many to go? Wait, are you at the zoo right now? (I am SO far behind!)

    Helen--Glad you survived the Great Grandaughter Swap meet intact. Little imps. Hope you at least got to enjoy them for a few minutes between trips! Just for the record, I talked to my dentist about Zometa nd he didn't like it much, but said that no one in his practice had any real issues so far. Way to stand up for yourself and get your chemo on time. You ROCK! Oh, and the Big C trumps a badge and  glock. It's easier to get, and you don't have to flash it! LOL! (I miss steroids!)


    Susan--Fantastic pics! It looks like you had a wonderful time. Speaking of HAIR! OH YEAH!
    Lookin' goooood!

    Linda--Loving the plane idea. Hey if Congress can do it, why can't we? Make it one with a kitchen will ya? All this good food must travel with us to the next Fury in need. How's the chemo quilt coming? Glad to hear you're feeling so good!

    Jancie--Well, I'll be durned! THERE you are! ((hugs)) Welcome home, so to speak. I like Firefox
    a whole lot better than IE in the first place. Good move.  How does it feel to be riding again? Are you in heaven? Great news on the LMP! Congratulations! Yup, the wire sucks big time, but
    the all clear is worth it in the end! Did you start your rads today? How was it?

    Lisa--Congrats on the hair and the exchange! You had a mast, didn't you? (Am I crazy?) So, you may not have needed rads. Are you doing an AI or Tamoxifen next?

    Artemis--Congrats! NED is a handsome boy, is he not?

    And that puts me up to page 106, ya'll! I will catch up, I will!  Oh and regarding that "hairstyle..." I DID tell you all that she was blind, probably inhebriated, and at least without clue? You can't call this a style. (But I'll post it in a sec.)

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  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 535
    edited August 2009

    The hairy truth:

    We think it might be coming in curly.



    Where it's coming it at all, that is!
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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited August 2009

    Webbie - you look fantastic! As do Cheryl and Judy - I am jealous you guys got to meet up! I am meeting up with some Canadian women from the site on Sunday, it should be fun, but I wish there were a few Furies coming along as well.....hopefully one day!

    Webbie - when is your Surgery? I am feeling good 1 1/2 weeks out, still a tiny bit tender, but really not bad. I aim to start exercising again on Monday, then off on vacation the following Friday.....

    Jaimie - oh my dear, I am so sorry they were so horrid to you in the Hospital.I'm glad you are home, I always feel better being in my own bed.  can't beleive they wouldn't give you any pain meds. I was disappointed I wasn't in more pain after my surgery, I turned down morphine! I still have some gas in my tummy, I got a bit of shoulder pain from it, hope yours is clearing up.

    Artemis - yah you for finishing rads! It will seem odd for a few days to not be going in every day, but trust me, you won't miss it for long!

    Phew, just had a mega Hot Flash. think they are getting worse since the old Ovaries were yanked. Ah, well, take that cancer! 

    Have a great day! 

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