Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

Another subject: Walking- no bear today!! IT's raining. So...... I will have to wait until this evening to see if it clears....I hate to have to go on that treadmil. I'm sick of it!!!!

Good morning to all!

I am waiting for DD to arrive from MD. We are doing shopping and lunch. I need a "girls day out" in the midst of all the medical stuff that has been happening.

Hugs, and a great weekend.

Bette 

Hello everyone,

Well I'm still playing the waiting game..My preliminary report from UCLA is done but not the final one. My Dr. needs that to base my new TX plan. Hopefully on Monday it will be completed so I can get a move on! I hope they put me on Ixempra as I've heard that it really kicks TN cancer. I've also started the Budwig diet plan.  Flaxseed oil and organic cottaged cheese fused together at low speed.  (Tastes like a cheesecake smoothie). Gave up Sugar (so hard), processed foods, meat, pork and fast food. I so believe the chemicals we're consuming are killing us.  Went to Costco yesterday to look at juicers and they had this great gal demoing the Vitamix machine.  I AM GETTING ONE!  Girls it does so much...yes it's $400 but so worth it.  Soups, juices, smoothies, salsa, icecream and you get all the fiber & vitamins. Juice machines (so they say) give you sugar water and we don't need that.

Oh bad news on my Rattlesnakes guys. While I was able to drink the blood (yes!) my hubby and I put them to sun dry in a screen box but ants got in them and they became spoiled!  $300 down the drain  Yes.  BUT my contact with the live rattlesnakes came through.  Looks like I'll be on my way to Midland Texas soon.  (Hood, the Rattlesnake plasma is believed to attack cancer cells & seek its receptors (acts like cancer) without attacking the normal cells. Called immunotherapy.  There is so much info on this and I believe gee if we had the darn cure, WHO'd be out of business??)There are many people in Mexico who claim to have been cured by this.  What have I got to lose? My goal is to do this before starting my next round of chemo as I don't want to compromise that.

Corrine: Wow a 300lb bear and not a scratch on yah" Yep not your time yet!  Happy to hear you had a great time in VT.

Bette: So happy to hear you got in the PARP trial.  Please keep me in the loop! UCLA's was closed. Now Bette, if my rattlesnake method works, I'm sending one to you!

Stacy: Amen clear mammo! (But so was mine    Hoping your hubby gets that perfect position soon.

Deanna:  Dr. Olevsky returns from vac this Friday so hopefully she'll call me. I pray she'll still work w/me & current onc. even though I can't see her. I just may switch over to PPO next year but it's so expensive but worth it. You're right. She just conducted a breast cancer seminar in July. I would have loved to seen it. Thanks again for your great referrals!

Roya: Yikes about health reform! This is too complicated.  Please keep us posted.

I'll keep you all posted on my report (Ugh don't want to see)..

Have a great weekend.

((((Hugs))))

Jeannine

Jeannine:  I use my vitamixer every day!! My sister found a brand new one in a tag sale last week for 25 dollars!! I am on a sugar free, glutten free diet.  I feel GREAT except for some funky thimg going on with my throat and lungs.  I do not believe its cancer related but will be able to tell more on Thus.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.  Hugs to all.

This is the day that the Lord has made! Church was great, and then we visited my Mom, who will be 87 on 8/26. It is so wonderful to still have her with us. She was lively and funny today. I only wish that her dementia did not prevent us from having a long heart-to-heart talk like we used to. It would be wonderful to be able to confide in my Mom about my feelings regarding my Stage IV BC. She does not know about my condition; my brothers don't want me to worry her. That is hard, because we used to share everything.

The idea of rattlesnakes gives me the shivers. Jeannine, let me know if it helps. If I ever order some, I will be sure not to put them where the ants can get to them!

Bette 

Oh, Bette, I wish you didn't have to do chemo again.  What day do you start?  Have you gotten any info from those who have been through the regimen you'll be starting?   Do you know how many txs you'll be getting?

Jeannine ~  I've heard of the Budwig diet, but didn't realize the flax and cottage cheese get blended and taste like cheesecake!  Yum!   Also, we have family near Midland.  If you need any additional resource info for that area, I'm sure my SIL could help.  Are you just going to pick up live rattlesnakes or do you actually get some kind of treatment there????  Come to think of it, we have a fabulous natural foods market here (Clark's) with an extensive selection of frozen game and some really odd meats.  I've never paid much attention to that case, but I should look for you and see if they possibly carry rattlesnake meat. 

Big (((HUGS))) to you both, and hello to everyone else ~  Deanna

Hi Everyone,

I know I've been out of touch - I just got back from Brazil and it seems like it's been ages since I've been gone (over 2 months). I can't believe this much time has passed. I have been involved in presenting a program to the 700 person company of Roche Pharmaceuticals from all over Brazil - an incredible effort to realigned management team visions and company culture.

Worked a lot of programs and did some great traveling. All went well until 2 weeks ago. Took a small airplane trip to a remote jungle island and got this thing called Dengue fever which you get from a mosquito. Took six days to get off the island - had no idea what was wrong but was pretty sick. A pretty horrible disease (couldn't stand up or walk at all). Got back to San Paulo and spent 5 days in the hospital and flew home 3 days ago. Will take another couple of weeks to feel normal. (As normal as I get!) Just not my year for jungles, I guess. But I'm really feeling better now. I'm so glad to be home - have vowed to only go to places with snow & ice from now on!

I will take some time to read back over the weeks and catch up with everyone. But for now, my thoughts are with you Bette for the new trial. And thinking of you so much, Jeannine - how brave you are with those snakes.

And a bear, Corinne? I want to walk with you!

Have thought of you all often and with much love.

Hugs,

Gail

Hi all, Today I went on my 2.2mile walk with my new bug zapper. I got 18 bugs with that thing. You should see the shock it gives!!  Anyhow, I don't know if my neighbors are upset with me. I woke up two of our neighbors dogs and a baby!!! ooops!! I DID GET THE BUGS THOUGH!!!

Gail, I am so glad you are back. We really have missed you. Sorry to hear of the Dengue Fever you had.  I live in Connecticut where at times we have snow and ice. Are you coming walking???

Hi Lovely Ladies,

I still check in quite a bit to keep up with everyone.

Jeannine, it sounds like you have had quite a tough time lately.  It sounds like you are approaching things in a very natural way-hope this brings you good news.

Gail-welcome back!!!  We have missed you all summer.  I am sure you did not miss the desert heat.  So sorry to hear about your illness.  Sounds scary, especially so far away from home.  Glad you are back, safe and sound.

Corinne, how is the herceptin coming along?  Are you back on schedule?  When will you finish?  I hear you about the heat-I am ready for fall.

Deanna, tell me you are not putting on that wig again in the desert heat!!  Your hair looked so cute in your other avatar.

Bette, I will be hoping for easy treatments for you.

Everyone, I am counting down my last days of freedom before I return to school/work next Tuesday.  The kids come back on 8/31.  This summer was much BETTER than last summer.  I am going for a hair trim tomorrow and a visit with the PS to set up a surgery time to put in a bigger implant so both will match better.  Funny how these little surgeries are like nothing to me now.  We have all been through sooooooo much.

~Misty

I got 29 bugs this morning with my bug zapper that looks like a tennis racquet!! Yes I am killing off the mosquito population on my walks. Walked at 7:30 Am so was hoping I did not wake any dogs up. There were 3 yapping but does anyone really sleep in that late?

Misty: I have 3 more Herceptin left. One is tomorrow.  I sometimes get scared but try to refocus. I can only think of one thing at once so if I am scared I am not rightly thinking. Anyhow, HOT flashes in 90 degree weather is rough. I bought a little sleeveless jacket that you can throw into the freezer and am going to try that out this evening. You can also throw it in the microwave -for when I get cold flashes!!!

I saw my 80 year old neighbor out yesterday and told him this is my real hair since cancer. He asked,"Did you always have red hair?" Ooops, I used medium golden blond hair coloring and it picked up red highlights!! My other friend said "Why did you get a perm?"  ugh!!!  Ignorance!!!  I have not worn my real hair to church yet and I AM NOT sure if I am ready!!!

Bette: I know you have treatment on Fri, I continue praying daily for you

Jeannine: Has anything new transpired?

Going back quite a ways has anyone heard from Monique?

Lisa, Kimberlyn, Lashon- you also remain in my prayers.

Hugs to all

Hello girlies!!!  I haven't posted but have been checking in on everyone daily!  Glad to hear everyone is hanging in there...... Bette I am praying for you and I hope your chemo goes as well as it can!!!! Good luck and Loves to all.........................

Hello all,

Well, I finally rec'd my prelim. report after like almost 2 weeks.  Girl @ UCLA said she was so busy but time's a wasting here...UCLA Dr. recommended a few good TX's for TN. Recommended DMX, Aggressive chemo & RADS.  I hope I get to go on Ixempra. Never thought I'd be happy to go back on chemo. My current Onc. is going to meet w/pharmaceutical rep. to obtain that drug for me. I am so ready to get on with it. My boob (& tumor are growing) I have to wear loose bras.

Looks like I'll be flying to TX next week girls.  I can't wait.  Boy can you imagine if this TX works?! I don't want to get my hopes up but I'm staying positive...I just returned from running into an old friend at lunch who -wouldn't you know it, just returned from a friend's funeral who passed from BC. Now if that isn't a downer.  I didn't mention my news. Just told her to keep praying for me.

Gail: OMG Dengue Fever?! That is so deadly. I've been thinking of you and I'm glad to hear you're recovering.  Better stay in the U.S. for now.

Corrine:  I haven't purchased my Vitamix yet (hopefully next month) but what a deal your sis got! I know you can go to their website and they have blogs on recipes. Good going on staying sugar & gluten free!

Deanna:  Is that your hair or wig? Well you look great.  I know I just can't get rid of mine! I'll be getting a new one soon. Thanks for the TX resources. Where is that Natural Food store there? If my RS isn't skinned, gutted & cleaned I'm not taking aboard.  I also wonder if customs will let it go through?

Bette: The Budwig Diet provides no meat, pork, animal fats, margarine, butter (but I use Smart Balance) Sugar, processed foods or foods high in preservatives. You also consume fresh flaxseed oil mixed with 2 TBSP of cottage cheese.  I have done this  daily for 2 weeks and need a new bottle of flaxseed oil. I've been doing well but still eat my sugar free candies.

I also haven't told my folks yet about my recurrence.  I just can't. My mom cried for a week last time and I just can't bear that pain on them again. At least for now.They're both up in age, in fragile health. We just celebrated mom's 75th B-day and I made her a delicious sugar free carrot cake.It was a great day.

I'm praying for you Bette that you're going to breeze through this chemo w/ no SE's. We're going to do this together! You know what to expect (don't forget to the Miralax!) I've inquired about this hair product called Ovation Hair Therapy which can be taken during chemo. Can prevent hair loss!  Here's the website http://ovationhair.com/testimonials6.htm .

Wishing all of you a wonderful & blessed week!

Jeannine

Jeannine, thanks so much for your support and thoughts  - yes - staying in a non-tropical place is good advice! I'm out of my attraction to jungles for a long time. You sound so good and I'm thinking of you every day!

Bette - I know you have such strength and I am inspired just thinking of you. Take god care of yourself - we know how to get through this!

Misty - thinking of you headed back to school with those lucky kids. We'll be waiting out here in the desert when you need some time off and a tan!

Corinne - I laugh when I think of you & your zapper. But does it make noise? Please keep on reducing the bug population! 

Deanna - hope you are keeping cool. Will try to give you a call in a couple of weeks. Hair looks great!

Hugs to all,

Gail 

Gail ~  I'm so glad you're back safely!  I haven't had a moment to look up Dengue Fever, but it sounds horrible, if not deadly.  I'm so glad you're recovering from it, and hope we can get together soon.   

Jeannine & Bette ~ Thinking of you both many times a day, and I wanted to ask if either of you has seen the thread here about the Penguin Cold Cap?  You can search that name and it will bring up the thread.  It's a product out of the UK (I think there's also a CA distributor) and some women who have tried it are reporting hair-saving results.

Jeannine ~ The market I was thinking of is Clark's. They started in Loma Linda (Seventh Day Adventist family) and they now also have stores in Riverside and Rancho Mirage.  I haven't been in the RM store since I mentioned that they just might carry rattlesnake meat, but they have a website and maybe you could call them if you're curious:   http://www.clarksnutrition.com/ 

Bette ~  I'm anxious to hear how your first infusion went.  I know you'll let us know as soon as you can.  Praying it won't be too hard on you, but also knowing they've got to do whatever it takes to stop the progression you're experiencing, and that with Tom's support, you'll get through it!

Corinne ~ Glad you're getting totally scanned and tested, so that you can relax and stop worrying. What is the new trial you mentioned for?  Sorry if I should know, but I constantly feel like chemo has short-circuited my brain (anyone else?) and I can't remember anything!

And I have the address list.  I have addresses for 13 of us.  If you have not given me your address and want to be included, just PM it to me.  Phone & email are optional.  I should have PM'd a copy (plus a recent update for Bette) to everyone who is on the list, but with the aforementioned chemo-brain, I wouldn't swear to it.     (((Hugs))) to all ......  Deanna

P.S.  The hair in my current avatar is my wig.  You're right, Misty, it's waaay too hot for it.  But I was going out when DH snapped the photo, and I'm afraid I still rely on it when I don't want to answer questions like, "Oh, did you get a perm?" -- or reply to comments like, "You cut your hair!"