Starting Chemo February 2009?

Options
1…113114116118119…179

Comments

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

    Checking in to see how everyone is doing.  I have been away taking a photography seminar this weekend...whhhhooo...tons of fun and learning.  I am now trying to process all of it which is going to take my poor brain a year to catch up. 

    I have already had one doctor's appt. today (got my herceptin) and I have 2 more to go with the worst being Thursday.  I am tired tonight from my herceptin and hoping that I recover a little bit tomorrow.  I have to clean my house this week and get it together I am going to start tomorrow by breaking it down into smaller task.  I know that after this week it should be easier with my baby boy at pre-school for 3 half days a week.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited September 2009

    Hello! I heard from the PA today and the onc wants me to try celebrex for my bone pain. I'm going to have a chest xray because of my continued shortness of breath;and, my vitamin d level is still low. I'll be taking another supement for that.

    I'm getting ready for a birthday party I'm throwing for myself this weekend. It's a F$%@! you, cancer! I'm still here! Party.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited September 2009

    Cheryl~ I love your party idea!!

    So... my jaw is really hurting again.  I'm on 2 antibiotics.  Ick.  Also, my surgical incision (from last Jan!!!!) opened a bit and is draining. Double ick.  I have to go see the surgeon tomorrow.  The fun never ends.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited September 2009

    Oh, big hugs for everyone. Sounds like an Ick factory.

    Cheryl, my husband was on celebrex for a while, he has A.S. (a form of arthritis) It helped his pain amazingly. Worth a try. What a great idea for a perty. F*** you cancer, indeed. Don't mess with us.

    Jaimie, the seminar sounds great. I would love to do something like that. My little boy is off to Kindergarten next week, he seems too young....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited September 2009

    Wow we are the walking wounded this week.

    Cheryl~ I hope you bone pain goes away with celebrex.  I was on it for a short time and it helped my messed up shoulder.  I love the F*&% You Party, have a blast. 

    Michele~  I hope you heal back up soon.  What happened with you jaw ???

    Okay fall has arrived here in Maryland.  I am freezing again :( and I am back to sleeping with my head under the covers.  I told my husband that I would send a post card from wherever I moved.  Alright I am off to the PS this morning for hopefully a nice boring visit. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited September 2009

    Jaimie~ I have impacted wisdom teeth.  They had never been an issue. Then chemo and low counts... 1 of them got infected.  I've been on antibiotics 3 times now for it. The oral surgeon won't pull it while I'm on Avastin.  He begrudgingly (SP???) said he'd pull it while I'm on clondronate but I have to sign a release stating that I know I'm at risk for ONJ. I'd rather risk ONJ than mets so I don't have a problem signing the release... <sigh> It hurts so much and I can't take narcotics because I'm at work...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited September 2009

    ((bighugs)) I had my impacted wisdom teeth cut out my senior year of high school and it wasn't too bad.  The worst part was the bruising that I got from it apparently it took double the time for the doctor to get them out of me.  Could you stop the Avastin and then go back on it after the dental work ??  I would ask my oncologist about this.  I hope you get some relief soon.

    BTW, I am back from the breast surgeon and I don't have to go back for 4 months..WHOOOOO!!!  I hope I continue healing like I am doing.  My last set of implants I never got to this point. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited September 2009

    Jamie ~ Are you having any SEs from Herceptin other than being tired?  I've been battling nausea since the third day after my infusion.  The photography seminar sounds terrific!

    Cheryl ~ I love the "F U" theme for your party.  You go, girlfriend!

    Michele ~ honey, I can't believe your mouth is still giving you so much trouble!  I'm so, so sorry.

    Furies ~ my sister just called to tell me that my pregnant niece has been exposed to swine flu. (Niece is an elementary school teacher, and two of her students have confirmed cases.)  Please send up any prayers and thoughts that you can for her; I assure you they'll be MUCH appreciated.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

    Hugs to all,
    Artemis

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited September 2009

    gosh.. lots of icky things going on

    kind thoughts are floating out from Kansas to all of you.

    Smile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gramof3
    Gramof3 Member Posts: 301
    edited September 2009
    Furies, Hugs to all.  
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2009

       Michele,  I had those tubes put in my eyes just three weeks off the avastin...they called it surgery and they did put me to sleep, but maybe you don't have to worry as much about healing with something like that.  However, I do know that a woman I used to sit next to at treatment went off her avastin so she could have foot surgery and then went back on it afterward.  So I would assume you could go off it for long enough to have your wisdom teeth out.  However, I would worry aobut the ONJ even though you said you would rather risk that than mets.  Since I work in the dental field I should be able to give you some advice, but I am sorry I really don't have any for you.  Cheryl,  Celebrex is very good for bone pain so hope it works for you. There is another one called Mobig, mobic? for bone pain and also Bextra.  Probably half of them are no longer on the market, but I used to take a lot of them before I had my knee replaced.

      I saw my cardiologist and she said my shortness of breath might be due to restriction of the pulmonary veins( or maybe she said capilaries, I forget)  which could be caused from chemo and also that would contribute to edema which I never had before chemo.  The EKG showed some changes on the rt. side.   I am having an echo done and we will decide where to go from there depending on what it shows.  I certainly don't want there to be any problems with my heart, but at least someone is trying to help me figure this out and not just giving me water pills or an inhaler. 

      So that is my 2 centsworth for the evening.  My appt to find out about radiofrequency ablation and IMRT is Thurs.  Sleep tight ladies.  I love these cool nights.for sleeping...think this is global warming in reverse?  Jaimie......have you ever worn cuddle duds.....they keep you nice and warm. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited September 2009

    Marybe I am going to have to look up the cuddle duds I am just hiding and winter hasn't started yet. 

    Artemis~ I did have nausousness with my first herceptin.  Ask them to slow the drip down and I think you will have less SE's.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited September 2009

    Jamie ~ thanks for the tip about the slow drip.  I'll ask the nurse about that next time.  I'm a fan of Cuddle Duds, too.  I order then from www.onehanesplace.com.  They are very lightweight and very warm.

    I think my period is trying to come back.  I can't believe it.  After 8 months, it wants to come back?!
    Yell

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited September 2009

    Artemis - you must have super-Ovaries - Chemo couldn't kill them! My Onc was going to give me the Lupron shots if my period came back. I have to say it feels really weird to know i will never get another period...

    Cuddle Duds, what are they...???

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited September 2009

    I was happy to say goodbye to Aunt Flo before my cancer diagnosis.  I had my children at ages 38, 41 and 43.  I am the oldest mother of my daughter;s class.  Once I was asked why I had so many wrinkles for a mom.

    Lots of work today as usual.  I have to clean the upstairs. I have the messiest family.  I am so blessed.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited September 2009

    Oh my, I have some catch up reading to do....I wanted to quickly post pics of my table, I finally finished it....I will come back later to read and catch up....

    pubtablecloseup.jpg picture by gcpommom40

    pubtabledone.jpg picture by gcpommom40

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited September 2009

    excellent!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited September 2009

    Cheryl:  Well Happy Birthday to you, have a great party, you deserve it!

    Michele:  Your mast incision reopened??? Is that the incision you're talking about?  Wow, I know we had surgery around the same time, how is that possible after all these months?  Oh, I know how much pain you must be in with the wisdom tooth....I hope that gets resolved soon, and with no problems for you.

    Jaimie:  Too funny, I'm always saying how I need to move somewhere warm....I'll have to try your "send a postcard" line, that cracks me up!  Glad to hear that you are doing well with the new and improved foobs!

    Artemis:  Oh, I hope your niece recovers quickly from the swine flu....how is she doing?  How scary for her and your family....especially since she's pregnant.

    Apple:  our kids sure know how to mess things up, but not how to clean it up....I don't know that I would call that 'blessed', lol.....thanks, glad you like the table! 

    I am thinking about my next mosaic project....I do have a mannequin body (no head/arms/legs) that I've been dying to do....it's big, though, and I think I need to do a small project first....maybe I'll mosaic the little guitar I got at a yard sale for 50 cents...I have these mexican tiles that would look awesome on it....I've always wanted to mosaic a guitar, just had to find a cheap one!

    The weather is supposed to be awesome this week/weekend....I wish we could afford a camping trip this year....maybe next year.  Plus, we have to paint son's room this weekend...

    Going to bed, sooo tired

    Hugs

    Judy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited September 2009

    Judy - the table is lovely.

    It has been warmer here this week too. Lovely. Hoping for a nice long Fall this year, after the non-event of a summer! Actually, Fall is my favourite Season. I am already gearing up in my mind for Xmas, I think last year was such a terrible time, I want this years to be much happier!

    Anyhow, hope everyone has a nice day. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2009

    The table is beautiful! I can't wait to see the guitar after you do it. My husband is a collector of guitars as well as ukuleles Isp)....the basement is full of them, but he actually does play them.

    Re the cuddle duds.....I love them. A nice soft lining for against the skin and they keep you nice and warm. I am a cold person so wear them a lot and they are lightweight enough and not bulky so you can wear them under things without adding rolls ( I have enough of those already).

    If my little laptop works I will write and tell you how my appt with the rad/onco goes this afternoon in Portsmouth. Even if she tells me the IMRT won't work for me, I will have consulted with someone who actually does the treatment and won't just wonder the rest of my life because my onco told me it would not work for me and that they don't use it from breast cancer.

    A good holiday weekend to all of you. Saturday I am going to go watch the OSU buckeyes play.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited September 2009

    you could always mosaic a bust Judy.  little red tiles where the nipples should go.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited September 2009

    Judy your table is stunning :)

    Well after celebrating about not going back to my PS for 4 months I woke up to a blister (very tiny) on my left side follwed by a flipping hole this morning :(.  All I can do is cry we have disney coming up in 4 weeks and we can't get our $ back and now I sit and wait to see what my PS could do.  My sister brought up a good point I am popping holes everytime after herceptin....grrrrr......

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited September 2009

    Marybe~ Yes, let us know how it goes.  I'll be thinking of you.

    Judy~ The table is beautiful!!

    Kerry~ I'm already christmas shopping! LOL! I really, really want this year to be special.

    I have an onc appt today.  I'm supposed to have my last Avastin but with this wisdom tooth thing... I may not have it. I'm sort of dreading the onc appt.  I don't know why.

    I had to euthanize the kids pet gerbil last night.  He had a carcinoma of the scent gland (I think) which ultimately went to his brain.  He has all sorts of CNS signs yesterday... I felt really bad for him.

    I'll let ya'll know what happens today!! One way or another, by this evening, I'm officially done with chemo!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited September 2009

    Jaimie~ posted at the same time as you!! What is it with your healing?? Ouch!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited September 2009

    I think the herceptin is causing it.  Everytime I have herceptin it has opened :(  It doesn't hurt but that can be bad sometimes since I do not know what is happening.

    Michele~  WHOOO for being done with chemo.!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited September 2009
    I think Michele is the only one of us able to diagnose a hamster with a cancerous scent gland.Foot in mouth
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited September 2009

    yeah... but how useful is that skill. lol!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited September 2009

    Judy, I like Apple's idea about the mosaic bust. You could put a tassle on it, too!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited September 2009

    Jaimie - wow, hope they figure out what is happening. Don't want to miss Disney....

    Michele - big Yah for you! NO MORE CHEMO!! Hope your appt went well.  I have started Xmas shopping too, I have already warned my husband to watch out, it will be a big one this year! Last year all the kids Santa gifts came from the dollar store, we did a rushed shop before my surgery. I got everything wrapped and labeled in the Furnace Room "just in case", my husband thought I was mad. Both the kids had their birthdays right after I was diagnosed (one Nov, one Dec) so I feel they got short changed all around.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited September 2009

    Thanks all, glad you like the table, I am thrilled with it (and to be done with it)!

    Wow, I should start shopping for Xmas too, I always wait til the last second, and don't have the money to spend all at once. 

    Mary:  My husband plays bass, and has a huge stand-up bass in the basement that needs work....he won't let me touch it, but boy, would that be awesome to mosaic!  I'll have to look for those cuddle-duds....where do you buy those?  When I sub, I have to take the kids out for recess, and I get so cold!

    Apple:  funny....I've been wondering how I will mosaic the mannequin....I've seen all sorts of these done, and they always come out pretty cool....

    Jaimie:  oh no!  I am so sorry you keep having this problem, I sure hope your doc can figure it out...has he/she ever heard of herceptin causing this?

    Michele:  congrats on finishing your chemo!!!!  YAY!!!  Sorry about your gerbil, did your kids take it ok?  It can be tough on them when they lose a pet.

    Hugs

    Judy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories