Starting Chemo February 2009?

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  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited October 2009

    Judy - Praying for Julia.  You sure have your hands full this week with your husband away on top of it all.  I hope you continue to feel ok.  So aggravating how we have to be our own doctors as well as our childrens' in order for them to receive the medical attention they need.  It is so draining to have to ressearch everything; but we have to.

    Kerry - I have hair envy.  Your hair looks so styled.  Have you trimmed it all yet?  It looks like you have enough hair to gel or mouse.  Mine just continues to stick to my head.  Started taking biotin; hoping it encourages some faster hair growth.

    Hugs,

    Bev

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

    Bev - congrats on your excellent Run on Sunday! You should post that photo here, you look great. The hair will come.....mine is growing really well now, I put some mousse in it to make it look like some type of style! I am loving it! 

    Have a great day everyone!

  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited October 2009

    Thanks Kerry.  It was a very special day!  For anyone interested, the photo is on the fitness forum - titled I am so proud of my wife.

     Have a great day everyone.  It is rainy in Winnipeg.  Good day to clean the house out.

     Bev

  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited October 2009

    Thanks Bev, I am feeling good again today.  Julia sees her infectious disease doc tomorrow, so hopefully something good will come of that.

    Ok, here are some pics I took today.....looks like I need to color again, lol.  It's getting thick and curly, not much longer than last pic though

    hair100609-1.jpg picture by gcpommom40

    hair100609c-1-1.jpg picture by gcpommom40

    hair100609b-1.jpg picture by gcpommom40

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

    Judy - looking great! It is longer since the last photo. I have a friend i se a couple of tiomes a week, she says every time she sees me she can tell mine has grown. I can tell my bangs get longer almost every day.

    Good luck with Julias Dr....hope you get some answers.

  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited October 2009

    Judy - let us know how things go with the dr.  You too have a lot of hair (and thick).  I am envious.  When was your last chemo again Judy?  My hair seems to be growing so so .........  slow.  Oh well, at least it's coming in.  No bald spots.

    Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving!!!

     Take Care, 

    Bev

  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited October 2009

    My last chemo was June 2nd....it's been 4 months now, time flies!  When was your last one?

    Julia's appt was pretty uneventful....it was with her infectious disease doc, and her job is just to make sure her infection cleared up.  I did get her to order more bloodwork so we can keep an eye on her potassium levels.  Next week she sees her gastro doc, and finds out if she goes back on TPN.

    I am feeling really crappy (mentally) right now....my younger sister had her mammogram today, and they have a lump they want to aspirate (she has lots of cysts, like I did, but this one looked "different").....I am more upset about this than when I got diagnosed......and I feel guilty for never getting the BCRA (?) test done (insurance was messed up).  She kept asking me about it, but I didn't get it done.

    Anyway, I am hoping so much that this will turn out to be nothing.  She's my little sister, I grew up trying to "protect" her, I remember when we used to ride our bikes home in the dark as teenagers, I always made her ride in front of me, so if a car was going to hit someone, it would be me (silly, I know).  *sigh*

    Hugs

    Judy

  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited October 2009

    {{{hugs}}} Judy.  Don't feel bad.  Really.  There are lots of reasons to skip the BRAC test.  Plus, being BRAC neg doesn't mean much when your sister (ie YOU) has had BC twice.  She's at a higher risk regardless of her BRAC status.

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

    hugs indeed Judy.. you have so much on your plate.  I don't know how you cope.

  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited October 2009

    Judy - My last chemo was on June 9th.  I have quite a bit less hair than you.  I think it was just slower to start.  You need a break girl friend!  It's always something.  You have had so much to deal with. 

    Hugs,

    Bev

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

    My last Chemo was April 30th....so I am a bit ahead in the hair growing stakes.

    Judy - I haven't had the BRAC test either. My Onc applied for me, but I got turned down - too old, and no family history. So don't feel too badly, also lots of familys seem to get BC regardless of the BRAC test. There is clearly more than that gene involved. My sister went to her Dr when I was diagnosed - they are now giving her an Ultrasound and Mammo every year, and she is getting a Breast Exam every 6 months.  I know when my Mother went for her last Mammo they upped her to every year too because of me - the Tech said it didn't happen very often that a mother got her "family history" from her daughter, usually it is the other way round.Anyhow, hope it works out for her OK.

    Michele - enjoy your day off! 

     Well, it is Thanksgiving Weekend here in Canada. I had better take the Turkey out of the freezer if I want it thawed by Monday. have a great weekend everyone!!

  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited October 2009

    Yes, I must agree that this year has been awful, just awful.  I really dislike 2009!  How do I cope???  Honestly, I don't know, I just do....you kinda get used to walking around with a knot in your tummy 24/7.....and play mindless games on facebook.

    Michele:  I guess what I'm wondering is this:  if I had done the BRAC test, and it was positive, would that mean her insurance would have covered a prophylactic mastectomy? 

    Bev:  my hair always grew fast, so maybe that's it....are you on any meds that slow hair growth? 

    I have my MRI tonight, 9pm.....I have to do a steroid prep, which involves taking 3 prednisone pills between 9 am and 8 pm and then a 50mg benedryl.  So now I have to find someone to drive me out to the hospital, since DH will most likely be at work.  I am still nervous about being in that machine for so long, but the benedryl should make me sleepy, so maybe I can nap in there.

    Gotta drive son to school now....out into the cold rain we go!

    Hugs

    Judy

  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited October 2009

    Kerry:  thanks for the info, I don't know if my insurance would have covered it either, since I have no family history either..  I am jealous----I love Thanksgiving, it is my favorite holiday!   I think it is my favorite because it involves family, turkey and pie, and no spending of money for gifts, lol.....but really, it is just a warm, cozy little holiday.

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

    Judy - if I don't talk to you again today, good luck tonight. Man, I wished we all lived closer to each other and could help out in practical ways, like driving to the hospital. Well, hope it isn't too stressful, Hope you can nap or at least zone out a bit. Big hugs....

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

    anyway, I tried Grecian Formula to cover a bit of gray and it works great.

    so easy.

    have a great day gals and good luck Judy.

  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited October 2009

    Thinking of you, Judy.  We will all be with you in spirit during your MRI tonight.  You will feel us holding your hand. 

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

    Thinking of you Judy. Take a nap in the machine (bighugs).



    Kerry we know the real reason you want to live closer ;). I can't get my PM's on my blackberry so that is why I haven't e-mailed you. :). Happy Turkey Day !!!



    We are in our last day of Disney and while it has been a great vacation I am BEAT but I did it. No wheelchair or scooter for me. My bdy has held up great until today which is day 7 so whhhooo !!! We start our drive back tonight :( I will post pictures of my crazy doo when I get home. My hair truely does whatever in the heck it wants.

  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited October 2009

    Jaimie~ Glad you had fun!!

    Judy~ If *she* were BRAC+ then she would qualify for a prophylactic.  But *you* as a sister who has had BC twice might also help her to get one... regardless of anyone's BRAC status.  You have to fight for a prophylactic if not BRAC+ but it can be done.  You have to have a letter from your MD saying things like:

    clinical findings of nodularity difficult to correlate to mammogram

    family history

    fibrocystic breasts

    recc MRI annually if the surgery is denied

    premenopausal

    history of questionable mammogram findings that needed an ultrasound to correlate

    That's all I can think of off the top of my head but there are more I'm sure.

    Kerry~ I wish we all lived closer too.  I don't know many youngish BC patients IRW. It is hard for my friends to relate.

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

    Michele - me too!

  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited October 2009

    Michele:  thanks for all the info, it is very helpful!

    I leave for my appt at 7:40, scheduled to start at 8:50.  I had to take 3 50mg prednisone pills, 1 50mg benedryl, and 1/2mg xanax prior to test.  I have had 2 of the steroids so far, and take the rest of it on the drive out there.  I should be sufficiently knocked out by the benedryl and xanax for the test I think, although these steroids are going to fight it!  I wish they'd not given prednisone, as it always makes me very achy from the waist down, even when I take small doses for my asthma.  Ouch.  I did much better with the steroids they gave during chemo --started with a D---anyway...

    Thanks for being here for me guys, it really means alot.  I am such a chicken, it's almost embarrassing!  I can't help that I get claustrophobic! 

    I too wish we all lived closer.  It would be awesome to hang out, shop, etc....

    well, gotta go

    Hugs

    Judy

  • Gramof3
    Gramof3 Member Posts: 301
    edited October 2009

    Judy,

    I'm sending good wishes through the sides of that MRI tube.  You are NOT a chicken (anyone who goes through bc is certainly not a chicken) and don't be embarrassed.  I can make it through the tube stuff, but you should see me when I get within 5 yards of a snake (any kind).  If I ever end up in a tube with a snake, there had better be one end of the tube open!

    I wish we lived closer, too.  Can you imagine how much fun it would be to get together in person!

  • liz135
    liz135 Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2009

    Hi girls,

    This scientific study published this year may of benefit to you.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19368145?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

    This time tested natural substance from the biblical times and beneficial in many conditions does not have any significant side effects though may taste a little horrible. There have been unpublished studies which showed benefit in breast cancer also.

    If any of you have used it before, please comment.

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

    So, should we report that post...?

    Judy, I was thinking of you all last night. Hope it went OK. And you are so NOT a chicken. When I had my breast MRI a few weeks ago, I got out of the car and just burst into tears. I nearly didn't go. Firstly, they are not fun. Period. Secondly, I do think it brings back all those emotions from when you are first diagnosed, we are trying to get back into life and going for tests is like running into the Cancer world again. And also - we know what they are looking for. That in itself is reason to be nervous.

    So, I hope it wasn't too bad, and you got home fine, and are going to do something nice this weekend for yourself. IF you lived closer you could come here for Canadian Thanksgiving - now that would be fun.  

  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited October 2009

    Hi guys!  Well, with the help of benedryl mixed with xanax, I managed to nap through alot of my MRI....plus they managed to get me out in about 2 hours instead of 2 1/2, so that was good.  It could have been shorter, but I 'twitched' alot during one of the tests I slept through, so they had to redo!

    Helen:  I don't like snakes, either, lol.  And Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

    Kerry:  I agree, I was quite a mess on the way out there, panic attack....but I calmed down by the time we walked in.  I was home by midnight, and passed out!  Today I have the steroid 'glow'....red nose, chest, lol. 

    Well, off to do some laundry.  Hugs to everyone, love you guys!

    Judy

  • Gramof3
    Gramof3 Member Posts: 301
    edited October 2009

    Kerry,  I think that post should be reported...I haven't done that before, but it sounds like an advertisement to me--plus "she" has only posted 4 times???

    Judy--so glad the MRI is over.  And thanks to you and Kerry for the BD wishes...gee, next year the candles will probably set the house on fire, so many flames!  Right now, the only thing on fire is my poor, radiated breast BUT only 3 more boosts to go. 

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

    yep..

    four posts of links.

    (happy birthday Helen

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

    Helen - oh, you are so nearly done! Way to go!!

    So, we are going to a Pumpkin farm this morning to have some seasonal fun, then this afternoon we are going to check out puppies. Beagles! I cannot wait. I will post photos if we come home with one.

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

    Awwwee have fun Kerry.  We have a beagle who knows what else mix and she is a love :) 

    We finally got home yesterday morning after a pretty hard night drive but we did it.  Yesterday we did much of nothing....well unless you consider sleeping :)  Today we cleaned the car out and I have started the never ending laundry.  The good thing is that they are all summer clothes and we now need winter clothes.  Tomorrow I have to go to an Onc. appt. and get herceptin.  I am upset though because I am missing out on both of my kids field trips :(  I have 6 or 7 more to go and then hopefully dancing with NED until I die at a ripe old age of 92, okay maybe 96.....you ladies get my drift. 

    I gotta start working on my list of things to do for NOLA again this week since I am home :)  Oh speaking of boobies I am going to have to go back to the PS on Tuesday as I am trying once again to grow some new ones..lol..  I have fluid build up on both sides again :(

  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited October 2009

    Kerry, that sounds fun!  Have you ever had a dog before, or is this the first one?  I bet the kids are so excited!  Can't wait to see the pics.  Out of all the dogs we've had, yorkies are still my favorite because they don't shed!  They're pretty smart, too.  Chihuahuas, on the other hand, aren't the brightest little things, lol

    Helen:  Oh, almost done with rads, that's great!  Is your skin holding up ok?

    I have no idea what I'm doing today....I swear I'm still buzzing from the steroids, so I'll probably clean house I guess. 

  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited October 2009

    Hi Jaimie!  Hope you had a wonderful vacation, boy it looks like it was really hot down there, some heat wave they were having! 

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