November 2009-Starting Chemo

Coolbreeze - kick you out?  NEVER !  I would think with the Herpecin injections and all you would get a port.  Call the oncologist and ask.  I don't have a port - so far we are hoping my veins hold up for my chemo treatments.  I guess 8 isn't that bad. 

And yes Brenda you are appreciated ~ Your thoroughness in your posts is heartwarming. 

Kimmy ~ sorry you had a nearly puke moment.  I had that the other day and sucked on a tums.  Thankfully it worked.  There is nothing I hate more then puking.  UGH !  I too feel like I will be a house when this is all over too.  BUT I will worry about it then.  For now I can just do the best I can. 

This really is a great bunch of girls ~ while I wish I wasn't here...  I am glad it is at least with all of YOU.  We will get through this together.

((((HUGS))))

Alicia

Thanks for letting me stay. 

Brenda, of course, weekends have to be for your DH.   I'm sure he's done so much to help you that devoting your weekend to him seems like a fair trade.  We'll miss you on weekends but family is more important.

My onc's office just called me - they forgot to get my height.  I asked about the port and they said as long as they can find veins I won't need it.  I can't say I'm disappointed. 

By the way, they aren't going to give me EMEND either, I'll get compazine and ativan.  I'm fine with that at first but will ask for the other if necessary.

Melinda, I'm about to call for that class myself!  So many appointments coming up.  The more wigs the better, I say.  If you have to be bald, you might as well have fun with it. 

Good Evening all my Warrior Sisters!!! OMG this group rocks!! We have girls from all over the world with us here, just goes to show u how small the world really is and how all women are one in sisterhood, motherhood etc. Well, I called the nurse onc today but she called when I wasn't home,__ really??? I'm calling again 2marrow and won't stop until she orders my drugs!!! Well girls, I got both of my flu shots, regular and H1N1, I'm ok for the moment and hope I'll be fine 2marrow!! Figured I better not take any chances got 2 many kids running around here after they come home from school.  Welcome to sister Susan62! This group of lady warriors will be your shield in battle and we are sad you have BC, but glad you found this group!  JustmeAlicia, I'm so sad u are feelin so weak and tired. I think the other sisters are saying that once you get to day 10 things pick up really well and thats what I'm affirming for you today!!!  Reglau, glad to hear u slept well and if you feel like sleeping just go back to bed. A friend of mine who is a nurse said your body does the most healing while we sleep!!  Doronet, I'm so glad you have all your meds! I really loved your story about the bracelets reminding you of your kids , thats what touches our hearts and the one about your neighbor was a God thing, one of those aha moments, shes your neighbor and who knew she had been a survivor. Oh, sister Doronet I "learned the truth at 13", I was never pretty enough for that as a youngster, but I have been a cheer leader for all my kids & grandkids since before they were born, but all moms, grandmas and wives or SOs are definitely the worlds most loyal cheerleaders!! Thank you so much for your support!  AroninMia, I second that emotion sister Amazonian!! I definitely feel like no one should have to suffer needlessly when there are meds to alleviate the condition. National health care for all!!! NOW!! Thanks for having my back & I'm on a mission!! Sister what does TAWANDA mean?? is it your name or is it a word for  CHARGE!!  Shel, thanks 4 your encouragement, I'm gonna get my drugs. I'm sorry you are feelin tired 2day and sooo glad your neighbor, with his toy, is helpin you out. I hope 2marrow will be a better day for you..  Coolbreeze, my onc is very "conservative" about meds, ports, and scans, but I'm about to open a can of whip axx on him with a little taste of pissed off NANI Warrior! Neulasta and neupogen are as you said part of chemo, but he doesnt believe in them unless your white count crashes. Emend is the cadillac of anti nausea durgs, ativan is for anxiety and nausea, and there are various and sundry pain pills, vicodin, percosette, darvosette, oxcicodon etc. I believe we all should be getting the best possible medications no matter what our financial or social status, but evidently there are some problems with all that. Coolbreeze there is no way you should leave the group and ALL  the sisters chimed in on that one!! Once a Warrior always a Warrior!  Menevermind," yeah"!!! bon fires with your sweetie, I remember those, I think, thats the best, you go sister! You are no way a bummer just cause you had some bad days, you need to talk about the good, the bad and the ugly here cause this is your place to let it all hang out.  Shel, sorry your feelin weak and were not able to eat, maybe 2marrow you will have more appetite. Try to think of things that would really tempt you, you know those things we try to avoid because of our waistlines, then just go for it. Hot fudge sundaes, banana splits, key lime pie, cozy shack pudding and lemon drops for that ugly taste!!  BrendaSharon ,so happy that you are feeling good!! Day ten hooray!! You have been so busy, this group is getting to be enormous, all a bunch of amazing ladies!! Just think you started this roll. I know it has to be hard for you cause I haven't even had a TX and my brain is already on overload! Thank you for cheering me on about the meds and unfortunately I and others like me, are not equal under our current medical insurance laws. We need universal health care. Your attention to detail has been great and all the Warriors truly appreciate your efforts. Throw alot of love on that husband of yours and enjoy his company whenever you can. Carry on fearless leader!!   Welcome Livelife, from across the pond!! We are a rainbow coalition of women beyond borders!! Bravo sister warrior on being a true survivor!! Boy, if anyone knows what we are going thru or about to go thru it's you!! I think your attitude is amazing and you are more than welcome here with us all. We all look forward to your insight and wisdom on this fight we are undertaking! 

Well my sisters, a Goodnite to you all, Portergirl, Mommy2two, Ann, Sueinfflu, RedheadPam, Sherri, Jkwick, Cafelovr, phillipa, and the Aussie sisters hoping you are all doing good or will be soon!! Could someone tell this digitally challenged Nani how to grab those cute little happy faces from up there and put them in my text!!! LOL, I'm not kidding!!

Hi Ladies.  Sorry you all have to be here.  It brings back memories to read your posts.

I have a video to share with you.  My friend's son needed a project for his media class in college so he taped my head shaving party. 

If I had it to do over again I would have had my closest peeps with me and not made such a big fiasco out of it. 

Best wishes to all of you.  Drink lots of water and remember that the anticipation is worse than the actual treatment.

Although it doesn't seem like it, life does get better.

Best wishes to all of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zznlRBX4wEg

Hugs

Well good morning all.  It seems that morning is just not a good time for me.  I made a stop on my way into work to pick up some prunes and feel like I am going to die.  I got all hot and sweaty.  I had food with substance with me and it didn't work.  I downed half a bottle of water in hopes of not upchucking.  This is going to be harder to regulate that I thought.  It seems that my tummy is really only truly happy if I have soup in it.  So I will buy a plug in the car travle mug and just keep soup around all the time.  Now that I know that is what works best I can adapt.  Chocolate milk tastes good today, YIPPIE!  I bought some other drinks at the store in hopes of finding something good.  I made lemon aid last night, it was like drinking dirt.  Will not try that anytime soon. 

My hubbie was so sweet last night.  He made dinner and cleaned up all the mess.  He also let me fall asleep in his lap while rubbing my head.  I love that man oh mine.  He could tell I din't have a great day yesterday and even asked me about it, but what the best part was that he listened, without telling me how to deal with it.  He just listened.  I was amazed.  Even thought this is a crap of a thing to be going through I really think we are learning to deal with each other better.  Silver linning?  You bet. 

O.K. so now I have soup in my tum I feel better.  But I don't want to start working.  Now off to find a scarf from the earlyer posts.  Shopping is fun.  Hope everyone is going to have a great day.  lets all hope I am the worst today.  LOVE YOU ALL!!  ((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))) Love Kimmy

Something that never occurred to me until last night at the Look Good, Feel Better meeting...

IF you are planning on shaving your head in advance of losing your hair, leave about 1/2 to 1 inch so that your remaining hair will bend when you put on a wig.  Otherwise, there are lots of "pickies" and the ladies there told me that it is painful.  That alone was worth the trip!  There is a funny part...after that, she said to roll a lint roller over my head a couple of times a day until it all falls out.  If you can't tell, I do NOT want the shock of waking up to a pillow full of hair or the scary shower scene I have pictured in my mind's eye!

My regular hairdresser is going to cut it down to the 1" mark on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving so I can give my new wig a try-out for the first time at a family gathering, not at work!

Hope you all have a great day...only 2 days until my first chemo

Melinda ~ How did it go today at the oncologist? 

Cafelovr ~ I am sending up prayers that your liver biopsy is NEGATIVE !!!!!!  Not sure on the rash by your port, maybe just let it air out?!  I hope it feels better. 

Hoping today finds everyone feeling GOOD !

I am having a belly full of acid today.  And my mouth is RAW!!!.  YUCK YUCK YUCK.  So now I am off to get blood work done.  What a great day.  Hope everyone is doing good.

((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))Love Kimmy

Brenda ~ so nice your hairdresser came to your house.  Mine did the same, it really was nice to have it done in the privacy of my home.  I told hubby I think we should buzz it off this weekend, before Chemo Monday.  He said NO.  He seems afraid of the whole bald thing.  Heck I'm not thrilled either but I don't want to wake up to clumps coming out. 

Kimmy ~ I was using the Biotene for the mouth then I switched to warm salt water I think that works better.  I had a sore last week and the salt water worked wonders.  Make sure you are drinking enough. Kimmy/Shel ~ I use Mylanta for the acid belly and tums too ~ they make new smoothie ones that aren't so chalky.

(((((HUGS Fellow WARRIORS))))))

No mets! Just a glowing lymph node that showed up on the PET scan.

So my first chemo will be 11/16 (they are trying to get me into a study and my glowing lymph node needs approval). I will be AC x 4 every two weeks, with the neulesta shot. I have heard bad things about the neulesta, will keep my fingers crossed.

Going out to celebrate my cleanish scan!

I think I am going to be having some very late nights now that I have found this group of warriors. Everyone is in bed, including the puppy - so a good time for me to catch up with you all. It was good to read your postings this morning but somehow writing back seems better at night when the house is quiet. I love your inclusive poem BrendaSharon, thank you. Melinda41 great news about your scan, I had practiced receiving a bad news result so many times that I am still getting used to the good news that I have no spread beyond lymph. Reading about trying to get hold of the best medication sounds similar and different to care over here in the UK. We have a National Health System which means that part of our tax goes to our health care, private health cover is very much the exception/luxury item over here. So instead we all get the same, the cheapest !!!!!!! I am fortunate in that I am being treated at one of the two leading cancer hospitals in the UK, yet even here only 6 people have had their chemo via a port- via a venflon is the norm.

As a result our survival rates on cancer as a result are much lower than in the USA- not that I intend to let cheap medication lower my personal chance of survival- a warrior spirit and God in the battle will make up for cheap medication.

I was wondering if any of you are using any special dietary approaches- I have skim read a book by Jane Plant who advocates dairy free and use of soya. I have read around on the science which seems to be inconclusive- so have decided to give it a shot- dairy free meaning that I have to get my food kicks from health alternatives rather than a quick fix with chocolate or cake. I am having a bit of soya but not gallons of the stuff. I feel really healthy on this plan. She advocates not eating meat in the active phase of cancer- but I am having a little.

In terms of medication I haven't even heard of enmed, sounds good though. I am on ondasetron/zofran- which seems to do the trick. I am on those immune boosting injections too doronet and know what you mean about seeing them in the fridge. I give myself my injections- in my fatty tummy roll- it's not so bad there- I kind of pinch it up and slowly put the needle in. I do it at bed time then sleep off the side effects. In the UK we have District Nurses who come and visit you at home to do these- but I would rather do it myself. They are coming tomorrow to flush my hickman line- cheap version of a port, it is a central line with about 6 inches of tune sticking out from my chest. I am at a fancy do on Friday evening- hope it doesn't waggle out !! I am trying to get some tape to make my boobs look even, need to drag my old saggy one off to the left so that it matches my rock hard right new boob. oh well if I am odd at least I will be unique.

Good night my new friends xx

Hi Warriors!

Melinda41 - GREAT news!  So happy for you.

Brenda - How do you ever keep everything straight on here?  I have to spend 30 minutes re-reading posts every time to make sure I know what I'm talking about :-)

Anyone that is having tummy problems as in acid, burning, pain....I was developing an ulcer from all the meds (I have a history of them)....started taking my Prevacid and it stopped and I feel great now.  Your doctor will prescribe some of that or another type of med if you ask them.

I hope everyone has a nice restful evening!

((((HUGS))))

Toyah