Starting Chemo October 2009

txstardust, congrats on the wedding plans!  I love the idea of having a small ceremony...so much less to worry about, then it's more about the two of you.  I'm sending you good weather vibes!

Meredith

Shelby, That is GREAT news...Congratulations..how exciting.  MY husband has been to the riverwalk and said it is beautiful.  Wow that is going to happen fast..best of luck planning, I hope you have some help with that.

It makes me sick to think that ladies will have to wait longer to have mammograms.  I think it should start at age 35.  I went for a mammogram of my righty and they found the lump in lefty..go figure.

Michele

Thanks for the kind words Michele.  I actually was asked to do an on air - but I am really knocked back from last Friday's final dAC.  Yikes!  This fatigue is horrific.  Of course being nervous about the lump in the other breast is upsetting too and probably doesn't help with the whole positive mental image thingy.

I received a kind email from the producer of the gma/abc stories who gave me the links-

here are the links:

I was included on their website:

  http://abcnews.go.com/Health/OnCallPlusBreastCancerNews/slideshow?id=9099350  

 If you scroll over the photos you will see two photos and my quote.  Also, the story appeared on the GMA segment on air this morning and my photo was chosen of only one of four nationwide...  

As Michele found, apparently you can see the online segment on line - Here is the link from this morning's GMA show:    

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/HealthyLiving/experts-debate-breast-cancer-screenings/story?id=9101256   

Just click on the video link, it is about 1 minute into it that you will see the collage..  

This is such a BAD recommendation!  Please, please, please voice your opinion and share with your friends and associates that breast cancer is the number 1 killer (cancer) of women under age 50.  No matter what your politics, this is about saving lives and also maintaining productivity and quality of life!   I have written my reps here in Florida and in Washington, D.C. 

Also CONGRATS! to txstardust on the upcoming nuptials!  Having been a long time married lady - I can definitely say that it is the best life!  You must really have a special guy who is not only standing by you throughout all this bc bs, burt is also wanting to celebrate with you NOW as I am sure you that are even even more of an extraordinary woman than you were before the dx.

I am going to try to catch some zzzz's now...

love and peace,

Jaclyn

Hi Meredith, I just checked out your blog! I have one too...tried to comment on yours, but couldn't for some reason(maybe i am not thinking clearly due to poison being injected into my arm every 2 weeks).  I started my chemo Nov. 11 and have pretty much gone through all the same stuff as you.  I came across this thread, as i didn't feel like starting a november chemo one and figured i was close enough to all of you gals!  I am 31 and have 2 young children.  I really enjoyed your blog entry on what not to say to someone with cancer....my husband and i were thinking of writing a book for that! If you ever wanna chat, you can email me shannyshields@hotmail.com or check out my blog shannonshields.wordpress.com  sincerely, shannon

Hi All!

Congrats Shelby on your upcoming wedding!  I too had a small wedding - we eloped while on vacation in Maui.  I mean really small as it was just us, our 2 good friends on vacation with us and the lady that married us - "Rev Bev" aka Reverend Beverly Powers (retired actress who starred in several Elvis Pressley movies).  We had a fantastic time!

Oh and I want to make it clear to everyone and anyone who might be going this route that my PICC line trouble is just with an allergic reaction to the dressings and not the actual PICC line.  It is still viable and I will do whatever I can to keep this in - it makes the infusions so much easier and faster.  I've got an appt tomorrow for another dressing change and I'm hoping with constant and vigilant care I'll get the blistering under control/elimated and the rest of my chemo time will pass uneventfully.

I have seen a few chemo patients blow out veins while infusing and after my first TX Epirubicn flare with residual vein damage I do NOT want to go back to an iv into a vein!

Jaclyn you look fabulous with your little pumpkin head (men!) and I'm with you on the new 50+ for mammogram change.  I just can't believe it and don't understand why the change? 

I started having mammograms at 40 because I'm a lumpy breasted girl and sure enough a mammoram picked up microcalcifications on my right breast in 2005 3 years after I started having them.  I found the lump on my left through self exam (the side that was removed) but it was confirmed by mammogram and if not for the mammogram I would have been happy to believe it was just normal breast tissue as my GP told me it was.  I'm 47 now and if I had to wait until I was 50 I would be in worse shape than I am now - who knows what my prognosis would have been!

I'm on Day #2 post TX#3 and so far so good - headache is being kept at bay with Extra Strength Tylenol.  I did that the last time for 2 days and it seemed to work at avoiding the nausea and vomitting.

I'm a bit tired today with deep under eye circles but I just need to force myself to rest more - hard to do with 2 active teens in the house.  A new sport is starting up for DS (basketball) as well as soccer on the go until March (in BC we play soccer through the winter) and my DD is still busy with volleybal having won the North Shore Championship and made it into the Lower Mainland playoffs with upcoming Provincials. 

I'm lucky that I have good friends and neighbours as well supportive family that help pitch in with carpooling and feeding the kids when needed.

Speaking of Christmas have any of you started your Christmas shopping?  I'm usually done by September but this year with everything going on I've only bought a few things. I'm not stressed though and will get to some online shopping in the next week or so.

Time is speeding by fast though don't you think?  I can't believe it's mid November and I'm 1/2 done my chemo!

Well I'm off to drive DD to yet another volleyball practice!

Have a great night everyone!

Marie

Marie,  I have started my xmas shopping and have quite a bit done.  i have to mail a few so I wanted to get them out of the way...each day I feel well, i go out an get  a gift or two...That way I know I won't have to wait until I have no energy, no money and no time...I think of it as my form of exercise...walking the mall. reaching for had sanitizer, pushing others out of way to get that last good deal, hand sensitizing, reaching for debit card, sanitizing after touching debit machine..it is all exercise.  I really do sanitize like that, no joking.  I carry wipes in my purse and clean everything before I touch it...I had a guy at walmart tell me I didn't need to use my wipe to touch the buttons on the self checkout, because he cleaned it several times a day.  I told him I was going through chemo and that shut him up.  Yes I am that anal.

well enough about me...hope all is well with you ladies..

Michele

Hi girls,  I am still recovering from my infections last week. I do feel better and will go ahead with port placement and 2nd tx tomorrow.  Here we go again...I hope it is a less eventful 3 weeks.

    MaryNy,  my hair started falling out last Tuesday. It was almost gone by Sunday (it was pitifully thin) I had my DH buzz it.

   -did I read someone has glue for wigs?? my wig feels like it will pop off as I walk around.

  Jaclyn  I have been watching the news show closely on this new mammo recommendation.  (your picture looked very nice on GMC).    I can't believe they are willing to let our daughters, sisters and friends take such a risk.. I do not want to see someone facing stage 3 or 4 because they waited until 50!!!

Meridith -- you look so cute in your fancelux.  I got my scarf a few days ago.  It is so pretty.  I took a picture with it on and tried to post it, I will try again (this technical stuff seems to challenge me lately)

Marie  I am glad your picc worked.  I am getting a port tomorrow.  The veins in my arm are done..when I was in the hospital the next option was my foot,,,,,yuk !    I know what you mean about the active teenager. I have a 17 year old son who is getting ready to try out for varsity hockey.  I am looking forward to the games this winter. Parents have reached out to me and been so kind.

txstardust  - congratulations....hope your day is absolutely beautiful....you both deserve it

Valerie- hope you are enjoying your brother's company

---to all - hope side effects are minimun,  fatigue lessens and eyelashes and eyebrows stay put for a while longer.

   Jean

HI ITS ME JO JO JUST

Ive had  a hard 5 days from my TX soo tired i Carnot seem to get out of the house , and my brain has decided to do a runner on me ,i Carnot find it at all ,its really bad . .The nulasta shot that they gave me has made my legs feel like jelly and the top half feels like Ive been bashed up not a lot of pain just really sore to touch

BUDOMI

Your doing fec as well and I'm feeling the same as you ,also a bit depressed I'm wiped out for around 10 days as well then had a few normal days in between untill  the next time around  .Is it just a fec thing or a chemo thing ,i REALLY hate going through this ,I'm seeing my onco this Friday he may change a few things for me  at the moment i want to scratch his eyes out for putting me on this thing

I'M Glad for some of you ladies that arnt having bad SEs you are very lucky and for the ladies who are having bad ones I'm so sorry i know what its like  ,its the worse thing Ive been through and believe me Ive had my fair share .

SHELDY

Thats great news i cried when i read your news (I'm very emotionally charged at the moment )

EMBRACE YOUR BEAUTIFUL DAY

May it be the most perfect day of your life

AND you'll be having more than 20 guests there ---------we will all be there as well !!!!!!

well ill go now it has taken me about 30 Min's to write this much .,and ill come back when i find my brain

Love to you all

JO JO JUST

Oh my gosh...my Mom has her third chemo tomorrow and I forgot to remind her to take the Decadron!  I haven't been on the site since her last treatment.  It's just so hard to keep up on everything, I don't know how everyone does it.  She said she was feeling really dizzy today and she seemed a little grouchy.  She has been getting a little grouchy lately.  I guess she is just tired of not feeling like herself.  I wonder if I should have the Dr. give her another heart exam since she has had weekly herceptin treatments since the beginning of October now.  Has anyone else been taking Herceptin?

LAURA

Where do you get your energy FROM ????????? Ah maybe I'm missing something ? MaaaayBeeee ill smuggle in some steroids .

JoJo, so sorry you're having a hard time.  I know what you mean about the brain non-functioning. And the extreme fatigue is debilitating.  I'm wiped for about 2 weeks, then have one "good" week before the next treatment.

Marie and Laura, don't you sometimes feel like a kids' taxi service?  I've got two active teenagers, one who is FINALLY finished with volleyball (is it bad that I'm glad I don't have to drive her from practice every day?) and the other that is in the marching band, whose practices are at 6:45 AM - ugh - at least they only have practice twice a week now instead of every day.  But I'm glad they are enjoying life and staying active.

Michele, love the way you shut that guy up at the store!  And I'm jealous that you are so far along on your Christmas shopping!  This time of year is busy for gift-giving for me - one DD's b-day is Dec. 8, the other's is Jan. 18, then of course Christmas.  I've already taken care of the first kid's b-day, but have not bought ONE christmas present!  Maybe I should work on that this week, while I finally have a little energy.

Shannon, if you're interested, there is a thread out there with November chemo ladies (I don't know how to post the link to it, but if you do a search for November chemo I'm sure you can find it).  Of course, you are welcome to hang out with us!

EVERYONE - Keep fighting the good fight!  We're going to make it through all of this, and be stronger because of it!  I'm trying to work on the positivity, but I'm not always successful.  Some days, I hate life, but then I look at my kids and my fiance and know I've got to keep on going.

Thanks for all the good wishes!  I'm very excited.  Not much planning to do - don't need to worry about music or flowers (they aren't allowed on the island, part of the reason I chose it!).  Decorations will be the Christmas lights along the river; it's really beautiful this time of year!  A friend's hubby is a photographer and will be taking pics, and we've set up a late lunch for the reception close to the wedding spot on the river.  I'm going for simple here!  The only thing I'm worried about is trying to figure out what to do with my head (I'd say hair, but I don't have any, LOL).

Peace... 

TxStardust, maybe you can do a basic headcover in white, then use a really pretty scarf to make a band and tie around it?  They did some of those in my LGFB class.  You could do a bow or rosette with the band at your neck.  I wish my LGFB teacher were closer to you...she had so many good ideas!

Laura, hope your next TX goes well.

It sounds like so many of us are lucky to have plenty of people around us who need us and are helping us keep our lives normal.  I really think it's good for us, until it keeps us from getting rest.

We aren't traveling for the holidays.  I'll have another weekly Tx next week on Monday, and Thursday will have dinner with friends.  I am cooking a few things to bring, but thankfully NOT the whole meal. 

Mechelle, I am going to do some Christmas shopping today as well.  I've already set an extra thing of hand sanitizer aside to bring in case my first one runs out mid trip!  

Budomi, sorry the drugs drain you so much.  Just listen to your body.  What I think I remember reading about the black nail polish is that there is some relationship between the taxol and sunlight that causes lack of nails, and black polish blocks that.  I haven't had the nail issue, but I remember wondering if a great really dark red would block enough and look better for the holidays.  Oh well!

Hang in there ladies! 

MICHELLE

Thanks for your note , I'm glad its not just me ,i thought i was dying ,lol ,but i HATE to think that others are feeling the same cause its horrible thing to go through .

I looked at that site and have order my self a wrap, its the one i think like yours a big diamante butterfly on it its lovely it was $29 shipping ?  thanks heaps I'm excited

Today I'm feeling a lot better ,it seems to lift of  boy I'm SUCH a sookie ,i feel like that koala bear that was burnt in the bush fires over here around 6 mths ago

JOJO

Enjoyful good luck tomorrow. I am going for chemo #2 tomorrow. Wishing little SE's. Feeling good tonight so I will enjoy one more day without SE's.

JoJo hope you get some energy. Sending some of my mine your way.

HI  ALL

Hope everyone who is going for their spacial juice will have absolutely NO SEs

I'm feeling pretty darn good today ,so Ive dressed up and i look really hot and DH is taking me grocery shopping and maybe if I'm extra hot i might score myself some lunch on the beach

extra hugs to all I'm feeling the love today.

JO JO