Chemo Starting Sep 09

Good Morning to all...I hope that everyone had a great Christmas/holiday time with family and friends....it sounds from the posts like we made it through.  I agree with you all that this Christmas was different...for me I was less stressed because I didn't do as much as I normally would and I did some different things in the kitchen.  No baking this year and that really saddened me...but I got a Kitchenaid standing mixer from my bf and kids so next year I will bake up a storm!!  I hope that everyone has a good week....I have tx on Wed. (one more to go after that one!) and am already dreading it, but this will sound weird...I will miss the nurses!  Better get ready for work....I wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR....a year without cancer, tx's and doctor drama!

Kim

Anita- Sorry about the fatigue and moving your tx, i hope you feel better soon. You aren't suffering from anemia? Thats the kind of fatigue I have had when I had anemia. I hope you are better soon. So the 1/4 tx will be your last last?

 Kim- Congrats on almost being done and the new stand mixer-those are very nice.

Jane-Congrats on you last tx coming up! I am sooo very excited for you!

 Neece- A big fat congratulations to you that you are done! Big celebratory hugs you made it!

Glad everyone had a good holiday. Had a few non-medical dramas, but nothing I can't handle, although chemo does make it tough. But I will think good thoughts and all will be great.

Had tx 10 today, 9 more to go! I love single digit countdowns.

Love to you all-

Barbara

Well that sounds like mine. I had a couple bouts of anemia, not cancer/chemo/radiation related, separate problem. But it made me so tired that I could hardly turn my head to look sideways, and I would also be short of breath-walking up a short flight of stairs was out of the question without a break to catch my breath and rest.

 As a side note I also used to crave chocolate and the smell of comet cleanser, ( No kidding-I would clean everything within and inch of its life just to smell that mineral smell) -turned out after a couple of months on an iron supplement that went away. I still eat chocolate, but don't crave all those things. The chemo nurses think the Iron is helping with my counts too. I don't know.

But I do take my Iron with food, it can be hard on the stomach, and I always eat Raisin Bran every morning because it can cause things to get bound up until your body gets accustomed to it. 

I hope your anemia eases up. Congrats on the last one coming up (My last one isn't until 3/2). Radiation was a breeze for me, especially now looking back with some of my chemo txs under my belt.

Take Care I will keep you and your fatigue in my thoughts and prayers.

Love

Barbara

Hi SOSisters.....Bagged up the sour kraut today for New Years....32 gallons! Wow....didn't think we made that much!  It's all been passed out ready to bring good luck to all!  Don't forget everyone....at least one strand for luck!  I personally love it...my husband hates it but always eat's a strand!  Been feeling good all in all except for some slight bone pain... in hips, knees and shoulders....not sure what it's from but checking in with the dr this week to see if they have any ideas....nothing too terrible just annoying and not normal for me. Brother has been in town from sunny CA and it's been fun to hang out and take it easy.  Still wigless...and love it!  I need to get a picture for you all as promised....My eyelashes are about half way in and brows seem just about complete.  After my last surgeon visit, it was decided I would take tamoxiphen while getting rads....oh yay    Can't wait.... hehe but will wait til next week to start....but need the no estrogen thing to keep me on the healthy path....so I'll endure~  Congrats to all who have finished!  Hoping the days aren't too bad for those of you still hitting the juice bar .  Barb, what a bummer you are the last....I wish for those days to go by at the speed of light so you can begin to heal too....  2010.....our year of healing .....our hearts, our heads and our bodies.  Our year of new hair! Hoping for some curly stuff, but it's too early to tell!  Now I feel like a chia pet....everyday I water it and watch it grow!  

So what are the big plans for all of you this new year??? Any resolutions....Mine....more active, a low fat focus and low stress and a don't worry.....be happy attitude...oh yea and maybe try to make some $$ this year.  So I'll be looking for a part time job and also continue my clay and metal designs.  

DH and I may go to Europe this spring for a week or so....we are both in desperate need of a vacation.  Still discussing it....he has a meeting in Graz Austria so...I hope to fly along and enjoy the wonderful city and tour some castles....crossing my fingers it works out!  Unfortunately for him he would still have to work...

Can't wait to hear what's coming up for you all this year...please share!

Big hugs! Melinda 

Hi ladies!   So nice to see the board full of non-chemo stuff!   The holidays have been a nice distraction from the chemo grind but even with only six guests and a very mellow Christmas day, I was wiped out on Saturday.   I have my bounce back now though, just in time for my 8th weekly Taxol TX on Thursday.   After that...four more and I'm done!

Anita - The delay of your last TX must be disheartening, but hopefully you'll get it as planned on Monday and you'll get through it better than the last one.  The blood counts are tricky.  Mine have held up pretty well but they bounce around for no apparent reason.

Melinda - Sounds like good news on the hair front.   My head is now covered with funny-colored fuzz, my eyelashes are coming back (very short and completely white), but my brows are more gone than ever.   How long was your hair when you decided to show it to the world?

Barbara - Comet???  That is just a really wierd side effect of anemia.  I was anemic as a teenager and absolutely craved crushed ice.  I ate bowls of it.  It is apparently a pretty common craving with anemia but one wonders why...not much nutritional value in ice.  Gosh you are a real trooper!  I thought 16 TXs was a long row to hoe...you've got 19!  But you are over the hump....YEAH!

Catherine - Hang in there with the hot flashes.  Must be uncomfortable...cold head, hot body.  Do you know how long it takes for your body to get used to its new hormone-free state?

Jane- I hope the mystery of the swelling has been solved.  I read somewhere that drinking more water can help with swelling.  It sounds counter-intuitive but...

Jane & Barb0323 - Good luck tomorrow!

I haven't made any New Year's resolutions.  I think focusing on getting through my last TXs in January and moving on to radiation will keep me busy enough the first few months of the year.  HA!

Patty

China -- We seem to be pretty much on the same schedule.   I have my radiation consult on January 11th, however my Onc doesn't want me to start until early March... a four week rest after my last Taxol.   I read that Taxol (and maybe other chemos) can cause "radiation recall" which exacerbates the redness and other radiation effects.  So may be that is why they want us to have a break.   While I'm anxious to get radiation over with I plan to thoroughly enjoy my one month break from treatments.   Have fun at your parties!

Hormone positive ladies -- has anybody had the discussion with their Onc about the timing of starting the anti-hormonals?   My guy said the research has shown that it really doesn't matter if you start before radiation or after, so in favor of "one thing at a time" he recommended starting after.  Any other opinions out there?

Patty

Hey Patty I was really obsessed with ice cold beverages but not eating ice, and after having to eat ice during AC I don't think I could stand another cup. But when I was anemic  the nurses kept asking me about ice, so it seems as if that is a "normal" se. I can't explain the comet thing, other than when I started the iron supplement and got it full in my system, (couple of weeks month maybe?) It was gone. Very weird.

 I heard about radiation recall too. I also heard from a lady who was going through radiation at the same time as me that she had milder versions of her chemo se's after starting rads, hair falling out etc..  So it is good to wait.

Jane and Barb-thinking of you. Oh and Jane if I lived closer I would clean your sinks anytime.

 Melinda- I hope you get to go on the trip-what a fun adventure and well deserved. I am sorry I am the last too, I want to party with the rest of you!! Can't wait to see your photo. I was at the store today and forgot to buy Sauerkraut! Maybe I can sneak out tomorrow and pick up a jar, I am all for anything for luck in 2010.

Much love and hugs ladies

Barbara

Hello SOSisters.... did a nice long post this am while sitting in the chair and lost it!  So, last chemo out of the way, YEAH!  Had a small graduation ceremony complete with balloon and a knit pink cap from the nurses.  I will meet with the radiologist on 1/29 and probably start the week after.  It will be 3 weeks.  I have my next appt with onc on 1/28 to discuss results of eckocardiogram and talk about hormone therapy - I will be on Famera (sp) not Tamoxifen since I have already been through menopause.  I start fluid pills tomorrow am for the swelling in feet and legs.  They seem to think it is from the taxotere and will probably continue a few weeks due to accumulative effect of the chemo.  We'll see.

Melinda - yes I will try some sauerkraut.  32 gallons what will you do with it all?   I like the thought of going from chemo head to chia pet!  It sounds so much nicer.  What kind of part time job are you thinking of getting?  Resolution for me - don't sweat the small stuff, count my blessings every day and try to make smarter choices about food and start exercising!  Quiet New Year for us, I have to work the next day.  Hope you get to go to Europe, we lived in England for 3 years, DH calls it my 3 year vacation - I didn't work and I loved every minute of our time there.  I traveled with a group of friends and we had the best time!

Catherine - did you send your cold weather this way?  It was a whopping 29 here today and it was cold!!!  I'm glad to hear you are feeling good.  Hot flashes are horrible aren't they?   I understand for those of us already having hot flashes/night sweats it only gets worse. Please keep us posted on your rx and if they work.

Patty - good luck with your txt tomorrow!  Glad you had a nice Christmas, I was wiped out the next day too and had to go to work at 5:30am.  I have fuzz all over my head but it is white!  It's probably been white for quite awhile, my hair dresser has been covering it up for years.  I have been drinking lots of water, it is so good for so many things that ail us.  With the fluid pill I should be getting rid of my chemo quickly this txt!  I got the impression today that I will probably start my hormone therapy about the same time as radiation.   I get a nice 3 week break!

ChinaBlue - I think they like the chemo to be out of your system.  3 parties - sounds like fun.  You should attend everyone of them!  

BarbAnne41 - thanks for the offer cleaning my sinks!  If we were closer we could do something fun! What do you have planned for New Year's.  Anything fun?

Neece - Happy New Year!  Sounds like a lovely evening you have planned and what a wonderful idea to write down your 2009 blessings.  As bad as this past year has seemed one of the things I am truly grateful for is all my family and friends and how much love and support I have received from all of them!  This of course includes all my SOSisters!   Are you anywhere near Perth and the horrible fires?  

Barb0323 & Kim - hope todays txt went smoothly for both of you!  No or minimal se's!

Hope all the rest of our sisters are getting ready to celebrate New Year's and are doing well!

This week coming up is when I start my letter writing campaign back up for someone to sponsor our first annual meeting of the SOSisters.  However, some of our sisters no longer post, some are posting very seldom and I need to know approximately how many of you are still interested in getting together if I can find a sponsor.  I am aiming for spa resorts in luxurious settings, have done all the tv stations for our story, going to try them again.  The foundations I tried are interested in nonprofits not individuals.  I have a list of most influential philanthropists I will also try.  Suggestions are welcome. We are looking at Aug/Sept 2010.   Barb0323 sending you a PM since you are in the travel business. Anyway if everyone could let me know either here or PM I would appreciate it!

Take care everyone and have a safe New Year's!

Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jane

A spa reunion...Wow!!!!  Count me in!  I live in NY any chance it would be in the North East?

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Healthly New Year! Here's to 2010!!

THINK POSITIVE

Catherine

JANE....YOU"RE DONE!!!  I"M DOING THE HAPPY DANCE FOR YOU!!!!  1 month from now food will taste amazingly wonderful & if you're like me, you'll eat like a fiend because it's so yummy!  Congrats, Sister!

Happy New Year to everyone!!!! I wish this new year will be great and healthy! I am so glad that we all are doing better! It has been a long battle and we keep on wining!

((((HUGS)))

Wanda

Didit - Thank you Thank you for posting about the numbness.  My feet and hands are a mess.  It is soooo reassuring to hear that your feet and hands are back to normal.

Hurray for you for completing the chemo journey. 

Hi everyone.  Wishing us a New Year filled with happiness, health and prosperity!  I have come here for your encouragement.  As you know, I just finished 8 rounds of chemo before surgery in the hopes that it would shrink the tumor.  Met with the onc. to get results of the latest MRI and did not receive good news.  The last rounds of Taxol had not shrank the tumor and the MRI showed something new further back in the same breast.  The radiologist said that under normal circumstance, he would wait 2 to 3 months and re-do the MRI.  However, since my circumstance isn't normal, he wants to do a MRI guided biopsy as soon as possible.  He thinks it is benign, but wants to be sure.  Please pray that it is benign.  Thank you so much for your support.  I greatly appreciate it.

Jane - I am definitely up for a reunion.  Put me down.

To everyone who finished their last treatments, CONGRATULATIONS!

I'm sorry I did not address each one individually, but I have a lot on my mind right now.  I will post later when I am in a better frame of mind.  Thanks.

Holly

Holly- I went through something similar last fall pre chemo when they were scanning m e because of this and that..it will be ok. I am going to pray for with and about you! I know it is super hard but try and take a deep breath and focus on the positive outcome you want.It is what got me through last fall.

Sending you big positive hugs.

Barbara