Starting Chemo October 2009

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2010

    Congratulations to MaryK, Shelby and Snuziq as you all head to your last treatment!  That is so awesome. 

    Marie - congrats on finishing chemo!!!!!  You did it.  Now on to the next phase.  May you never see chemo again.

    1L - I agree with you wholeheartedly.  I could not have made it through without you ladies' support and enouragement.  It has been a lifesaver. 

    GML - congratulations for finishing chemo!  Sorry you are not feeling well.  But you are right, just having chemo done will help you get through feeling lousy.

    fMaryNY- how long can you stay on COBRA?  Just curious.  My husband just lost his job, but thankfully his medical insurance is with my employer.  Thankfully he gets pay until the end of February and he already has a job interview lined up. 

    Well ladies must say a lot is happening with all of you ladies finishing up on chemo.  That is the best news ever.  Most of us will/have moved on to our next phase of treatment.  Keep striving for health and living cancer free.

    My arm is feeling so much better, however, I must constantly do my stretching exercises.  I am going to ask for a referral to a PT just so I can find out other exercises that will stop me from getting lyphedema.  I still have neuropathy in my feet but I do believe it is getting better.  It has been two weeks since finishing chemo and my hair is still nonexistent.  I think it will take much longer than I thought to see signs of life on my head. 

    I meet with my rad onc on Friday and want to get this thing started so I can be finished.

    Stay strong ladies!

    Anita

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited January 2010

    Scoobydoo: Typically COBRA lasts 18 months (in my case that would be until end July). Currently I'm eligible for the subsidy under ARRA—I pay 35% of the monthly premium. The subsidy was originally offered for nine months but was just exended for a further six months. This has been a blessing to me as I wouldn't be able to afford to pay the full premium.

    Hoping your husband's job interview turns out well. If his coverage was currently provided by his employer he would be eligible for COBRA, but I think he would just miss qualifying for the COBRA subsidy as currently it only applies to people who were laid off between 1 Sept 2008 and 28 Feb 2010. If his employer is paying him to end of Feb, he would not be eligible for the subsidy. But in any case, if his employer is not now providing insurance, I'm pretty sure COBRA is not an option for him anyway.

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited January 2010

    Anita, good luck to your hubby on his job interview!  As if BC weren't enough to deal with...

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2010

    Thanks ladies.

    Actually his last day is 2/26/10, so he would have qualified.  But like you said, thank goodness he is under my insurance, which is pretty good insurance, so we are definitely blessed.

    Thanks Shelby.  We have both prayed about this and feel very confident that he will find a job.  Fortunately we are living in the best place right now for jobs...DC area.  He has just applied to 10 jobs and will probably get a call back for an interview with 90% of the jobs he applied for.  He is in a field that has a lot of opportunities so that is good also.

    Anita

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    Anita,

    Good luck to your husband in his job hunt.



    Love

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  • lieberman1
    lieberman1 Member Posts: 42
    edited January 2010
    Yipee!  Today is the last chemo treatment for my Mom!  She made it!  Now she will have herceptin once every three weeks until October.  She is happy to not have to go to the chemo room once a week anymore.  She will start radiation but I'm not sure of the details as we haven't met with radiology yet.  I am going to schedule an appointment with her surgeon so we can talk about reconstruction.  She says she is ready but I am wondering if it is better to wait until after radiation is over.  I haven't said anything to her but I am so worried about her having pain from the radiation.  
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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited January 2010

    Good Morning Ladies!

    I'm happy to report no nausea or vomitting for me - so far!  I even had a proper dinner last night and coffee this morning!

    On to top it off I received good news from my insurance company - the cost of the twice a year (for 3 years) Zometa infusions (bone builder to help fight bone mets) will be covered 100%!

    Anita Good Luck to your husband in finding a job!

    Shelby - your hat sounds perfect and getting the centrepiece was worth going wasn't it!

    Michele - I know you will love having that PICC line out - I was more excited about that then it being my final chemo.  BUT I have yet to scrub my arm. I actually used my PICC cover this morning in the shower because the "opening" needs to stay covered for a few days before getting wet.  The surrounding skin is a mess and I'm hoping it will heal and look better over time - right now it looks like I'm a burn victim as the skin is red/wrinkly and scarred.

    I'm going to enjoy the next 6 weeks off before RADS and have lots of plans to get work around the house done - today the glass guys are installing the shower doors (the final step in the kids bathroom reno), tomorrow the garage organizer comes again for more before photos, and on Friday the carpet and tile guy comes to do a final measure. 

    Life goes on....

    Hugs to all!

    Marie

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2010

    Yay I can have my port removed!!!!  I am scheduled for next Tuesday to have it done.  I have been approved for the oral arm of the bisphosphonate trial.  I am happy about that as well. 

    I sure hope it is not too painful to have it removed.  Getting it put in was definitely not fun.

    Anita

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    Anita,

    Good luck to your husband in his job hunt.



    Love

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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited January 2010

    HI ALL

    wow GMK,LIEBERMAN I YOUR MUM , ISABELLE, ANITA ,AND MARY K , and i hope i got everyone else , YOUR FINISHED CHEMO I'm so happy for you guys, well done you guys are tuff stuff .

    PRINCESS JOJO IS BACK  .

    Thanks for the encouraging words about going all the way to the end with chemo more than likely i will make it to the finishing line cause you all will be on the other side of the  finishing line to cheer me on , i have been crying so much latley  .

    WELL who wants to have a laugh ?

    Picture this , a lady and her 2 children 20 and 14 yrs is walking down an  extremely sleep and windy road  that has gravel  on both sides with no foot paths  ,she is 5ft4'' 80 kg and a small round bald head,. She twists her ankle on the  uneven surface looses her balance slowly falling to the ground sliding and rolling about 4 ft on the gravel worrying about her $160 bag she comes to a stop, head is facing down, arms and legs all over the place and in a lot of pain ,ripped pants blood all over and her 2 children extremely worried for her and  trying to get her up which was a hard task

    WEEELLLL that was meeee ,we laugh so hard we could hardly walk the rest of the way to, luckly the doctors for my sons app, the doc saw my wounds and put me on antibiotics and gave me a tetanus shot ,it was so funny but I'm sooo sore today every time i try to go up the stairs in my home, which we have a lot of, i start laughing in pain cause its such a thing only i  would be capable of doing

    Its good seeing the faces to the names and knowing  a little bit about others thanks for sharing yourselves with us .Me I'm 45  had a upbringing which was very safe with 2 loving parents and 2 older sisters whom were all very close, i got married to number 1 husband when i was 19, it lasted 8 month due to him living a double life with a string of affairs and the knowledge of him trying to rape my best friend / bridesmaid the day befor the wedding( he was a sex addict )  well that one ended.

    Then 2 yrs of working and having ,fun met number 2 husband  married to him for 15 yrs had 4 children it was 15 yrs of mental and physical abuse, lots of broken bones and a shattered self respect and  selfesteme , my two older girls seen a lot more then the two boys did ,which took them, after the divorce ,one onto self destruction withe ice and other drugs and sleeping on the streets for around a year and the other daughter to  hard crime with her boyfriend  ,mean while 6mnth ofter the separation along comes husband number 3 for jojo  SAM my night in shining Armour ,he held on to me  and my shattered children  with loving arms and helped us get back on our feet agian  it has been hard, but  our girls are back ,  drug free ,crime free and with a baby each which has helped them to settle  down ,they live 15 min away from us and just love having lots of family time, the kids see Sam as there dad and have loads of love  and respect for him a very happy ending . And now were in doing the b/c thing  .

    Well that a bit about me all you ladies seem to be doing well and to all of us having our last TXs in a few weeks lets put on our running shoes and lets think about the big 3Gs talk soon my lovlies

    PRINCESS JOJO

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited January 2010

    Princess JOJO ~ OUCH !!!  So sorry about your fall, but glad it left your sense of humor intact.  Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your family.  I am so glad Sam has come along and all is shaping up in life for you.  NOW kick this cancer in the ass and hopefully all will be wonderful in your life. 

    Marie ~ glad you are feeling pretty good !  I will have to ask my ONC about the Zometa - wonder if it is an option for me. 

    To all you other lovely ladies I hope you are feeling good ~

    :)
    Alicia

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  • snuziq
    snuziq Member Posts: 107
    edited January 2010

    MaryNY - I'M DONE!  Please update my smilies!  This one seemed pretty easy as I didn't have any allergic complications.  That may be due to the fact that I have been on steriods for over a week because of respiratory infection.   Had a great celebratory lunch with my husband and my best friend.  Now all I have to do is muscle through the side effects and I'm good.

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  • snuziq
    snuziq Member Posts: 107
    edited January 2010

    Jojo - thank you for your story.  That sounds like something I would do.  i'm the girl who falls UP stairs.  I'm glad the doc took care of you and hope the stiffness goes away soon.

    I'm "vritually" sending you a kiss for each boo boo.

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited January 2010
    Congrats Snuziq! Kiss
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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    Congrats SnuziQ!!!



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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2010

    Congratulations Snuziq!!!  That is awesome.  You made it through. 

    JoJo - Sorry about the fall.  Wow I sure hope you are not too beat up.  I am always falling down.  My teenage daughter has too many stories to tell of me falling.  Glad to hear you are going to go all the way with your chemo.  We are not going anywhere and will definitely be here to cheer you on.

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  • one-L
    one-L Member Posts: 1,110
    edited January 2010

    Princess JoJo, thanks for sharing your history with us.  It is amazing how you can make me laugh and cry from the same post.  I can just see you rolling down the hill, feet and arms going every which way.  I am so glad that you met a man that helped you and your family heal.  I have never been in an abusive situation and can not imagine what it would be like.

    Anita, I hope your husband finds a job soon, sounds like he will not have any trouble.  I have to wait until I am through with radiation before I can have my port out.  I don't know why they are making me wait, but that is life I guess.

    Hope all is going well for everyone.  Each day that passes is one day closer to being through. 

    Juannelle

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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited January 2010

    SNUZIQ

    YEH for you, another lady done with chemo .

    WOW I'm starting to get excited in two weeks i will be celebrating as well ,good luck with the SEs i really hope they are gentle on you ill wave my magic wand on you ok.

    ANITA good wishes to your husband  ill wave my wand on him as well so the best job ever comes up yeh

    I hope all the others who have just had their cocktails are doing ok ive been thinking about you guys constantly

    PRINCESS JOJO

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited January 2010

    Snuziq~ woo HOO congrats on finishing CHEMO !

    :)

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2010

    Marie, yippy skippy no nausea for you.

    Anita, glad you hear you can get your port out, I know how happy you are...I get my PICC out next week...YES....Luck to your hubby on finding a job.

    Snuziq, WHAHOO to you....congrats on finishing chemo.Kiss

    Jojo,  I had to read your post twice...at first I thought you were telling a joke...then I thought,"I think this is our princess..", I laughed and felt sad all at the same time...I hope you are ok...but the big question from me is...how was your fabulous $160 bag?  I'm like you, I can fall over my shadow...good for you to pick your self up and laugh...what the hell.  You are one tough lady.  Life has not been a walk in the park for you.  To come out of two crappy marriages, and to find such a wonderful and supportive husband is wonderful.  I think that it is the unfortunate things in life that shape you..You could say "oh poor me, why me, why is this happening?", or you can say' Oh well, this happened, it sucks, but I am now a stronger, better person for it"  You have to take what life gives you and learn from it..I can see that you did that..You are STRONG...

    Well ladies only 7 more days to go for me...not that I am counting..

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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited January 2010

    HEY MICHELE

    Yep your so right, the things that life throw your way you can either crumble and not get back on your feet or, you can either do the 3 Gs and learn a lot from it  and make sure you come out of it a better person and not a twisted mean spirited one .And my bag was the first thing i checked lol and its fine, i have never spent that much on a bag in my life , i would rather fill up the freezer thats why the bag is so precious .

    7 more sleeps for you , this is your last one to ah , then over the finishing line for you and onto the other side yeh for shell.

    Hope everyone is holding up OK my thoughts are all ways on you guys Ive been having good days and been making the most of them, seeing onco today ill be chatting to him about my achy groin which is still around, then I'm having a weekend with my sister ,she house sits and its a house in the city in Sydney so it should be nice a change of scenery and no it wont be a wild weekend, we are  both the kind of girls that like to be in their P,Js by 7.30 pm with a nice cup of tea and bed by 9.30 pm yeh way to go !!!!!!!!!!!

    Love to all

    PRINCESS JOJO

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  • lainieo
    lainieo Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2010

    Hi Mary,

    Just finished Chemo # 5. I more to go. Feeling a bit queasy, but not too bad.

    Good wishes to all.

    Lainie

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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited January 2010

    Just found a great forum its called BRA SWAP SITE I thought it was such a great idea.

    LAINIE

    Hope SEs are gentle on you .One more to go aswell yeh .

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited January 2010

    SnuziQ, hooray on your last chemo!!!  and lainieo, glad you're feeling relatively ok after your 5th chemo.  Princess JoJo, hope you're healing after your fall - make sure you keep those wounds clean, you don't want an infection!

    Jojo, your story sounds so familiar.  I was also married to an abusive man for 7 years, and found the strength to leave him and protect myself and my girls.  It just goes to show how very strong and resilient we are, important characteristics in this fight against BC.  All of us find strength we never knew we had.

    Well, I've got homework to do, but I want everyone to know that I'm thinking good thoughts for you all!  Much love,

    Shelby 

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited January 2010

    Thinking of you all that are finishing up chemo with me this week and next - it is a relief but also a bit scary.  What comes next?

    Anyone else got chia pet hair growing on thier heads? Seriously the hair is so long that it is now laying flat on the top of my head!

    No sign of hair regrowing anywhere else: eyebrows, eyelashes, or on my body, just this strange "fur" growing on my head!

    I might actually need a hair cut soon!

    JoJo - thanks for sharing your story with us.  I too was married before - nothing abusive - it just turned out that we were more friends than lovers and it fizzled out.  Now I am a trophy wife to hubby #2 (I am his #2 wife as well) but with the way things are going now it turns out the trophy was obviiously NOT for first place!

    Hugs to all! 

    Marie

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2010

    Well ladies...I met with my rad onc.  I will need 35 txs.  I guess I am ready to begin.  I have my appt for simulation on Tuesday. 

    Anita

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  • jeanl151
    jeanl151 Member Posts: 146
    edited January 2010

    You girls are amazing with sharing your stories.  We all do come with history don't we?  Now BC is the newest bump in the road. I have always been the type to just deal with what ever is in front of me....no looking back and feeling sorry for myself.  My life even with BC is in a good place. My husband and kids are good, I have good friends and a job and coworkers I care about and who have supported me throughtout this new ordeal.

       I just finished #5 treatment this week,   one more smiley face for me!!!!   Just feeling fatigue and nausea but I am sure it will be gone in a few days.

    take care ladies, you are all amazing, Jean

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    MarieK,

    When did you finish chemo? So envious that you are already growing hair!

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited January 2010

    Onty - I finished my last chemo on Tuesday of this week but I noticed that my hair was growing a few weeks ago.  My family thought I was nuts because I said that I could feel the wind through my hair when I walked around the house topless and I could see that it was touching the tips of my ears.

    But now everyone agrees - my hair is growing!  What is up with that?

    It's very light - clear peach fuzzy hair - but it's hair! 

    I would say that it has grown 1/4 inch in the last few weeks - I had it buzzed off last October just after my first chemo treatment (not a clean bald shave just a very short 1/8 inch stubble cut).

    I tell you it is laying flat now and if I can get a good photo I will attach it to a post so you can all "admire" my baby chick fuzz that is coming in! 

     If this keeps up I'll be looking like Albert Einstein by the summer!

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  • one-L
    one-L Member Posts: 1,110
    edited January 2010

    Marie, I have peach fuzz on my head.  It is so light you can hardly see it, but you can feel it.  I am hoping it will  stay in, since I am 4 weeks post last tx.  It will still be a long time before I will have a full head of hair.  I am so ready.

    I have also been married twice.  I was 18 when I first married, didn't love him, just thought it was the thing to do.   I was raised to think that I would never have to work, just get married and have children and you really didn't marry for love.  What a mistake that was.  I stayed with my first husband 6 weeks, then we had a fight one night, I left and never went back.  He never called to check on me and I didn't call him.  It was just over.  It was a marriage neither one of us wanted.  In fact, I found out later, that he didn't really like girls all that much anyway, he really liked boys.  What he was doing with me was trying to get  himself a normal life, so he could get job promotions.  I was so stupid, but in the long run, it really didn't hurt me and it certainly made me stronger.   I can look back on it now and laugh. lol  I have been with husband #2 for 37 years, so I guess you can say it worked out.

    Hoping for a restful weekend for everyone.

    Juannelle

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