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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Janis, Janet, Barbara

    Thank you for the support! I personally find these boards as a best support group I've ever seen.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010
    Hi all,

    We had a meeting with the onc yesterday. The flu is going away, but very, VERY slowly.

    The blood count is excellent, the cough is flu-like, not metastatic and the fever Olga had couple of days ago seems to be caused by flu and not liver.

    The second cycle of Xeloda came to an end on Tuesday and Olga's palms and feet became pink, the onc said this is really not bad and prescribed the same dosage. If this will worsen, then he'll lower the dose.

    We insisted on Zometa instead of Aredia and convinced him. So now we only wait for the call from the clinic.

    And the overall feeling is very good comparing to three weeks ago. The flu is going away, the bone-muscle pain is almost gone (occasionally comes back, but one pill of Advil per two days is nothing). Even the fatigue seems to lessen.The recent days are unbelievable, she suddenly has so much energy, after two months of being nearly a wreck.

    Next set of scans is in February. Then we'll know if the Xeloda is doing the work.

    Ah... And the onc and the radiologist gave their OK to go skiing. Though, carefully. :)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    BTW, a visit to the social worker at the hospital was just a waste of time. For the middle class families there's no much aid in anything.

    The upper class doesn't care and the poor are covered by different programs. I don't talk specifically about money but would like to see some logistical help, like limited housework support or something like that.I don't wish to be on the poor side in any case though...

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  • BMac
    BMac Member Posts: 650
    edited January 2010

    Yan, I read about a housework program where "they" will come in once a month I think and clean the house for someone going through cancer.  I can't remember the name of the company but it's worth looking into.  Unfortunately it wasn't around when I had ovarian cancer and I heard about it too late with the breast cancer.  If I find out what it's called I'll let you know.  You shouldn't have to worry about things like that at a time like this.

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  • BMac
    BMac Member Posts: 650
    edited January 2010

    Okay, it's Cleaningforareason.org.  You click on Cancer Patients and it explains how to apply.  Good luck.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Thanks Barbara! I will definitely look into this.

    Yan.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Yan, so happy to hear Olga is doing well.  I was on Xeloda for six months on the highest strength (can't remember what that was now).  Anyway, I used Udder Balm (can't remember the name of that either..geez!).  Anyway, I globbed that stuff on my feet and hands more than once a day.  I put socks on so I wouldn't get it everywhere.  I don't know if that's what kept me from having big problems, but I never had any peeling.  My palms and feet were a bit pink, but that's all.

    I think of you and your wife often.  Oh, and I saw the picture of you and your family on the picture thread.  You have a gorgeous family!

    Take good care and we're always waiting to hear form you.  Give Olga a hug from us.

    Shirley

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Hi Shirley,

    The cream is Udderly Smooth and we use that a few times each day. I also ordered couple of dozens of archival gloves for her.

    Thanks for thinking of us. I gave her a hug from you and she said that feels good :)

    Take care,

    Yan

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Well, I hope that cream really helps.  It sure does make your skin soft.  And I see you're taking good care of Olga.  Good!

    Shirley

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    The redness disappeared during the break between cycles. Tomorrow is a third one. Vit D blood test came back. The nurse didn't tell the number, but said it was perfect.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010
    Olga got the first IV of Zometa last night. Tonight she's feeling very bad, with headache, flu-like simptoms and nausea... Hope she'll be better tomorrow.

    She's caught a cold also and coughing. She's so weak and I can do nothing :((

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  • BMac
    BMac Member Posts: 650
    edited February 2010

    You're doing so much just by being there and being the wonderful supportive husband that you are.  Olga is blessed to have you.  Here's hoping that she will feel better soon.

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  • juliehere
    juliehere Member Posts: 50
    edited February 2010

    I was just diagnosed with same as your wife.  Mets throughout lymph nodes.  Just wondering, did you have the her2 status checked.  Because mind changed from her2- to her2+.  I am starting chemo today, TCH.  Best wishes to you.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Thanks, Barbara.

    Julie,

    No, they didn't check the HER2 status. But I planned to ask for that anyway. Because if that happens to become HER2+ it's a different treatment. Best wishes to you too.

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  • Judiiiii
    Judiiiii Member Posts: 418
    edited February 2010

    Juliehere, Might I ask *how* you had your Her2 status checked when you found that it had changed to positive? 

    Thanks much and best wishes!    Judi

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Yan, sorry Olga is feeling so ill.  Give her some chicken soup.  Or broth.  I heard Zometa can make you feel bad, but perhaps after a few infusions the side effects will either get better or disappear.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Advil is working no more... Arthrotec isn't working either. She can't sleep, she's restless, she's in pain. Ativan can make her sleep for an hour, no more.

    Family physician prescribed ratio-Oxycocet. Radiation, here we come.

    Hell...

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    And the most scary thing now... I suspect the Xeloda is not working (I don't tell her that though). The scans are next week.

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited February 2010

    I am so sorry she's in so much pain. I continue to pray for her.

    Hope for good news on the scans.

    Leah

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  • 3katz
    3katz Member Posts: 1,264
    edited February 2010

    Yan - I've been following this thread - I'm so sorry Olga isn't doing well. Remember oral chemo takes a little longer to show results than IV chemo so don't write off the Xeloda yet. I certainly hope it IS working for her since that doesn't have as bad of SEs that other chemos do. The opiate pain relievers really do work wonders. Oxycontin is long lasting and percocet is fast acting for breakthrough pain.

    Has she tried sleeping with a pillow under her knees? It relieve pressure on the hips and lower back.

    Also remember having a cold, flu, whatever illness may take longer to heal. That may be causing a lot of problems too - at least I hope that is all it is. If nothing else works and it is the lesions causing the pain, radiation really does help.

    I hope the scan results are good. Please keep us posted. I'm thinking of you both.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Thanks, ladies.

    We spent most of the day in the hospital, the rads are to begin tomorrow pm, for 5 days. This should take away the pain from the lower spine. She's taken the Oxycocet and is sleeping peacefully, finally. I think I'll sleep on the couch tonight, don't want to accidentally wake her up...

    Take care,

    Yan

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Yan, I'm so sorry to hear that Olga is still having problems.  I hope the rads do the trick.  I was hoping it was the Zometa. 

    Hang in their, Yan, and give Olga a gentle hug.  I think of you two often.

    Shirley

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  • juliehere
    juliehere Member Posts: 50
    edited February 2010

    I had a biopsy to the lymph nodes, and it revealed status change from her2- er/pr+ to her2+ er/pr-.

    I just started TCH treatment last week. 

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  • tapril
    tapril Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2010

    Yan, 

    I was just searching for info on my own possible mets and stumbled upon your posts. My heart goes out to you and your wife and boys.We are dealing with similar fears,hopes and dreams for all of our futures. I am 35 with 2 boys and live in Guelph ,on. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone, though it may seem that way often. Keep faith. 

    Tara 

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  • kittycat
    kittycat Member Posts: 2,144
    edited March 2010

    Sorry to hear about your wife.  How is she doing? 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    kittycat, thanks.

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topic/748481 

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  • staystrongthrougheverything
    staystrongthrougheverything Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2010

    Hi there,

             I myself got told in 2008 i had advanced invasive ductal carcinoma,so advanced breast cancer,i got the same two chemo's as your wife did,plus a little longer radio,mine spread to the nodes near my collar bone, but after all my treatment i was told also i was in remission unoffically.

    For months now i havnt been so well,an gp's have said it was nothing,till two lumps came up in my collar bone area,i have now been told its secondary breast cancer,im a mother of four kids all under 10,so i totally understand where your coming from,plus im due to get married.

    My nurse tells me even though i have had a clear ct,clear bone scan also my outlook is grim,but im not willing to take that as gospal,i will fight,an try everything medication natural or other to get rid of this or halt it.

    So i ask you both please keep hold of that fighting attitude,it got your wife through the first time,why couldnt it now.

    Im being given now Herceptin an a oral chemo med which right now i forget the name of, but if anyone is interested,i shall post name later.

    Everyone going through secondary cancer,i wish you all the best,while i wish for myself i shall wish for you all to,but keep hold of all that fighting spirit an never be afaid to cry,as i truely think keeping that locked up can just make it harder for your body to fight.

    All my love an best wishes to you both.

    Vinny

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    Vinny, I just saw you post.  How dare the nurse tell you such a thing.  I think that having the scans clean gives you more hope.  You keep that fighting spirit.  And big hugs to you.

    Shirley

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    Hi Vinny,

    Sorry I missed your post. I think the nurse is a complete idiot, sorry for the expression...

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  • staystrongthrougheverything
    staystrongthrougheverything Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2010

    Thankyou to you both for your well wishes,leprechaun,i hope your wife is handling things well an your both able to have lots of fun times together.

    I just got my head scan back clear also,so im incredibly happy today,even if i didnt sleep cos of the stupid lumps causing pain in my back an neck,who cares., my heads clear wooooo lol.

    Take care everyone ,an keep smiling its the best medication ever.

    Love an best wishes,an huge hugs,Vinny

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