Starting Chemo in June 2005

Hey girls, I've sent a PM to the owner of NED's picture and asked for a post of him in here. We'll see. If you want a sneak peak, go to the Moving Beyond Cancer thread and look at the "dumb question-NED" post.
Smiles and hugs!
~Mindy~

I just viewed NED. I think I'm in love and I'd like to take him everywhere I go. I wonder what DH would think about that??

Dana - I had headaches when I was on Taxol also. The pharmacist that mixed my chemo said that I could take Sudafed. It seemed to help me, you might ask about that.

BrendaF - I hear ya, I had a lot of Oreo's also, it was the only thing besides cesear salad that tasted good to me.

JoMac - I have had runny eyes also, that are kind of milky, I am going to get to eye drops and try them also.

I have thought about a "End of Chemo Party" also, but I have decided to get a pink ribbon tatoo at the end of everything. I have NEVER wanted a tatoo in my life, but I believe that I will have earned every part.

No Surrender - I also will not read the other posts.

Take care ladies

Well, first taxotere took longer than anticipated. I was there for over 4 hours! They ran the drip very slow because it was the first one and they wanted to check reactions carefully. The nurse told me to take Advil before bed tomorrow night even if I don't have any joint pain and asked if I had any other pain meds. I told her I have some percocet and darvocet left over from mastectomy and port surgery and she told me I could take them if I need them. Felt a little tired after chemo, but I think that was more from not sleeping last night.

Hurricane is hitting...went to work after chemo and when I got home the power was out, so I took a nice nap. We have power back now and it seems worst of weather will hit south of us. We've had wind and heavy rain...by the way...wigs don't look good after being in a downpour! I think I will start carrying a spare or a hat with me in case I get soaked again!

Infusion itself was uneventful and boring. No side effects yet. Will see what happens after Neulasta shot tomorrow. The nurse was telling me that during the hurricane last year, they lost power. My doctor and the head chemo nurse came in to get the refrigerated medicines to bring to the nurse's house as she has a generator. They ended up giving out shots in the parking lot. I personally think a drive through shot window would be great...just stick your arm out of the car, get shot and keep going!

Liz

Jenster - I haven't decided yet where this "Badge of Honor" will be placed. My nephew is a tatoo artist and I am going to give him the honors. My friend and I are also going to make a day of it. She is going to get one also.
I have to have a mast at Halloween and then follow with radiation around thanksgiving so I will be having it done after. When will you be having yours done? You go girl!!

LizFl - That is great about your cruise! My mom and I were going to go on a cruise in May this year, but... We are planning to go next year in May. I do income taxes, so as soon as that is over we will go. Have a great time!!

Take care Junies!

I'm getting ready to go for my #1 taxotere. I don't go until 12:00! I hope it doesn't go so slow for me. I don't like the idea of my daughter being home alone after school for that long. Oh, the anxiety of it all...

Liz - I love the idea of the drive-through shot. And I especially love the idea of the cruise. You sooooo deserve that and the wonderful time you'll have!!

Minerva - I had my mast in May and I have my last chemo on Oct. 27. No rads for me. So I'm thinking late November or early December for my tat - after my blood count is good and strong.

Hilde - thank you for sharing your NED. You are so very generous. And baby, can I handle it... him... it... whatever!!

Hi Junesters!
Well, I have started back to work - yay! Lots of meetings to start with, but that helps to ease back into things while I try to build up some stamina.

I have gotten past the Taxol/Neulasta pain - hand me the Lortab, PLEASE! I had to sit in a meeting all day on Tuesday, and that night I had sharp pain all up my back and into my skull. It hit all of a sudden as soon as I lay down, and I was so surprised by it that I started crying. I think it was part pain, part emotional. I just boo-hooed until the Lortab kicked in. At least I know what to expect the next go-round!

Still have a runny nose, sore tongue, numb fingers and feet, but I'll take the Taxol over the AC any day! oh yeah, chocolate has lost its flavor...

Thanks for checking up on me Dana, I didn't realize how fast time was going by since I posted last! It's good to see how everyone is doing, and I'm so glad we all have this place to come to and share how things are going!

P.S. I'm going to have to get to know NED a little better! Thanks for introducing him!

YIPPEE!!!! Taxol #1 down...no nausea. The onc said I'd feel like I hit a brick wall...he was right. BUT, NO NAUSEA!

It's weird reading my body and the aches and pains. The pain started in my neck and shoulders. Today, 3 days after treatment, it's working it's way down to my legs. I don't know where it's going when it hits my feet.

I've been thinking how nice it is to be more than half way done. We are going to make it through this.

I love the idea of the tattoo...but I'm too chicken. I'll just have to settle for a blue, lop-sided boob.

I just hope the next 3 treatments go by as fast as the first ones. Looking forward to 'normal' again.

I'm still waiting on some food to start tasting better again. I can smell coffee, and it smells so good. Chocolate doesn't taste good to me, either. There are days I feel like I'm just going through the motions of chewing and swallowing. Knowing deep down, it MUST taste good.

Here's to a great weekend!

Well, I had been wanting to get to know NED sight unseen, but WOW! I wonder if I could get him to go on my cruise with me!

NS, I could probably think of something special, but don't think this is an "X" rated board! You have been hiding him for four years!

At my age and with all the women competing for him, I guess I could offer to be a "MOM" figure to him. I just want to get to meet him!

Liz

Nancy - Sorry to hear about all your pain. I hope it will get better as time goes on. It's good to see you posting.

Jenster - I hope that all goes well for you as you finish your chemo. I pray that your blood counts are terrific after treatments so that you can get your "Badge of Honor" on schedule. Maybe someday we can share pictures.

Hilde - What a hottie!! I can't wait to meet him.

LizFl - Even with all the competition for NED, I am sure he would squeeze you in...

I go for FEC#2 on Monday. I am a little nervous. #1 was not to bad, except for the nausea. Onc prescribed compezine for me and it helped. I am going to start it on monday afternoon and head the naseau off at the pass. The FEC has been a lot easier than Taxol for me.
I can't wait until I post that I have completed #4.

Good luck to those who have treatments next week, and yippy to those who finish.
Bye Bye

I'm spending the day chasing side effects. The steroids have me wired but I did manage to nap this morning. I have constipation and of course the sticky eye thing.
But despite all that I got some chores done, and think I will paint a bit if my eyes cooperate.
I vacumned the whole house. I haven't done that since March.
(My husband has been doing it) .so I guess my overall energy level is getting better. My mood certaintly is. I seem to have gotten more and more normal day by day. I hope this lasts.
I t would be nice to feel some improvement taking place after so many set backs and losses.

Wow, an art show after chemo on Monday, just about did me in. I don't think I would have made it without Greg there to help set up, etc. Just out of juice, you know. I wish that mean onc. would have given me a shot to build up my hemoglobin, I feel like dishwater! Gonna eat steak tonight - mmmm, red meat, blood! Then day two tomorrow!

Congrats on almost being done with chemo!
I"m having a cocktail as we 'speak' lol! My onc and chemo team said drinking was fine during chemo. Of course, as usual, everything in moderation.
I wouldn't imbibe the few days before or after infusion, but other than that, it's okay.

Bottoms up!

My onc also said alcohol in moderation is ok. I used to have a drink (wine or beer) most days, now I find I don't really want one for five or six days after chemo, usually. But if I want one, I have it!

JoMac-I stood at the airport, short, fat, bald, one breasted and now empty nested this AM saying to myself..."I can do this...I can do this" as my youngest left for New York City for his first year of college. I have a feeling the absolute pain in my heart when I got home and saw his room...empty...would hurt as much cancer or not! Of course I will face my new found emptiness with the same as I have my cancer...just another phase in life to overcome and go on with it. I admit I don't know how to handle not having kids at home. But its just the first day and it already seems cleaner!

Watson thank you for calling me and thinking of me today.

Anyone in the huricanes path move! I am praying for you and all of that area.


Pam