Starting Chemo February 2009?

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited March 2010

    thanks so much guys.. it's like starting all over...knowing I'll actually get a hairdo and such

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2010

    I just knew you would be fine. Still smiling.....

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  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited March 2010

    Apple, i am soooo happy for you!  what a great relief and wonderful news!

    Kim, I hope you get well soon.  Here in Michigan our snow is melted now, but no gardening here until May either, lol. 

    Cheryl:  glad to hear that your test was good, too!  hope that Rosa is doing ok....

    Jaimie:  julia is ok, we have day after day of doctor appts, follow ups from the hospital.  Today was colon--rectal surgeon, tomorrow is cardiologist, monday is vascular surgeon, tuesday is hemotologist, and we still have to schedule the pulmonary doc and gastro.  whew!  oh well, hopefully they'll get her better soon.  this new hospital is so much better than where we were.

    Ok, I'm off to mosaic my guitar for a while.  sooo tired, so won't last long.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited March 2010

    tomorrow is a new day..

    i feel almost bad, being so happy yesterday (and today) while many suffer.    so much fear, anxiety.. yech.

    off to pack and such.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2010

    You know, you have done your fair share of suffering too. Enjoy this with no guilt! You have every reason to.

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited March 2010

    I think it is called "survivor's guilt".  apple~ I understand where you are coming from... but *we've* all been given a wake up call and a second chance to live life *in this moment*.  I don't think that G-d wants us to feel guilty, He wants us to use our time *wisely*.  JMHO.

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  • living4today
    living4today Member Posts: 215
    edited March 2010

    Great advice Michele! 

    So the drains have slowed down if all goes well, I will be drain free tomorrow!!  Thanks all!

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited March 2010

    living4today

    drainless is the best.  I had one of mine in for 5 weeks.. finally the surgeon said, it's coming out and he gave a yank.. it is so freeing.

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited March 2010

    Michele~ Great advice!! 

    Kim~ I hope you are drain free as of today.  They are really easy to take out....lol....  I can give you instructions...lol.... 

    Apple I have to check out your blog and see how your house is coming along.  I wished we lived close as we need some work done :(  Our basement last Wednesday flooded due to a drain tile in the wall overflowing...grrrr...  Not exactly where we wanted to spend the $ at but we have to fix it. 

    In really great new for the first time in almost a year and a half I got the go ahead to go to the gym and work out any way that I would like :)  Now I have to rejoing the gym...lol.... and I can start running.  I am so happy and of course I was going to go out today and it is raining :(  So I went to the mall and did some speedwalking until I get things in place.  So I need to enjoy the next month and a half until I am told no exercise for a little bit of time. 

    J-Lo gets drained this afternoon so I will be having another interesting procedure that I could have done without.....

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited March 2010

    Hi fellow furies! I have a question for you. Rosa expressed a need for emotional support. Would it be ok to let her chat with.us until she can find other sources of support?

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2010

    Yep, good with me!

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited March 2010

    absolutely

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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited March 2010

    Great post, Michele.  Thank you.

    Cheryl ~ Rosa is more than welcome here.  

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited March 2010

    Absolutely!  I always welcome people and you all know I love to rattle....

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  • sea_of_luck
    sea_of_luck Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2010

    well i see that everyone is really welcoming for me though my tough time. let me introdouce myself,  I'm Rosa. I got my diagnoses of a High Grade undifferentiated carcinoma  that was closely related to a hypercalcemic small cell carcinoma in my right overary. as u can see it's a pretty difficult case to begin with. I start chemo on the 22nd of this month and i'm pretty nervous. I don't really know what to expect besides loosing my hair. It's three different medications, one is a pill and two is going to be IV. I'm horrible with names let alone numbers. So for those who have started chemo can i please get some feed back on what to expect besides hairloss. i'm just wishing the best.

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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited March 2010

    Hello, Rosa!  Welcome to our chemo group, the club nobody wants to join! Wink 

    Of course you're nervous!  Chemo is scary, but just remind yourself that it's going into your body on a search and destroy mission.  It's going to hunt down and kill those cancer cells.

    For me, the main thing was staying hydrated.  Drinking lots of water and/or Propel seemed to keep down the nausea.  Hard candy helped, too.  When my appetite went away and my mouth felt all weird, I found that I liked Popsicles, kosher pickles, and applesauce.  (Not all at once, though, lol!) 

    Get as much rest as you can.  Take any anti-nausea meds BEFORE you need them.  If your chemo meds list constipation as a side effect, take something like Colace, Sennokot, or Milk of Magnesia; I think most of us here would do that the day before and day of treatment.

    Chemo isn't easy, but it is doable.  You're not alone.

    Hugs and best wishes,
    Artemis

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited March 2010

    hiRosa.

    thanks for joining us.  you'll make it.  I like the way you spell H'burg.. it sounds special

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited March 2010

    Hey, should we tell her about chemo farts? She would be interestred in that! Lol

    Rosa wanted me to tell you all she is not 19, she is 20!

    I think my bone pain is getting better. I was able to walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes the other day and I did not have much pain since! I really hope the worst is past as far as that.

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  • living4today
    living4today Member Posts: 215
    edited March 2010

    Hey Rosa,

    Welcome to the most wonderful group of supportive women in the world!--sorry you had to join our group--but please know you have a group of mama's cheering you on! 

    Cheryl--great job on the 20 minutes--remember last year when we were just dreaming of walking :)

    Got the ol' drains out today--my ps and hubby were both in tears as the one drain was stuck and the ps had to pull really hard and for a long while as one drain was being really stubborn.  So now, just have a few more days all wrapped up and my "new girls" will be able to meet the world!

    Did any of you catch What Not to Wear tonight?  There was a breast cancer survivor who had a mastectomy w/out reconstruction--what an inspiration!

    Thanks all!

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  • sea_of_luck
    sea_of_luck Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2010

    living for today-  well i saw the preview for it while in the  hospital and really wanted to see it but now since i'm home i dont have luxiourios cable.

    to the rest of u all-  thanks for all the advice and support. just woke up from my  longest nap ever and now i  have to go back to bed to sleep. i wen ton a 2 hour walk early yesterday at walmart and my legs feel like twizzlers. i'm trying to concour stairs.everytime i lift my legs so high i get a sharp pain in the middle of my butt cheeks. Embarassed i guess 20 days of not really excersing can do alot to a person. two staples have came out and my belly itches. itching=healing i'm having a hard time regulating my body temp. right now my apartment is 64 degrees and im in shorts with a box of cleanexes.   hotflashes=me stinky

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2010

    Welcome Rosa - I am so sorry you have had to join our ranks, but you are in with the best group of women you could imagine. And we have seen it all - hot flashes, chemo farts, puking, the lot. I've had my Ovaries out too (prophylactically) and the hot flashes do calm down a bit - well, you get used to them anyhow.

    Chemo is going to be no fun, but you will get through it. We all picked up tips as we went along, so if you have any questions, just ask. The first round is pretty intimidating, getting hooked up for the first time, etc, but you do get used to it, and everyone in the clinic will do as much as they can to make it as easy for you as possible.

    In the mean time, rest up and recover from Surgery, and try and do some nice things for yourself as well. 

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2010

    Kim - fantastic news getting your drains out - oh, I cringed at the one stuck drain. ouch. You will be so happy with your new "girls", I am jealous! wish i had seen that What Not To Wear, I am going to see if I can find it online.

    Cheryl - so happy your pain has gone.

    Well, it is windy and rainy here. Just been out for a walk/run - my aim for the summer is to be able to run 5km without stopping! 

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  • living4today
    living4today Member Posts: 215
    edited March 2010

    Kerry--great job on the exercise!  I had a goal to run a 5K at the local breast cancer race on Mother's day--but no "jiggling" for six weeks, so not going to make that goal.  I am in training to walk a 3k instead.  Susan B Kommen will be having their 5K run on 10-10-10, so am going to train for that race!

    Mantra for today:  Clouds, clouds, go away--us girls want to go out and play!

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited March 2010

    NOOO!!! I spoke too soon! It is one thing to walk for 20 minutes; quite another to be walking for 3 1/2 hours like I just did at work! My knees are aching so bad! I am so frustrated I want to cry!

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited March 2010

    Welcome Rosa.  I didn't have the constipation during chemo I had the opposite and when I had to go it meant NOW.  I also became anemic which makes you weak, winded, tired and just plane sad looking BUT I was able to get a transfusion to get thru it.  After your first chemo you will get an idea of how things are going to go.  If the anti-naus. med's do not work demand others that is my best advice because it will make you feel like a new person. 

    Cheryl~ Sounds silly but have you tried claritin for the bone pain ??

    Kim~ Glad the drains are out but I am sorry to hear about the pain the drain caused..  How long do you have to stay wrapped up ??

    Okay Cheryl's comment about Chemo. farts reminded me of what my 4 year old said to me the other day.  He said Mom when you had long hair you didn't fart and now you do just like me and daddy...with the biggest grin on his face :).  I have no idea what is wrong with my system but I am a stinky mess recently.  I think that it maybe my clodronate because I am also out of control with the burping.. :(

    So I make the appt. with my PS and then I go yesterday and she was only able to get 10cc's out.  She thinks that my body is starting to absorb the fluid and close the pockets and she could only get to one seroma.  So now I have to where the compression garment until next Friday and then I need to try and go without it :) 

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  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited March 2010

    Rosa:  welcome : )   I agree with the keeping hydrated, I drank alot of water with lemon in it during chemo.  For a while the only thing I could stomach was chocolate shakes, scrambled eggs, toast.  Coffee, which I loved, started making me nauseous (thank god that passed, lol).  There is a thread with a list of helpful ideas that is pinned to the top of the chemo forum, definitely look at that. 

    Cheryl:  oh no!  I don't remember, do your docs know exactly what is causing your pain?  I do hope you get some help with this, i still have aches and know how frustrating it is.  It would be nice to just feel like our old selves again, at least with our bodies...

    Jaimie;  yes, the gas problem does tend to persist, doesn't it?  Drives me crazy, lol. 

    I have 2 medical issues I've noticed...the first thing is that my hot flashes seem to have gone away...could this mean my period will come back???  and now I'm cold all the time, go figure.

    The other thing is that I definitely think I have lymphedema.  My arm was in sooo much pain this morning, only slight swelling.  I am still in bed elevating it.  I need to find out if my insurance will cover therapy for this.  I hope so.

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited March 2010

    hi Rosa!! I had to take senekot-s everyday.  I never had constipation issues before chemo.  I was really uncomfortable during chemo.  I still have some issues.

    Cheryl~ Being on your feet all day has to be hard.  Take a hot bath.  relax.  thinknig of you.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited March 2010

    random thoughts and notes.

    i found that chemo was very constipating (as was surgery).

    i haven't tried senokat but literally became hooked on prune juice, which happens to be delish, if not gas producing.

    i kind of got kicked off the stage IV forum for paying a compliment, (what's up with that?.. I've always kind of considered myself that stage even tho i am on the precipice before tumbling).

    I am having some major family issues with my siblings.  My little brother, age 44 has been diagnosed with stage III lymphoma.. actually it's manageable and certainly not immediately life threatening.  My sis now, who has a long history of eating disorders, alchoholism and substance abuse (she's been 'clean for about 12 years now) .. has to have a hopefully benign TENNIS BALL sized tumor removed from her liver, as well as her gall bladder.  She is absolutely terrified.  I feel soo bad for her and pray they do not find that it is cancerous.  Sooo,  that;s coming up and I of course want to support the both of them as much as possible.  We also have a brother who has been treated for leukemia.. (we're a mess).

    I am packing now, we have more stuff crammed into our house ..... it's absurd.  My husband seems great value in every little thing.. his 'hoarding' has been a contributing factor to his success so I can't really make him get rid of anything.

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited March 2010

    Sorry Apple that you feel you got booted off for a compliment :(  I hope you Sis just has a B-9 tennis ball since all the abuse she has put her body thru.  I hope your brother is doing okay.  Happy packing...

    So I got the go ahead to start doing any kind of exercise that I would like as of last week and I have been out running the last 2 days.  Okay I really should call it walking fast and trying to control my breathing but I am calling it running...lol....  Next up I am going to add some weights, push ups and sit ups to get back some of my pre-chemo muscle. 

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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited March 2010

    xpectmiracles ~ Good to hear that your bone pain is better.  I believe walking would help mine, too, but I get terrible leg cramps when I do much walking.  I'm thinking of taking some potassium supplements to see if it will help with the cramps.  Oh heck, your work shift made the pain bad again?!  Oh no!!  I'm so sorry!!!

    living4today ~ Hurrah for having the drains out!!!  That "What Not To Wear" sounds great; I'll have to see it somewhere online or watch out for the TV rerun.  Thanks for telling us.

    Judy ~ my hot flashes stopped for a couple of weeks, but now they're back full force.  Have you been to the lymphedema section of the board?  Binney, kira and several other sisters there are soooooooooo knowledgeable, helpful and kind.

    apple ~ I'm glad your brother's lymphoma is manageble, and I pray your sister's liver problem is benign.  Mega congratulations to her for 12 years of sobriety!

    I went to the UGA gym meet yesterday.  It was the final home meet of the season, and we won which was cool since we were upset Friday night at MICHIGAN...(you hear me, Judy?  lol)  I do love me some gymnastics!

    Have a great day, Furies!

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