Chemo Starting Sep 09
Comments
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What is it with all these lumps we are finding? Perhaps we (and our physicians) are just paying way more attention? I suppose that's a good thing. After being poisoned for 24-weeks, zapped with radioactive rays 28 times and now starved with Femara I can't imagine how cancer could still be living in my breast. I've always had lots of lumps (first lumpectomy at age 18) so I'm confident this new one is just some B9 junk and nothing to worry about. But I'm with you Pamela, it is contemplating the "what ifs" that makes ya crazy.
Ronnie - I hope your "spa" visit went well. LOL.
Pamela - I'm having trouble reconciling Steve-the-masseuse with the Hilljack toilet flower pot. Congrats on saving your MIL. You've still got it girl. Not to worry on the Taxol. For me it was way easier than AC, especially for the first six weeks.
Neece - Whew. Glad everything is a-okay with your step son. Happy wedding!
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
Patty
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Hello SOSisters.....hope this finds everyone doing well on Saturday afternoon. It is hot in NC and everyone is sweating and complaining about the heat. Me, I'm either having my own personal summer or cold. No happy medium for this gal.
Barb0323 - love the new photo and your hair. I am jealous! I am going to post a new picture one of these days but want my hair to look nice and it is taking too long.... I also don't crave sweets anymore but I'm always hungry. How did your fill go?
Neece - so glad your stepson is okay. We just don't need anymore bumps in the road. I love your description of a one woman eating machine. That's me! My clothes just keep getting smaller and smaller.
Pamelajo - you should get a medal for putting up with your MIL! How did her appointment with the doctor go - did she get medicated or you? You should do standup comedy. How you manage to keep such a positive outlook and keep us all amused with so much on your plate is beyond me. How did your treatment go and how are you feeling?
BarbAnne41 - we so need to hurry up with our pill. Went in Chico's today to buy clothes so I could tell saleslady I was a size 3! I'm also off sweets but can still find plenty to eat. I'm going to Penny's and get one of the pillows, it sounds heavenly.
Catherine - glad your well and your babies are home from school. My hair is not as red as it was but still not brunette either. Go for retouch in a couple of weeks, don't intend for there to be any red when I come home. Look forward to your new picture.
RonnieKay - I love your new picture and your hair. I am so jealous of all you ladies with these great hairdo's! Between the suggestions from you and Patty I should be able to do something with mine, but it's just a great big ole mess. How did your day at the spa go? I have one of those next month!
Wanda - glad you are feeling better. How is the PT going? My fingers started going numb during chemo and have stayed that way. Then my fingernails all broke off and now I have a heck of a time buttoning shirts, picking things up! My heels have gone numb since I finished chemo, not sure if it is the Herceptin or the Famera.
ChinaBlue - thanks for pointing out the obvious. Water is so good for so many things! Dry eyes, dry skin. My eyes were also watering like crazy when I was doing chemo and drinking lots of water. My skin is like Barb's alligator friend!
Patty - I also have a lump right underneath my scar and a sore spot under my arm. Have had it checked a couple of times and onc assures me lump is scar tissue and sore spot is where lymph nodes came out. Have mammo next month - and yes I will have that little niggling worry until the results come back! But as all our sisters keep telling you - it will be fine!
Stay cool everyone and take care.
Thoughts and prayers are with you!
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MIL was put on a new medication for her "mood swings". We started her on it last night. Knocked her right out. She was docile as a lamb for once. It WAS GREAT!!! That was the perfect ending to crappy day, quite literally. Trail Mix and the MIL do not get along. I took it away from her last Tuesday after she had an accident. Someone gave it back to her Friday, and Saturday..well, let's just say I didn't think my bathroom, and I know I, will never be the same.
The trail mix was thrown away and the DH was told to never buy anymore under penalty of slow agonizing death.
Had a lovely evening out by the fire with adult beverage, friends and roasted weiners. Relaxing! No MIL staring at us out the door cause it's too hot to come outside and she "doesnt want to go to bed" complete with stomping foot. She was thorazined, and snoozing like an old Baptist in the back pew of an overly warm church
We got to bed around 1 a.m. I've missed weekend nights with friends.
Last big chemo was horrible. I thought I'd expire, but God had other plans. Better now. I start Taxol next Friday.
Anyone have any advice for a girl with watery eyes and nose? Clairitin doesn't help..........
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Pamela you are indeed amazing. I hope your massage was wonderful.
I used eye drops for dry eyes when my eyes were dry and when they were watery - sort of helped (a bit). The nose thing I can't help with - that drove me crazy. There was one time I was leaning over the table to set it for dinner - and my nose just ran right ONTO A PLATE! Nothing I could do. I hasten to add I washed the plate but i was so glad no one saw! How embarrasing! My nose continued to run for ages after I finished chemo too...
Good luck with Taxol, I hope your se's are very few.
Glad the meds working for your MIL (and you!)
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I am off to Italy tomorrow!!!! We have been putting off this trip for 10 years. I am so excited. I am at my goal weight. I have a foob so Iook balanced in a Tshirt. I am not bald.
My mom is stable. My brothers in law are taking care of my MIL/FIL. My youngest daughter is at camp. My other daughter is at her internship. My son is home and has promised that he will not have friends over while we are gone (crossing my fingers).
I can't believe this dream is really coming true.
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Yea China...enjoy!!
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We would never be going on this trip if it weren't for bc.
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China- take us along in your tote bag : ) and ENJOY!
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China - Have a wonderful trip. SE of BC: finally taking that trip to Italy. Wahoo!
Patty
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ChinaBlue - are we just a tad jealous of your trip to Italy? Yep... hope you have a wonderful time, we will expect a new photo from there when you get home. Be safe. We all now you deserve it and can't wait to hear details!
Jane
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CHINA: Bon Voyage mon ami!!! Don't know Italian so a little bad French will do
Hope you have way too much Romance, Pasta, Wine, Gelato, Sunshine and Fun!!!! Send us a little tidbit of excitement from an internet cafe!!!! xoxo -
Hi All:
Sorry that I have been MIA, but just trying to maintain at work and at home...plus wrangle granddaughter the last two weekends.
Pamelajo: Have so enjoyed your posts and glad that you are doing something about your MIL...what a crock to have to deal with that and be fighting for your life.
ChinaBlue: So jealous that I can't see straight(!). You will have a wonderful time and enjoy your time away from anything having to do with BC.
msmpatty: Love your hair color!...And BarbaraAnn41!
Had my yearly gyno physical today with the doctor that told me on June 9th of last year that I had breast cancer and that I was going to lose my breast. I asked him if it was his wife would he recommend both and he said yes. I am so glad that I followed his suggestion. He liked my new "do". I have always had red hair, stick straight...now with gel I have little curls...oh and for now I guess my original color with a lot of gray! I am sad to say that my niece from my ex-marriage is going through the same thing and she is not even 40 yet. She has a teen and a 7-year-old. This disease sucks so much...I am sick to death of hot flashes and waking up sweaty and going to bed sweaty. I don't know about the rest of you, but I so flash back to "before" BC and wonder how last summer would've gone had I not been doing doctors, surgery, recovery, chemo, back to work, radiation...just want to be DONE. Sorry for unloading....Hope that everyone has a great rest of the week and a great long weekend. Will check in soon...
Kim
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China- Have a fantastic time. I know what you are saying about things not happening until this BC came along. I am planning a trip with my parents to Las Vegas in Oct. and it would not have happened if not for this disease. We kept saying we would go but kept putting it off. My dad is turning 75 July 8th and he is not getting any younger. The day we leave they will be celebrating their 49th wedding anniversay. You never know what tomorrow will bring. Carpe Diem!!
Kim- Don't be sorry for expressing how your feel. We all have felt the same thing at one time or aother. That's why we are all here for each other.
THINK POSITIVE
Catherine
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China Have GOOD, FUN, GREAT, TIME!
I am just checking in! You know we all look like we have the same hairdo!!!!!
I have 23 more days and I get my TE's OUT!!!!! I will be glad to get these hard rocks off my chest and in the other hand I am glad I was able to do it! ( I just had to get that off my chest hahaha) I start my outside PT next week. Hopefully I will be able to walk without a cane when I get my surgery. If not I guess I will hobble along. It has been a long hard road for all of us.
Take care HUGS Wanda
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Hey SOSisters.... sad day at our house. Took my baby to the vet (13 year old Maltese). He has liver failure and we are going to have him put down. Keeping him home this weekend and will go back on Monday. This hurts so bad, he is a member of the family.
Kim - if you can't vent here where can you vent? Sounds like you have been very busy. How old is the grandaughters? Mine's 12 going on 20! Was there a time before BC, seems so long ago.
Catherine - I love Vegas! We aren't really into gambling but love the shows! And so many things to do that are free. How wonderful to be able to go with your parents. 49 years - wow. We're working on #37.
Wanda - I know we all have the same hairdo. I get mine colored and cut week after next and then will post a new picture. It's it great to have a countdown. I have 4 more Herceptin txts - will be done in Sept. Am I counting down? Absolutely!
Hope everyone is well and staying cool. Take care and post soon.
Thoughts and prayers are with you!
Jane
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Kim - I know exactly what you mean...wishing life had not so abruptly gone awry. But I'm not thinking about the trials and tribulations of last summer...and fall...and winter. I'm just delighted to feel fine and able to have a good time this summer.
Wanda - You are such a trooper. It has been a long road for all us, but for some the road seems even longer...especially you and Pamela. Glad you are getting the TE's off your chest. LOL Good luck on the PT. Maybe you'll dance into your surgery!
Jane - I'm soooo sorry to hear about your baby. There are many hard things in life, but losing a pet is one of the worst. Just remember...knowing when to end his life is part of your job. He's depending on you to do what's right for him. Be strong.
Patty
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Hope everyone has a great 4th of July weekend (even you ladies in other countries)! I'm off to my first Taxol tomorrow morning, then a day of fishin
Cannot wait. -
Taxol has given me the bitchy itchy. MY FACE IS ITCHY!!!! makes me bitchy.
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Hello SOSisters....Happy 4th of July!
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I hope everyone had a Happy 4th! Us down here in FL. had a soggy one and nothing but rain, rain, rain!! I guess we should like cause now the dry season will be upon us!
Pamelajo can you take benadryl??? I hope you have got it taken care of!
HUGG!! Wanda
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Pamelajo - You might also look at your moisturizer and cosmetics. I got itchy arm/leg rashes on Taxol but they went away when I switched lotions from Eucerin to Aveeno.
This is my 3-month anniversary on Femara and so far no major problems. Three months down, 57 to go. Yikes that seems like a long time. How is everyone else doing?
Patty
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Hey SOSisters... well we had to put our sweet dog down on Friday. Wow, talk about something difficult to do. We never realized how much we would miss him.
Pamelajo - hope you are feeling better, I'm with Wanda on the Benadryl. Any other se's? How's MIL doing with the new medication?
Wanda - sorry you had a rainy 4th. It was actually one of our nicest weekends in a while. Has now turned hot again.
Patty - I realized today that (knock on wood), I'm doing better on Femara. Hot flashes are fewer and bone aches are just the occasional one now. I'm afraid to say to much for fear all the se's will come back. I have 3 more Herceptin treatments and then I am through with everything but the pill. Go for my first mammo next week along with annual pap smear. Oh joy! Glad you never had any se's!
To everyone else, we are missing you! Hope everyone is well and just enjoying the summer!
Take care. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jane
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Good Morning Ladies
We had a great 4th of July at the beach the sun was shinning and the water was fantastic. We really enjoyed it. Just think last 4th of July my husband was in intensive care for kidney. Getting my hair colred again tonight. I wonder what color it will turn out this time?
Pamela- I hope you found something for that terrible itching
Jane- I am sorry about your sweet dog. Just remember all the good times you had.
Patty- Keeping my fingers crossed that the femara SE stay away.
THINK POSITIVE
Catherine
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Jane - That's great news on the lessening of the Femara SEs. I keep reading about how effective this drug is in preventing (and even treating) mets and recurrences. It seems that over the long haul Femara is at least as effective as some of the other TXs we've gone through in keeping us healthy. I have to keep reminding myself of this fact...because that little yellow pill just doesn't seem it would be very powerful.
Catherine - Glad you had a warm and sunny 4th. Sounds like it may a little too warm now in New Jersey. Here in San Diego we've had RAIN for two days. Unheard of! I hope your hair turns out well. My second color came out much "richer" looking than the first try.
Pamelajo - I hope the itchiness has gone away! Hang in there and keep ticking off those Taxol weeks.
Patty
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Hello SOSisters... hope everyone is doing well and staying cool. It is very warm in NC.
Pamelajo - went for dr's appt and Herceptin today. Reading chemo magazine said that cornstarch was good for itching. Just a thought for next time - you can tell your hubby it's a new face mask! Hope your se's are getting better!
Catherine - sounds like you had a great 4th. We are headed to Myrtle Beach on Saturday for a few days. It will be crowded and hot, but we always have a good time when we go. Can't wait to get away from ringing phones for a few days. I go for my second try at color next Tuesday, am really hoping it turns out better this time. Can't wait to hear how you made out.
Patty - told dr today se's were better. My fingers and toes are still numb but I'm thinking that's chemo not Famera. Go for mammo next week, have a lump in breast that had lumpectomy, dr said it was hard to tell if it was anything or not. Said not to worry - ha. I'm sure it's probably just fatty tissue or scar tissue. You are so right about our little yellow pill, I know it is suppose to be one of the best to prevent recurrence. How are you doing otherwise?
To everyone else who is on vacation from posting, hope you are doing well
.Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jane
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Jayne - Funny (in an ironic way) I have a new lump in my lumpectomy breast too. My surgeon found it at my follow-up visit a couple weeks ago. I just had a perfectly clean mammo, so she is not too worried, but I'm going for a ultrasound on Monday just to make sure. I guess all these little lumps and changes will be carefully scoped out from here forward!
Patty
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Hey Patty - it certainly doesn't hurt to be ever vigilant about these lumpy breasts. Glad your mammo was clear and that your onc cares enough to send you for an ultrasound. Know it will be fine, but I will say a prayer for you! If you are like me, you probably don't know if it's really a lump or scar tissue. I am so thankful for my wonderful care.
Jane
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Went to the Dr Tuesday due to some pain and swelling at the infusion sight, dizziness, achey, confused.
He says it's the taxol and i'm suffering from exhaustion.
MIL is gone. Dennis put her in a mental ward because it was killing me.
Still can't sleep. Have to take sleeping pills.
Dr is going to change me from Taxol to Abraxane, less side effects.
ugh. I'm slowly giving up.
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Pamelajo - Of course you are exhausted! A perfectly healthy person who is not on chemo would be completely exhausted by having to deal a difficult MIL who needs so much care. It is just crazy that you had to take her on while doing chemo. I understand that Abraxane is basically the same thing as Taxol, only in a different base that is easier to tolerate. It is such an effective treatment. I know it will work for you. Don't give up...give in! Take the sleeping pills, take the Ativan and rest, rest, rest.
I'm pulling for you on this end.
Patty
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Hello SOSisters....
Pamelajo- you hang in there Princess Warrior. You aren't giving up, your just exhausted. You need to rest. Maybe now that MIL is gone you will get the rest and peace you deserve. Chemo is exhausting in and of itself and you have had way too much to contend with! We're all praying for you and sending you restful vibes!
Patty - looks like we are the only ones checking in frequently. Is everyone having more fun than we are? I'm off to the beach tomorrow, will post if there is wi-fi.
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jane
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