Starting Chemo in June 2005

Hello Junebugs.

Glad to see we're all still stumbling along nicely.

I had my 2nd Taxotere last week. Taxotere has been harder on me than AC. It's still not bad, but I had hardly any ill affects from AC, so the fact that Taxotere causes a little bone pain and makes me move a little slower for a few days is not fun. Thank God for Vicodin!

I hate that sulphur/tar taste that lasts for a while. Gross!

I have a deep sore throat and my onc says might be start of mouth sores so prescribed the magic mouth wash stuff.
Did your insurance pay for it? Mine won't because it's a compound drug of some over the counter stuff. It's only $40 that I'll have to pay, but I'm mad! Ins co doesn't blink an eye at paying $5,922 per Neulasta shot, but can they help me with some mouthwash? NO!

Okay, I feel better now.

Off to the germ riddled skating rink for my 7 yr olds birthday party. Can anyone say Purell? lol

Oh, and what happened to your beloved Cardinals ladies?

GO ASTROS!

where is everybody? I had a weekend of ups and (mostly) downs. Son #2 was in town with his family for the weekend, and DH and the other boys were doing a construction project (but it rained, mostly). N brought his dog, and his dog and mine ran off, and didn't come back. I knew it wasn't going to end well when they didn't come back at night, and it raining. Son #1 waited until son #2 left with his kids, then told us he had walked down the tracks and found both of them dead, hit by a train. Lulu was the BEST dog, just 3 1/2 years old and a great companion. After we buried them, I wanted to get another dog right away, so ended up getting another chocolate lab, that looks a lot like Lulu. I couldn't even make the calls to the classifieds without crying into the phone. But we've got a 12 week old pup, and she seems intelligent and sweet. My pottery studio name is Brown Dog Pottery, after Lulu, so I had to get another brown dog. I love Labs. So, I need a name. I was thinking about Bella, I knew that son #3 and wife are naming their baby Anna Belle if it's a girl (due late Jan.) I called and asked them if they were thinking of a nickname for her (if it's a girl) and he said "Bella." So, that doesn't fly. So, I'm taking suggestions. I like Molly, Daisy, Daphne, Nellie that I've thought of so far. I tend to like 2 syllables, it's easier to call them.

I bought colored markers and let the 4yr old granddaughter decorate my head with a pumpkin wearing a witch's hat. It was pretty funny.

Brenda,
I am so sorry to hear about your sweet furry friend.
What a big "ouch"
I have two furry friends here who keep my spirits up.
We are about to start the drive to radiation. I have been more achy too. I wonder if it is all the driving or the radiation itself.
Thankfully my anti-anxiety drug has kept me from constantly imagining the worst.
I am less of a "Debby Downer" than I was over the previous months.
My chick feather hair is growing in . but my eyebrowns and eyelashes seem even more skimpy.
I saw a friend I hadn't seen for four years she didn't know who I was.
Yikes!
Oh and I got the cutest new hat. I wear it in the house only.
I call it my babykitty hat. It has ears. I like to fiddle with them. I used to do that with my hair so I find it comforting.
I look silly. But I prefer silly to sad.
Brenda do you remember Charles Shultz (peanuts cartoonest) ?
He said "Happiness is a warm puppy."
And Dana....you do not have bone met. No surrender will probably log on soon to tell you the same.

Brenda...my heart goes out to you. Our dogs are like our children...and we didn't have to send them to college.

We got hit by Wilma on Monday...fortunately, minimal damage to house...but no power. Using computer at work briefly that is being run on generator. Very scary hurricane. Was supposed to get final chemo today, but it has been postponed. Hopefully it will be tomorrow...waiting to get word from doctor. He is trying to get me set up for tomorrow but doesn't know if he will have neulasta, etc. for the day after.

We have no idea how long without power. Everyone is working hard to get things back to normal...but a very large area has been affected and things are a bit crazy here. The weather is cool which makes being without ac bearable. We dined with our neighbors by candlelight last night. Just hope I get my chemo this week...want to be DONE!

Liz

Brenda-- I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved pet. It sounds tough on top of everything else.

Jenster,
Sorry to inform you, but your son has just crossed the line known as MAN IN TRAINING! Your work is done, you cannot change him now. He is genetically engineered to behave this way. Do not blame him or yourself.

lol! Have fun!

Brenda, deepest sympathy over the loss of your dog. We had to put our cat down after my last A/C treatment. It's hard enough dealing with the loss of a pet, but add chemo to the equation, and it really makes life suck.
Our new kitten has provided SO much entertainment and laughs that it's never a dull moment around her. Hopefully, your new puppy will do the same!

Children...my DD will turn 17 on Monday. It appears she has permament brain loss, because she can't remember to do the 2 things I've asked her to do on a daily basis. Of course, if I forget to do anything for her birthday party, she pitches a fit. I just can't pitch a fit over NOT unloading the dishwasher....I just don't pay her allowance! She's starting to fill the pinch in her wallet. Her hours at work are being cut and she doesn't do anything for an allowance...and she has to pay for her gas, 1/2 of her class ring....She's getting a huge dose of financial responsibility.

I forgot to tell you about our trip to Las Vegas. We had a great time, but I was not overly impressed with LV. I guess the main reason why is it's so fast-paced, and it's not family oriented...at least for a 17 yo....

My husband won $20 in the nickel slots. I think we put in a total of $10, so I guess we did good....baby might get a new pair of shoes.

On Thursday evening, we went to a Fan Fest for NHRA. We got there really late and didn't have a chance to meet too many drivers. They were wrapping up, and we were looking at the "Fuel for the Fight" car. A gal came up to me, and starting talking to me about breast cancer. As it turned out, the driver is from northern Utah. The driver walked over and I was thanking him for racing a pink car (it's mainly black, with pink lines and a pink ribbon). I found out that the reason they are advertising a mainly women's cancer in a man's racing world is because they want people to know that breast cancer affects everyone...not just the person diagnosed.

We went to the NHRA drag races on Saturday. My daughter was in heaven...along with her dad. She got to meet Erica Enders, and was so giddy! The Fuel for the Fight folks got pooped on at the race, and they were not there. They are planning a huge hospitality house at the races in Ponoma, CA the first weekend in Nov. If anyone is interested in their website, check it out at www.fuelforthefight.com

On Friday evening, we went to see Blue Man Group. A gal sitting behind me tapped me on the shoulder and broke the ice by saying, "I had the same hair style a year ago." I was wearing just my baseball cap. I have always wondered how I'd start a conversation with someone who looked like they were going through chemo...now I know. Anyway, she was a triple negative, too, and it was such a relief to hear her say that she was a 5 yr survivor. I can't help but think that we all share the responsiblity of giving hope to folks who are first diagnosed and/or those going through treatment. (Not that any of you need to be reminded, otherwise, you wouldn't be here)

It was great getting away, and it was a fun way to celebrate being done with chemo. My husband wasn't too happy about the speeding ticket he got....but, if he had listened to me, he wouldn't have gotten one....So much for the $10 gain on the slots. It'll help offset the $157 ticket!~~

Forget the tea. I've decided on coffee and peanut M&Ms!

BTW - Can you all see my avatar? All I get is a square with a smaller square and a red X in the middle. Just wondering if it's my computer.

Jen

Popped in here quick this morning at work. Can't believe how we have the same "issues", basically I haven't posted because all I can think of posting is negative things about my family----think next years Breast Cancer Awareness focus should be on the families and men and children should be required to pass a "clueless to mom" test. Gritch, gritch, gritch.....Anyway had Taxol yesterday and only three more to go. White count was up enough that neupgen injections were decreased to 2/wk (something I wouldn't have to even deal with if DD hadn't had strep and DH hadn't had the "crud" right). We have had an absolutely beautiful fall here and I just keep thinking that at least I can enjoy God's beautiful gift to me.
Take care and talk to you later
KimB