Any other young Manitobans out there??

Anyone went to Vic for chemo Tx? I just got call from CC that my Tx could be arranged at the Vic since I am living on St. Vital.

  Melanie,

   How are you doing?   Hope you are managing well.  Thinking about you, and wondering how your summer is going.

   Diane.

I have a PICC and it is not so bad, most time I don't notice it there.  If your new with one you may notice it more.  Depending on your personality/comfort you may want to cover it up.  Three quarter sleeves work best I find, or  a sweater over the shoulders if you have a sleeveless dress.  Otherwise I have not been covering it up these days and am comfortable with that...you will get a few looks at first , but I don't care anymore it is what it is, and it is summer people!

My hair started falling out after the first cycle about 2 weeks after so you might be alright for that time frame.  You have some time to check out your options...just in case but I'm pretty sure at 9-12 days it would still be there.  Twelve days might be pushing it, but everyone is different.  For me both times I have had chemo it was almost clockwork 14 days.  You could look on the hair, hair, hair thread or some of the other chemo forums from the last few months to see what is common for the T/C protocol. 

As far as how you will be feeling you probably won't have nausea, but with the C your taste for different foods might have changed.  For me I found that alcohol tasted very different and I tried a few different wines but stuck with carbonated water, virgin caesars  that sort of thing.  You may be a bit tired as well but you could rest up for the wedding.  The last thing I wanted to mention is that chemo caused you to be at risk for infections around day 10-14, depending on the person or protocol they are on.  So, make sure if you are shaking a lot of hands and there are a lot of people that you bring some hand gel sanitizer, or wash your hands frequently to try and prevent getting an infection.  If someone is visibly sick, then don't shake/kiss them/sit next to them.  Better that than getting sick afterwards.

I know the staff will help you with some of these things related to the specific drugs you are getting.  So, hope everything goes well for you next week.  It really is the unknown of how you are going to respond and how the treatment is done that I was worried about.  That anxiety(?)/feeling got better once the first treatment was done.

((gentle hugs))

Diane.

Hello,

they pushed my chemo up. Had PICC line inserted on Friday and was told then chemo on Monday.Was I supposed to get some inf. about chemo I am getting. Somebody told me no sun, no grapefruit, but I was not told anything. Have to ask them.

No for sure I am going to the weding with the wig. I picked-up one at CC and going to Evelyn's on Tuesday (hopefully).

I will be getting T/C.

K

Anybody knows if prescription for the wig could say wig or it has to be written as ful head prosthesis?

I got prescription for wig (he forgot to sign it so I have to call them anyway). I saw somewhere that it has to be prosthesis.

Thank You.

Hello,

GracePang thank You for getting back to me. I knew I saw somebody went at the Vic but when I went over the tread again I could not find it. I ended up having my first Tx at Cancer Care yesterday (they had cancellation) but next three I would have at the Vic.

Today I am going to Evelyn's to find a wig (if I find her first).

I calle my insurance and it could say wig, so I am fine.

My first day after chemo I find to be very irritable, did not sleep well, have 5 pounds more since yesterday (drinking lots of water as told),constipation.

Hi Nicola - Hope you are feeling better.  That weight gain was frustrating to me.  I would get sick the night of chemo and weigh myself the next morning and yeah I would be up 5 pounds.  Crazy!!!  It does come off when the chemo is done though. 

Just wanted to say hi to everyone.

Nikola - hope you are feeling better and stronger.

Melanie & Grace - Thinking of you both and hope things are getting easier for you both.  

If anyone is interested in joining the Running Room Clinic you still can.  We have only completed 2 weeks.  Laurel & I are both there.  

Take Care,

Bev

HI Melanie and everyone

    Hope all is well.  How was your brother's wedding?  I been at my trailer at Lilac for the past little while and I have been thinking about you.  Im praying for you.

Wow, I'm exhausted,  I had my 3rd blood transfusion yesterday along with chemo(Navy Bean) . -- long day.  I hope I have more energy again soon.  My Hgb: 79.    I really hate this.  When my hgb goes up I really feel like a normal person-  whatever that is anymore..    I hate when people are looking at you as if you are the walking dead.  thinking " wow she survived the summer"   well, that makes me more angry and I put on my makeup, fix up my thin hair(use to be thick), draw my eyebrows as I don't have any(sometimes I draw them angry lookinghahaha- then I get double stares).  All this energy of looking decent makes me stronger.....   SOOO    hold your head up and feel good because we are all warriors against cancer.

Thanks Bev  I feel a little more energtic the last few days.  I went on Disability just recently and I find it hard to adjust to a homelife. It's ok when the family is home, but now I have more time to think- hate that-.  I had worked full-time through all my treatments since 2001, i guess i have a feel what retirement might be like.  Anyway,  have you hear to see how Melanie is doing. I often come to see if everything is alright with her.

Congrats on finishing chemo Nikola.  Do you have to have radiation?  Maybe not since you had stage 1 and no pos nodes.  Here's hoping.  If you do though, it is nothing compared to chemo. 

Monique - Glad to hear you have a bit more energy.  I have not heard anything from Melanie.  

Thinking of you Melanie.  Post if and when you can/feel like it.

Diane - How are things with you?

I saw Laurel and the CIBC Run For The Cure.  She is a barrel of laughs and energy!  Sorry, I didn't recognize you right Laurel away with all your Run  For The Cure gear on!

Back to work for me on Tuesday.  I am pretty nervous.  Kind of like the 1st day of school but more so.  I shouldn't be as  after what I went through the last 2 years I must remind myself that I can deal with anything.  I ran the 1/2 marathon in Niverville 2 weeks ago. (photos on facebook - Bev Martin)  It was a milestone for me.  Ok, Ok, my brag moment is over!   My husband - Tim is running for city councillor for Charleswood/Tuxedo too.  So, life is busy but good!    Ready or not, here comes life.

Hugs,

Bev

Nikola - Hope you are starting to regain your energy.  Hair growth takes a while.  The hair grows slowly.  You think you are going to have a 1/2 inch hair growth in a few months.  But, keep in mind that the hair grows in cycles, so in other words not every hair is going to pop out of your scap at once. lol.  Takes a while to get a full head.  I am now about 15 months out of chemo.  You can see some photos on facebook.  (Bev Martin)  Probably, the most current is Sept 27th (1/2 marathon) 

Screenings seem minimal unless you have symptoms.  Dr's don't like to give much nutritional advice either.  If you are up to it you can always go to a naturopath.  I take a whole slew of supplements but that is my own personal choice.  I am no medical expert.

 Thinking of you all.

Hugs,

Bev

It,s was very sad to see it in the paper this morning, My deepest sympathy to her family, we will be thinking of you, and will keep them in our prayers. 

This is just the saddest story.  I just cannot make any sense of it.  I am so angry at cancer right now.  I pray for strength for her family.  I have a daughter the same age as Melanie's oldest (19).  I know she was trying to focus on making memories for her family and did a fair bit of travelling while she was well enough.  Disney world in 2009.  I pray in time some of the memories Melanie made with them will ease their pain.