Starting Chemo in June 2005

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  • JoMac
    JoMac Member Posts: 192
    edited November 2005
    Liz, that cruise sounds delicious.
    I have been very achy in all my joints. Even my fingers. When I wake in the morning I dread the "getting out of bed". It just hurts all over.
    As the day goes on things seem to get much better. I do walk forty minutes daily. I tried to do some weight lifting but my arm did not like that one bit. They were only two pound weights but I think it was a mistake.
    I have found in the last two weeks all my eyebrows and eye lashes have returned. Even the eyelashes on the bottom of the eyes. I never thought of it before but are they called eyelashes too?
    Then I had the too much hair experience where my whole face got "peach fuzzy' and then "peach hairy" . So I got some Nair for the face and used that.
    I have two more radiation appts. to go.
    I liked the outings. We usually did something fun on at least three of the days. Just something like getting coffee or stopping at a store.
    It felt like "quality time". It was both really .....Quality and Quantity time.
    I am sure my husband will be happy not to be doing all that driving.
    I am glad we got it all done before the winter weather became a factor.
    Now I just have to schedule my oomph.
    I am hoping to have it done after Christmas but I will find out more about that on Tues.
    Then I plan on taking the rest of the week to not think about it.
    I'm not a drinker but I wish I could get really really drunk and just not think or feel anything for a few days.
    Hopefully having extended family around for the holiday will be a huge distraction.
    I plan to re-direct conversation to them ...so it is not all about me.
    ugh.....the last thing I want to do is talk about the last eight months.
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited November 2005
    Liz - I bet the next 9 days fly by for you. I hope so. I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.

    JoMac - It sounds like your "outings" were delightful. It's nice to make what's really a chore into something fun like that.

    Guess what brilliant move I made this morning? I had to throw away my daughter's expired EpiPen (an autoinjector with epinephrin) and I accidently injected myself in the thumb. What a maroon!! The needle hit the bone and it bent the needle. I bled like a stuck pig. And then I got the jitters from the epinephrin. Thankfully I only got a smidgen of the dose. I called my nurse and after she stopped laughing at me (I couldn't help it. I was laughing, too) she told me it would be just fine. Well my thumb swelled up and looks horrible. It's bruised where the needle went in and the skin is cold and looks dead. So my son made me drive to the clinic to have them look at it. So after they ALL stopped laughing, one of the nurses told me it was okay. Nothing to worry about. The coldness and discoloration (besides the bruise) are very normal with epinephrin and it should go away soon.

    Bah! Tomorrow morning I'm leaving for Eureka Springs with my husband and I can't wait! Sore thumb or no. I'm planning on doing a LOT of reading and I just hope the thumb thing doesn't slow me down.

    Jen
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  • JoMac
    JoMac Member Posts: 192
    edited November 2005
    She stuck in her thumb and pulled out a plum and said "what a good girl am I".
    I am really sorry that happened to you.
    It is the last thing you needed.
    Glad to hear the medical community didn't consider it serious.
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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited November 2005
    Jen..that sounds like something I would do...so glad it didn't cause any major problem. Hope you have a wonderful trip...you deserve it!

    Liz
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited November 2005
    Jen,
    "Thumbs up" on that great trip. Just think, if you have car trouble and need to hitch, no one will be able to miss your thumb!
    Have a great time!

    Watson
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited November 2005
    Thank you all for having some concern for my welfare! lol.

    My thumb is much better today. It's the right color (except for the horrible bruise) and it's not so cold anymore. It also doesn't hurt nearly as bad as it did yesterday. Guess the hitch hiking idea won't work now. LOL!!!

    Y'all have a good weekend!!

    Jen
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited November 2005
    And the #1 worst thing about being bald................

    When you find a hair in your Bean Burrito there ain't no talking yourself into maybe it's yours.

    A true story from your friend, Watson
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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited November 2005
    Watson, it happened to me, too (hair in restaurant food, obviously not mine!)

    Liz, I've been really achy in joints and still having the occasional twinge of leftover bone pain from Taxol in my calves. Gradually, it's getting better, but I feel like I'm a hundred years old most of the time!

    Everybody --- I'M DONE !!!!! (Sure hope it worked!) Today was the last day of rads, and Sunday we're having our Thanksgiving dinner here. Boy, do I have a LOT to be thankful this year. Sure, it sucked, but so much that could have gone badly didn't! And I was so lucky to have this modern medical treatment available. And my children are awesome, and my grandkids. And my husband has been a rock through all this. I am truly grateful.
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited November 2005
    Yea!!!!!!!!!Brenda!

    (not about the hair in your food, lol)

    Have a great weekend with your family!
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  • RebeccaH
    RebeccaH Member Posts: 72
    edited November 2005
    Nancy....thanks for the report from the Wed discussion. I had to take my daughter to a concert, so I couldn't hang out. I am really interested in knowing more about the weight/exercise card. I know a healthy diet and exercise is beneficial for everyone, but it is interesting to know that it may have a direct relationship with er/pr- cancers.
    I'll be glad to read the transcript.

    Had my port removed yesterday. I'm glad it's gone, but I didn't think I'd have any pain. Once again, chemobrain. When you have your body cut on, and then have stitches, there will be pain. It's not bad, it's just I wanted to sleep good last night....and without the aid of pain killers!

    Rads are ticking along.....
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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited November 2005
    CONGRATULATIONS BRENDA...SO GLAD YOU ARE DONE!!!! I feel like a 90 year old woman half the time...hard to beleive I will be glad to feel 58 again...although by that time I will be 59 (birthday is in December).

    Even though this has been a horrible year...you are right that we should be grateful that we have the best in medical treatment available. I am very happy and grateful now that I have been formally introduced to NED!! That nasty old chemo did it's job and I am very thankful. Now on to radiation to help prevent the beast from returning.

    I am so excited about my cruise! Plan on getting packing done this weekend. I have two new mastectomy swimsuits and bought a hat with a chin strap to keep my wig on if it is windy. So I shouldn't have to worry about losing my head or my fake boob falling out in the pool! Haven't decided what to do about my nails...all 9 of them. Since my toenails are still intact, I think I will have a pedicure before I go. I may just go ugly with the fingernails and not worry about it. Nurse said no acrylics yet...and I don't like them anyway...too much upkeep. It is going to be so wonderful to be able to relax with fun friends and have no job stress or doctors appointments! YEA!!!

    Liz
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited November 2005
    Liz,
    I say screw the nails! But you could always go glam and wear gloves like Mrs. Howell or Ginger on Gilligan's Island. Keep them all guessing! Would your husband wear an ascot to keep up the charade?

    Have fun packing and planning. That's always a fun part of the trip. You deserve some fun!

    Watson
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  • minerva
    minerva Member Posts: 36
    edited November 2005
    Liz - I am jealous! My mother and I were going to go on a cruise in May, but then I was diagnosed in April so we had to post pone. We are going next spring. Please tell us all about your trip.

    Brenda - Congratulations! Good luck on your final leg of this long journey.

    Nancy - I would be interested in learning more about the exercise and diet information. I joined a gym when I was doing chemo, to help me keep up my strenght and get me out of the house. I asked my surgeon if I could at least go walk on the treadmil next week and he said fine. Somehow after surgery I gained 5 pounds, amazing since I thought I would loose a few pounds from my mastectomy. Must have been the dounuts my DH brought to me, lol.

    Jenster - Have a great weekend and enjoy yourself. Sorry to hear about your thumb, lol.

    JoMac - Have a great time with your family. Someday soon we will be thinking of other things besides cancer.

    Hugs to everone!
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited November 2005
    I am reading all our posts with such great joy.
    "We've come along way baby!"
    I am here with kindergarten son who had his tonsils, adnoids and one tube in his right ear put in Thursday. Least my DH think his life wasn't exciting enough they couldn't stop the bleeding right away so we ended up there for 12 hours but not over night!!:)
    Poor Jeff he has been through enough- his b-day is New Years Eve-I think he will celebrate loud all day long. Good-bye 2005!
    DS is better today, won't eat popsicles or ice cream but has had soft pancakes all day long and as much water as I can pour down his thoart.
    Life is such adventure:) Everyone enjoy your wonderful cruises and such.
    Love
    Bev
    PS Liz-there was some stupid dad(in the waiting for operation room) threatening to pull his kid's toenails out(his idea of a joke) I wanted to wave my fingernails and toenails in his face and say "See what they do to dumb adults!" DH wouldn't let me:(
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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited November 2005
    Watson "I say screw the nails!" Love your attitude...that's exactly what I'm going to do. Been through too much to let a dumb thing like nails bother me!

    Bev..hope your son recovers quickly. Boy that was a stupid Dad...guess it's good your husband stopped you...but I would have loved to see the look on the guy's face. My birthday is New Year's Eve too...and I will gladly wave goodbye to 2005 and look forward to a better 2006!

    Minerva..I can imagine how disappointing it had to be for you and your Mom to cancel your cruise...but Spring is not really that far away and it certainly gives you something to look forward to.

    I am finding that now that I am finished with chemo that I'm feeling more hopeful each day and beginning to feel that I am slowly getting my life back. I am more aware of being grateful for all the good things that happen and spend less time sweating the small stuff...and that feels good. Now if this joint and bone pain would just go away! It is getting better so I shouldn't complain. Today I only feel about 70 or 80 and that's an improvement over feeling like I'm 90!

    Liz
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  • kimBe
    kimBe Member Posts: 101
    edited November 2005
    Had my last chemo on Thursday and am really looking forward to next weekend! 4 days off and I don't know what we are doing for Thanksgiving---if the weather continues as is maybe clean the garage---never thought that would sound appealing. Everyone seems to being so great, I love it....I will try to log on more-I read, but that is it-I am teaching 4 on-line classes and seems like I don't have much to say when I log on here.....Have a great week and a wonderful Thanksgiving----I do want to thank everyone of you for being there the last 6 months....
    KimB
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited November 2005
    Hello Ladies,

    Well, of course I couldn't get through chemo without a little drama.
    My last chemo is set for Wednesday. My port had to hold up for only 4 more days so of course on Saturday it felt a little tender. I finally got around to looking at it around 5pm and it was red and hard all around it. DAMN!

    Called onc, she said go to emergency room (in med center about 25 miles away). After having ultra sound, blood work, blah blah blah, 5 hours later they decide I need anti biotics and MAYBE it won't have to come out before my last chemo.
    FOUR DAYS AWAY!
    Well, anyhow, they're smoking crack if they think they're taking this port out, putting a NEW ONE IN, all for one more chemo. That was what the ER doc said. Even though I have crappy veins, I think they could manage to find something for the last time!

    Oh, well, that was my drama for the day. I have Christmas decorations all over my floor that have not been put up yet. I'm just so tired! It sounded like a good idea when my kids dragged everything down for me, but now it just looks like Santa puked red and green all over my house! lol

    Sorry to be such a Downer when all of you seem so upbeat.

    Watson
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited November 2005
    Hey Watson - don't apologize for being a downer! That's what we're all here for...to celebrate when things are going well and to hold each other up when things are getting kind of rocky. It seems that all along someone has had their turn being up when the rest were down and vice versa. We've been kicking cancer butt all summer, so it wouldn't seem right if it all ended quietly! What a Towanda let down!

    Your comment about Santa puking red and green all over was a hoot!
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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited November 2005
    Hooray for you KimBe..another one over the finish line! It's strange some of the things that sound good to us now...I cleaned out some stuff when I started packing and it felt good to get something done. My house has been kind of neglected since BC...I actually look forward to doing some deep cleaning once I have some energy back.

    Watson...that really stinks! I'm sure your onc will have a solution other than taking the port out and putting in a new one! That is crazy. Look forward to welcoming you over the finish line on Wednesday. Hope the antibiotics do the trick and get rid of the infection and your LAST (yea!) chemo goes smoothly.

    Liz
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited November 2005
    KimBe, I meant to say CONGRATULATIONS! It is so wonderful that another Junie has made it to the chemo finish line!
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  • kimBe
    kimBe Member Posts: 101
    edited November 2005
    Watson-My prayers are with you and I am sure that somehow you will get your last Chemo thru your port!!! And then on Thursday we will be thankful for ports okay?
    KimB
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited November 2005
    Yea KimBe!!!! Congratulations!!

    Watson - you crack me up! I'm so sorry about your port. That's horrible. But your humor in the face of it all is priceless!!! I know you're gonna get your chemo on Wednesday and then we'll be done!!

    Well, I'm no longer in my 30's. I had such a good time on my trip to Eureka Springs I forgot I turned 40 on Saturday. lol. And I think I gave my husband pneumonia. I was feeling so good that we went into town and I made him walk up a huge flight of stairs, outside, in the cold and he was already wheezy. I'm feeling a bit guilty. Now he won't come anywhere near me because he's started running fever. Bah!

    I'm still on for my last treatment tomorrow. I can't wait!!

    And you ladies are right - so much to be thankful for on Thursday!

    Jen
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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited November 2005
    I've got about 5/8" of hair, and have been getting loads of compliments, even from one lady who didn't know about the BC. She says it looks so "nouveau" . I do admit, I'm kind of liking it, and I may be one of those women who go super-short in the summer (not quite this short, though). It's a pretty cold hairdo to have in Cleveland in the winter...

    All the family, all weekend, and I'm beat today. But no trip across Cleveland to the Clinic! Mostly I've been puttering and cleaning. I should be working, but I feel a need to get the house in order, especially since the fatigue has trumped cleaning a lot lately. My skin is red and tight, but not really painful. I feel lucky, in general, about a lot of things. And, surprisingly normal! It helps to look in the mirror and not see a cancer patient, which I did three weeks ago with no brows or lashes.
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited November 2005
    CONGRATULATIONS!KimBe!!
    I had good news today-my nails are in such awful shape I don't have to do dishes for like three months
    I get to take awful meds but they said no dishes, no lifting or hard work...lucky lucky me
    Happy Thanksgiving to everyone
    Bev-Diva of my house
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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited November 2005
    What a shame Bev ...just in time for the holidays with ALL those dishes. Enjoy your diva status while it lasts! What are they giving you for your nails and what is going on with them. Mine are discolored and separating from the nailbeds and some are a little loose. Have been keeping them short so they won't catch on anything and come off the way the thumbnail did. Going for a pedicure tomorrow...so I guess I will see how my toenails look when they remove the old polish.



    Brenda, you are making me green with envy with all that hair and brows and lashes! I have to be satisfied with a few sprouts!



    HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEN! Hope your husband feels better soon. Glad to hear you will be done tomorrow.

    Liz
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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited November 2005
    Bev, too bad about your nails. I was lucky, only one of mine really separated from the nail bed, about half way down, even though they all discolored and a few acted like they might go. The one that really threatened to lift was the one I use to throw (pottery) the most, so I'm sure that had an effect on the nail. I would have been in deep do-do if it had lifted to the point I couldn't throw. Toenails discolored, but none threatened to lift.

    Congratulations on number LAST, Jen. Jo, did you finish rads? I can't remember if you were going to finish a few days earlier or later than me. My collarbone area is looking pretty burned, even though the last tx to it was 10 days ago. It started to get dry and scaley, but I think that means it's making new skin beneath. Breast and underarm are pink, but not really uncomfortable, just a little itchy. I read on the summer threads that you sometimes continue to "cook" for about ten days after the last treatment.
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited November 2005
    Bummer about the nails!
    My nails are normal as of now. Did your symptoms start while still on chemo or afterwards?

    Speaking of Chemo.....

    I CAN'T HAVE MY LAST CHEMO TOMORROW! WAHHHHHHH!

    Actually, I'm okay with it. I knew they were going to tell me no! I still have cellulitis (skin infection) around the port area so it's a no go. I am now scheduled to have last chemo next Wednesday through IV, not port and then have port removed on Friday. Oh well! I'll get there!

    Jen,
    Hope you're getting doped up! Congrats!

    Watson
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited November 2005
    Aw, Watson! I'm so sorry!! Maybe you'll thoroughly enjoy Thanksgiving this way.

    Yes, I did get my LAST treatment today, though my WBC was still low. No doubt I'll be getting Neupogen shots next week. 'tsokay! I can deal with them.

    Turns out DH has asthmatic bronchitis. Good for me in that he's not contageous. Good for him in that it won't slow him down for as long as pneumonia would. Bad for him that he got a shot of rocephin in the butt yesterday. lol. Ooops. I'm sorry. Did I just laugh out loud?
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited November 2005
    Waston I am so sorry you have to wait so long for your last treatment. Big bummer! But next Wednesday we'll all celebrate with you.
    Liz they are giving me Sporanax for my nails. Nasty stuff. But hey we've all had nasty stuff before. You take it one week a month for three months. My nails didn't seperate from the bed or anything. Some pressure during treatmnet then woke up one morning with smelly awful nails-after treatment. Just luck of the draw! Anyway I don't have to do dishes or heavy lifting so that's my story and I am sticking with it. How much you want to bet my mother gives me dish duty as well as getting the turkey out of the oven this year! LOL you have to laugh or go crazy.
    Best wishes all
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited November 2005
    Don't worry about me. I'm good! I'll just be thankful I can taste my turkey! Taxotere really does a number on my taste buds for a week or so.

    Congrats to all who are finishing up!
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