Starting chemo Sept 05

Hello Everyone,



I haven't posted in a while but do read your posts often. I had one heck of a time since I last posted. Where was I oh yeah --- my cat scan came back negative -- no cancer in the brain. The a week after that I got my chemo 3rd AC dose and 4 days later ended up in the hosp with chills and the high temp again. They kept me in for 4 days and narrowed it down to my Central line that they yanked out of my body. The labs on the central line ended up negative but with all the antibotics I got I think it killed whatever germ that was causing my high temp. I was able to shower like a normal person without having to be careful to get my dressing on my chest wet -- it was great. Two weeks after that I went for my 4th and last AC dose, but my white counts were low so they gave me the chemo anyway and I had my first nuelasta shot !!! This of course after my onc insisted that I have a new line in so I had a PICC line placed in my right upper arm ( the fourth time was a charm -- the nurses butchered my right upper arm -- I think I made them nervous -- one RN to another-- I ask to many questions and can be pretty demanding about my care. Can't tell you how much fun that was. After chemo and the injection I was in bed for a week and then week 2 still pretty much fatigued. This week I feel great and I leave back to MD Anderson on Monday for my first Taxol and Herceptin. Monday by the way is my 39th birthday - Happy Birthday to me huh????



Michelle AKA Aussiemum -- congrats of the Herceptin movement over there, and thanks again for the PM.



Peggy -- I cant tell you how happy I am that you are finished with Taxol. I hope this doesn't mean you won't post with us anymore. Your posts have made me see the light at the end of the tunnel.



Half way there for us starting Taxol. I keep telling myself 3 more months of this !!!!!!!!!!



I pray for all of us daily -- remember this too shall pass and we will be stronger and more beautiful women because of it.



The God who made you will never fail you (1 Peter 4:19)



Marg

Peggy!!!

Whooohooooo!!!! Congratulations on finishing up the Taxol. Another check mark on the list of treatments. When do you start radiation?

*susan*

Lisa – I am just filling in the genetic testing form – got to find out a lot of dates of birth and death if relevant so it is quite time consuming – not sure how far I will take it though as my daughter’s are not keen on knowing right now.

Peg you still come and cheer us up – we have a lot to thank you for THANK YOU. My dog is still doing well tottering about on 3 legs, although he is starting to put his 4th leg down a little now – he just loves having me about.

Michelle – I made the concert and my grandson did a good job of fiddling – he was a Fiddler – the play was The Jolly Postman with Christmas songs thrown in of course. Your social timetable sounds good. You will miss you son but it will be good for him. My son is in the Royal Marines but of recent times he has been able to make it home (to drop his washing) most weekends. I have been lucky enough to not have to cancel any social engagements yet. We are going to a medieval do on Saturday evening – I am wearing a long curly wig and medieval gear – should be fun, although I am ready for bed most evenings around 9 pm.

Thoughts to you all.

Speak soon.

Sandra from the UK

Aussiemom,
yes I am scared of ovary removal, anything that involves anesthesia but I was in horrible pain yesterday with the Taxol.

I'm fine today except for a sore throat and chills, my whites are down, I bragged to much about my immune system, I jinxed myself....I hope this passes without pills.

Lisa,
never put off a vacation.

Pegk,
yipeeeeeee for you, wish I was there, go and celebrate.

Marg,
sorry to hear you have such a hard time.
Happy birthday to a healthy new year!!!

Hope you all hang in there!!

God Bless

Sandra,
i've gained weight too, about 7kg , and am not happy about it (but in the scheme of things, I shouldn't worry).

Looking forward to the photo

Good morning ladies! Hope everyone is doing OK. Well 5 down 3 to go! At least I'm past the half-way mark! I had my 1st treatment of Taxotere yesterday. Peggy you were asking about that and I'll be getting 3 more treatments of taxotere total of 4 every 3 weeks. I was really scared yesterday because of all the allergic reactions you can have while they're giving it to you but it went just fine. No problems. The chemo nurse said I'd sleep during the drip because of the benedryl but I didn't shut up talking the whole time I was there LOL. I was so wound up from the decadron I had to take the nite before!!! Drove the 60 miles to treatment and 60 miles home! I HATE that decadron!!

I've got a doctors appointment today and to get my neulasta shot and I'm going to have her give me something STRONG to sleep at nite. I was awake at 12:30am yesterday morning and 12:30am today because of the decadron. They tell you to rest but I can't see how you can do that when your strung out on that stuff.

Well a new 6 month old siamese kitten found me about a week ago. I'm like a magnet when it comes to cats! Sure wish people would take care of their animals. Just what I need is another cat to add to my 11 cat collection LOL. She's beautiful but I think she is pregnant. I'm going to call my vet today & talk to them about finding her a home and getting her spayed. Want to get your mind off of chemo???? Start collecting stray cats!!!! LOL

Well hope everyone has a great weekend and take care!!

Cheryl

Michelle - you have just made me come out in a hot flush thinking of all that hot weather - Do people dress up in the Red Santa suit, complete with white beard and black boots in the heat in Sydney??

Sandra from the UK

Good morning all!! I had a doctors appointment yesterday and that went well. I asked her when all the aches and pains would sent in from the Taxotere and she said usually its the night after you get your treatment. From what I've read in here it seems like the pain starts a few days after the treatment so I won't hold my breath. I've been having a problem swallowing and when she looked in my throat she said I had thrush LOL. Well she gave me a prescription for some pills and said it would take care of that. Got my red blood cell shot on Thursday because my counts were a bit low and my neulasta shot yesterday. Boy you sure do get used to all these needles after awhile LOL.

Peggy I also talked to her about my sleep problem. She said benedryl usually knocks you out. Well it didn't when they did my taxotere on thursday because I never shut up & was wound up all day. Last nite I took an ambien went to bed at 8:30pm and didn't wake up until 4am which was GREAT! I think I'm going to take another one tonight & see what happens. I don't think theres anything worse than not being able to sleep.

I posted a new picture of that Siamese kitty that found me. I went to see my vet yesterday and they're giving me a big discount on spaying her since I spend SO MUCH money there with all my other cats. I'm taking her in Weds to have that done. People that have animals really need to take care of getting them fixed. There are so many out there that are starving, reproducing,sick etc etc. You can sure tell that I'm one of those "animal" people (ha ha). Keeps me going though.

Hope everyone has a great day.......

Cheryl

Marg,

In Texas you just never know what the weather is going to do to us! It sure has been a crazy year.
Tina

Just checking in....I have not been posting much but have been reading the list daily. I am doing pretty well I am 11 days since my surgery and for the most part ok. The worst part of it (and I will call the doc tomorrow) is my arm and side on the side they took out the lymph nodes. Its like when you sit on your foot and it tries to wake up and you get the pin and needles thing going on. It is not constant but the pain pills do not do much to help it. I have not noticed any extra swelling so hoping its not a symptom of Lymphadema. I am starting to get some feeling back in my chest around the scars and thats almost more pain then I have had ...too strange..must be the nerves trying to repair themselves.

I was having cabin fever...and probably should not have but took a short trip on my own to the store. (no pain pills for many hours). Now I need some...and a nap!
TTYL
tina

Hi all,

I have been reading every day, but have not been good about writing. Between the fact that I can't eat and radiation fatigue, my energy levels have been very low.

Marg, we all worry about our children, regardless of their age. As I have mentioned before, I have considered it a bit of a blessing that my daughter has been off at college during chemo and radiation. I admit that I have hidden the worse parts of the treatments from her. She has no idea that I have been in the hospital for my GI issues. I suspect it is much harder when they are home with you. And, if you need some snow, I have enough to share!!!!!

Sandra, going into work on the off hours was a strong thing to do. I hope that your counselor is able to help you in whatever way _you_ want help.

Peg, I hope that you are coming to the other side of your final Taxol infusion. Too cold to have bone pain right now, if you ask me! How are the home renovations coming along? When do you get a kitchen back?

Tina, good to hear you in good spirits. I remember those node pains, and nothing touched them. Five months later, I still have some pain, but it moves around. Never know from day to day where they will appear!

Cheryl, another cat? Oh my! Do you suppose you have neighbors that send cats over to your yard? My sister has a neighbor like that, and animals seem to appear weekly.

Janet, yes I finished first, and darn if I don't have a bit of hair to prove it! Though I did notice last night that I have stubble 'down there.' Maybe the head is next? We can always hope!

My week is full with a colonoscopy [oh joy], genetics counselor and a follow up ultrasound for my uterus. No one seems to know why I can't eat without getting pain and so I am basically eating white food plus some ginger ale. Food, making and eating, was one of my great life joys, and this just p*sses me off!

I have past the half way point of my radiation!!!! Only three weeks to go.

Take care all,

*susan*

Hi all

Thanks for thinking of me sandra- I have been meaning to post for sometime now but life is so hectic!

The move went rather well- we are pretty much all settled now apart from our bedroom which looks like a bomb site. The kids have adjusted well to their new surroundings which was my main concern and we have just had aircon installed to help with this awful heat!

As far as the depression goes, I was on an antidepressants anyway but found that for 3 days post chemo I couldnt' stomach it which would send me spiralling then I would get back on it again. Not a good pattern. Now I just have to take extra zofran for the nausea and am trying to increase my dosage slightly. Thanks to a fantastic bc nurse, bc counsellor and gp I have managed to slowly get it more undercontrol. Depression combined with pmt and chemopause at the same time (I keep fluctuating) is not a pretty sight. There have been some god awful times but I am hoping it is under control now. I highly recommend the bc nurse/counsellor- they have literally been a lifesaver for me lately and even though I have "done" the depression thing alot before, I haven't truly spoken. They make me feel heard and understood in a way that i didn't think they could. It is such a relief I highly recommend it. Mostly, just be honest!- Even the most irrational, selfish, horrible thoughts verbalised and then looked at differently really help. Just my 2 cents!

I just had my first taxol/herceptin last wednesday. It took 8 hours all up and was rather draining but apart from some nausea wed night and early thursday morning I have been great. The bone pain I have been able to combat with huge dosages of glucosamine and some pain killers at night before bed and I find they get worse around 5am, 2 pm then just before bed. Generally when I am really tired. I know I am not resting as much as I should be but it is tough with all that is going on. As for this ovary/uterus pain I have read some of you having- can you please explain it? I have felt that way the past 3 days and very bloated too. It kind of feels like bad period pain but different.

My general health hasn't been fantastic (quite a few infections, 1 afternoon stint in the ER) but I am hoping to pick up shortly. Any ideas how on earth you rest with small kids, new house, christmas approaching, etc??? I know I need to sleep more but it is just an impossibility at the moment.

I am hoping the next 3 treatments will be just as "good" regarding the pain- do you know if the bone pain is cumulative? Then it is onto radiation for me in Feb.

Michelle- what awesome news about your petition. Please keep me posted on what you are doing and if their is anyway Scott and I can become involved in your campaigning.

Has anyone heard anything about a developing HER2 vaccine? I am interested to hear what, if anything is "doing the rounds" at the moment.

Well must dash, I whinge I am tired but then sit up typing!!

Will be online more often once my internet is set up properly here at the new house.

xoox

Hi there,

I am eating everything I can get my hands on with the Taxol. What a difference from AC. Have you all been able to restrain yourselves in the eating department on Taxol?

I have only gained 6 lbs but i have two Taxol's left....I gotta get this under control!

hi all
of for taxol #2 today,dont want to do it,its bad enough the side affects im getting from dex let alone taxol.oh well off I go cya all soon and hope all is well
love carol