November 2009-Starting Chemo

I've logged on here several times in the past few days and tried to think of something to say, Melinda, about the glaucoma, but I am at a loss for words.  It seems you really can't catch a break.  How in the world can this not be related to the chemo, though?  The treatments are so harsh, I would think any part and every part of one's body could possibly be affected.  I'm so sorry you have to deal with it, but no damage to the nerve is good news.  Will the drops get rid of it or keep it where it is?

Sue:  Will the tinnitis go away?  Funny that I was looking up Pulsatile Tin. on the web and discovered an explanation to something my son has had since he was 5: he has Objective Tinnitus where there is a crackling noise you can hear coming from his ear.  The web said it is caused by muscle spasms from the middle ear.  We had even gone to a specialist at that time, and he said he had never seen or heard anything like that.  Guess he had never used the internet before.  

Happy Thursday, everyone!  Nette   

Nette: It does seem unlikely that it is unrelated to the cancer or treatments, but as long as it is not a brain tumor.... The drops appear to be a life long thing, keep the pressure down to protect the nerve. I am just very glad it was caught in time.

Sue: coming down the finish line, I know you can , I know you can!

Thanks Melinda - I'm nearly there. More skin is coming off unfortunately. Still, it healed up nicely last time, so I'm not too worried. I hope your eye feels better. Hey, you haven't said how it's going with the beau.

I'm going in to work tomorrow again - another free lunch They are having a lunch to say good bye to the contractors and for the shelving of our project. I might be able to find out where I'll be put when I go back.

Sue

Linda:  9 weeks, that is an odd amount of time, are you doing the herp for another year??

Sue: The Beau is fine, he seems to be tolerating my slump well which is another good sign.

Michele: I know what you mean about that parking lot stress. My Onc has a automated service that calls to remind you of your appt, her "voice" practically sends me into a rage.

Does it cause any pain Sue? You are almost there! I'll drink a glass of champagne in honor or you. My 22 yr-old niece is home, so we're going to have a Beverley Hills Housewives shindig for her...

Yes, Melinda, my onc added another year of Herceptin. So far, so good...it's working! I'm going for PET/CT scans on the March 23 and have surgery on March 24.

HI girls ~ just got home yesterday from a wonderful week in Vermont with my family skiing.  I did something off my bucket list and skied my first black diamonds of my lifetime !  It was great to ski and feel alive.  Last year I was just done with chemo for this annual trip and spent my time reading alone while the family skied.

It was quiet here while I was gone. 

Sue ~ hope your skin isn't hurting too bad, you are almost DONE !!!!

Linda ~ sorry to hear your reconstruction was pushed back, but hey it is on the CALENDAR! woo HOO

Melinda ~ sorry about your eye troubles.  I hope the drops help and keep it regulated.

Michele ~ I do the same thing, hyperventilate the minute I pull in the parking lot of the cancer center.  UGH !  Glad you don't have to go for 6 months.  I have my checkups all scheduled for May AFTER my cruise.  Nothing is going to ruin my TRIP !

Nettie ~ hoping you are feeling good and all is going well.

To all the other quiet sisters.  BIG hugs !

Alicia

Alicia, so glad you had a wonderful trip.  I was looking at my calender yesterday from last year...and boy what a difference a year makes.  I was a couple of weeks into rads and I had gone skating with my family on the The Redeau Canal.  It is the worlds longest skating rink at about 8kms.  My Dh had to pull me all the way up and back.  I wanted to cry.  It was so tiring and I felt like a pathetic baby.

Alicia, I LOVE your picture! You look great!

I was still doing chemo this time last year. I didn't finish up until late March. But I was bald and yellow. I'm still working on getting my strength back, but I am out exercising and enjoying the air! Life is good

Yippeee, Sue!!!!!!  Congrats!!!  I know you're tired now, but use the down time to heal and get your energy back.  I'm so sorry you have to deal with the skin breakdown again.  

Alicia, I had to log in last night to see the pic you have up after Linda mentioned it.  (I had seen it on fb, but I wanted to make sure I hadn't missed an even newer one.)  You are rocking the look!  

Yes, as we keep reminding ourselves, this time last year was so different.  I, too, get the queezy stomach just pulling into the parking lot of the ol' chemo place when I go every 6 mo..  However, I always got queezy just making an appt.  on the phone with my PC doc, much less any BC doc.  :P

 DD is home from college for her spring break.  (She came in earlier in the day on Friday than she had thought and surprised me while I was subbing.  She claims I ran a couple of kids down trying to get to her, but I don't think I did.  At least no serious injuries.)  She and I are going to go out of town later this week, spend a night in a later hotel, and do some serious shopping while there.

Everyone remains on my prayer list, with special "emphasis" on Sue and Melinda. I call it a "prayer boost."     Nette 

JUST LOST MY whole post... grrrr...

Sue Congratulations on finishing rads, be kind to yourself and rest.  I hope you feel better with each passing day.

Nette, Linda, Michele thanks for the compliments.  Growing this hair is tough.....  I wish I could pull on it and make it grow.  I am taking biotin so we will see if that will speed things up.  Michele the new "girls" are way better than the last set.  I like the silicone so much more than the saline.  They are rounder and a more full size.  I get skin grafted nipples built on April 29th, it had to be after the cruise so I don't get them WET for a few weeks.  Then after that heals tattooing for color.  Can't wait to have frosting on these cupcakes, these blank globes are scary. lol

Hugs girls !

Thanks girls - I'm in a little bit better mood today - just threw out the appt list and skin care advice from the rads place - that made me feel better. I still have to go there to pay this last week's bill and then to see the rad onc in 6 weeks. When I said goodbye to the radiographers yesterday - I said "I'll never see you again" - which is so true.

Not fair - you all seem to have grown back straight hair - mine is still crazy curly!!!

Sue

Thanks Alicia - I don't know how to thankyou you all for being here for me.

((((((((((((HUGS FOR MY SISTERS)))))))))))

Sue

Melinda you are one cute little monkey...

Sue:  is April's BC surgeon a followup for you?  Hope your bus friend is doing better now.  Has to be hard coming to grips with the surgery.  

Hope everyone had a good weekend.  My DD was home last week and went back to college yesterday.  Will miss her terribly, as always, but our time together is always fantastic, so I have to look at what we had, not what I don't, and to look forward to her next time home!

Happy Monday.  Nette