Is There A September 2011 Chemo Group?

Options
1474850525378

Comments

  • belleeast
    belleeast Member Posts: 653
    edited November 2011

    aaaahhhh maggie,that just sucks. sounds like my chemo days, very frustrating. hope you get in soon.

  • CJRT
    CJRT Member Posts: 524
    edited November 2011

    Kimberly- You always crack me up! One of these days I may just crack and forget the passive part and go straight to aggressive! :-) 

    Mags- Hoping the rest of your day is running smoother. So aggravating!

    Belle- Good luck with the doctor tomorrow. Hope you get all your questions answered and feel secure about the treatment plan.

    RJ- Hope you get over the cold soon. My whole house has had it for the past week and a half, and I'm desperately trying to avoid catching it before my surgery Friday. 

  • Kelliregi
    Kelliregi Member Posts: 138
    edited November 2011

    Kimberly -  That's too funny! I'm enjoying being semi-boobless. I have TE's that just look like wierd squashed footballs, but I had LARGE D cups, that I don't really miss anymore. I'm almost a little sad the TE's are getting bigger.

    Mags - Sorry you have to wait so long for your chemo. I hope it went well with little SE's this time!

    RJ - I hope your cold goes away quickly! Sorry things didn't work out for your daughter and her boyfriend. I'm glad they have you to be there for them though. My son and grandson lived with us for a couple of years. I miss them sooo much!

    I had an appointment with my Onc. and my mini-chemo (Herception only) today. It went well enough. Fungus on my toenails (new drugs) fungus in my mouth (more thrush drugs), can't stay asleep (more new drugs).... I finish with the Onc and head into the treatment room. My nurse du Jour is chatting with me and casually says "So, you're starting on Abraxane next week." WHAT?!?! Changing my chemo? My Onc said nothing about a change, and I just saw her! Nurse says "Let me check..." I quickly Google it and find out it's for metastatic breast cancer!!! As my blood pressure rises with my PANIC, the nurse comes back and says "Sorry, I misread your orders." - I'll take a refill for my Ativan as well, please!!! Well, that was fun! Gotta love this rollercoaster =).

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited November 2011

    Soooo.....got kicked out of hospital.....waited forever...they said someone was coming to talk to me and they never did no we went to adminstration and talked with them...3 ladies came out and 1 started saying that the hosp policy changed and they no longer do chemo inpatient,  then she says that the insurance is not saying that I HAVE to get it done there and that so the asministrators said that I would have to take it up with the insurance co to find out what is really covered??? So we asked is this hospital or insurance issue and they said both.  Left crying and aggrevated and called insuance agent who is finding out hopefully something and called MO and she said come tomorrow to office and they will do there...gotta go prepared though to pay...thank God for Credit cards!!  Agent is going to try to get tomorrow's visit reimbursed.  Hospital told doc that as of yet they have not been paid for my 5 treatments and the claims have been denied and that is why they would not do it....knew it had to do with the money...maybe I would be better off on government assistance than having insurance!  Such a freaking joke!!!

    Maggie

  • Kelliregi
    Kelliregi Member Posts: 138
    edited November 2011

    Oh Maggie, I'm so sorry! That just sucks! I hope you get things worked out to get your treatment tomorrow. I wouldn't hesitate to file a complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services (formerly the Department of Insurance) or at least threaten to your insurance company that you will. I've filed complaints through them, but many years ago, and my insurance provider paid as they should have in the first place.

    I hope this gets taken care of quickly. Sending loads of warm gentle hugs! xxx 

  • Kimberly1961
    Kimberly1961 Member Posts: 407
    edited December 2011

    Maggie, Unreal, just unreal. 

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited December 2011

    I am trying not to think about it but really wanting to drink a bottle of wine right about now.  Will def need help to sleep tonight.  My husband says one way or another I will get my treatment tomorrow regarless of whether we pay for it or not...anyone know how much AC tx costs for 1tx??

    Maggie

  • SCPMadi
    SCPMadi Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2011

    So today I decided that I was going to do my best to finish my Christmas shopping. I have been having reoccurring dreams that I wake up Christmas morning to two excited little kids and I have not put any presents under the tree. So off I went to Walmart and I made a good dent in the rest of my shopping. Hopefully the dreams with subside now.

    I am once again feeling pretty good. I have said this before but the FEC-D cycle of three weeks is heaven sent. I really can feel mostly normal for the 2 weeks in between the bad SE weeks. I find myself overdoing it a little instead of getting the proper rest but can only imagine what you ladies on the weekly and bi-weekly schedules are going through.

    So the Onc. offered to remove my Pick line at my last treatment. She said I could use my vains for the last 2. I have really been debating over this as for as much as it is a pain for showering and waiting for nursing to change bandages and such, it is also nice to not have to get poked with needles for blood and IV. However we own a hot-tub and I would love to soak when the bone pain is at its worse. Anyone not using a line? Any recommendations?

    Maggie-The totally sucks. I am so sorry you had to go through all of that today. I hope it gets worked out quickly. 

  • PinkShirtNow
    PinkShirtNow Member Posts: 134
    edited December 2011

    Maggie - big hugs to you.  That is horrible that you are getting such a run around.  I would definitely do what Kelliregi said about contacting the state insurance folks.  In our state, the threat of that alone would help some insurance companies to get their act together.  I hope your insurance agent can help you get this straightened out  and get an explanation of where you are supposed to get your treatments.  Sometimes it is as simple as the hospital coding the treatment wrong and the insurance company denies it.  None of this is your fault but you bear the brunt of it.  Hang in there.

  • Kayrem
    Kayrem Member Posts: 164
    edited December 2011

    Kimberly -  I believe that there are supplements (have not seen them myself but haven't looked either) but he seems rather adamant that you need to take the Tumeric in conjuction with pepper (it improves adsorption).  Capsules are poorly adsorbed by the digestive system.  I am not doing anything until both my chemo and radiation are done because I think antioxidants can affect radiation also.  The book is cxalled "Anti cancer - a new way of life" by David Servan-Schreiber.

    Maggie - I can not believe that you are having to go through this insurance crap and that it is interfering with your treatment.  I really hope you do what Kelli suggested and file a complaint.

    SPCMadi - I am glad you are feeling better! I still have my moments but I guess you are right it is a bit better than last week.  What is bothering me is the sore throat every morning I wake up at 5:00AM with a sore throat and then I can't fall back to sleep (and I do not want to get up in case I wake everyone up!).  I am going to bed at 9:00 tonight so hopefully I will get a good night sleep.

    Take care everyone

  • belleeast
    belleeast Member Posts: 653
    edited December 2011

    maggie, i am so sorry you are thru this bulls**t. BIG HUGS TO YOU.

  • rjbaby69
    rjbaby69 Member Posts: 349
    edited December 2011

    Maggie - I am so sorry you are going through this bullsh*t!  I'm with the others that think you need to file a complaint!  This is sooooo wrong!  Hugs to you!

    Hugs to everyone!  I am feeling much better today.  So far, no fever so I'm hoping I can go ahead with the treatment tomorrow.  Sooooo want this over with!

    On another note, my youngest daughter's father had a heart attack Tuesday and it was like pulling teeth to get that man to the hospital.  I finally told my youngest to tell him to either get in the van and let his brother take him or she was calling 911.  After 2 hours, he finally got in the van and his brother took him to the hospital.  Men!!!  Are they all like this?  He is going to be okay.  They found some blockage and they put a stint in and he should be released from the hospital tomorrow.  Good news for him and I'm so glad everything worked out this time.  His father died of a massive heart attack during his sleep.  Heart trouble runs in their family.  At any rate, he should be just fine.....this time.  I do worry about the next if and when there is one.

    Hugs to all!  Hope you have a very uneventful Thursday with no SE's.

    Hugs!

  • Lowrider54
    Lowrider54 Member Posts: 2,721
    edited December 2011

    Wow...September chemo gals are sure having issues - what Debbie wrote could just as easily have been me.  I am so sick of the side effects and the horrid way that I feel.  My feet are the worst - it is hard to walk and I feel like I am walking on mini pillows only they are not comfortable!

    I only managed 2 rounds of Abraxane - did a scan and it wasn't working well enough for my onc so I got switched over to Xeloda.  I keep having issues with the Hemoglobin levels - had another transfusion on Monday.  I have zero energy - since this new adventure started with the hospital stay in August, I have been pretty much housebound.  I did manage to get to the wedding in September and don't ya know, the day before I was to drive, my hair started to go and it kept shedding the whole weekend - the hotel bathrrom was a hairy mess - I kept trying to make light of things so the happy occasion wouldn't end up being all about me.  It worked out well and since I had the transfusion, my energy level was not bad...I did end up taking a nap in the middle of the reception.

    Anyway - this is going to sound weird - it is nice to know I am not alone - I have these feelings...all the pains, the aches, the emotional ride - the chemo brain got so bad, we did a brain scan to be sure I had not developed any issues - clear!  I am so glad this site is here, I hadn't been on too much and last night reading through all you guys issues and discovering  that the September 2011 Chemo Group, most are having the same or very similar issues, was actually a comfort. 

    Lets all get through this...we CAN do it! 

    Hugs to all...LowRider

  • khegidio
    khegidio Member Posts: 100
    edited December 2011
    CJRT: Been a while since I have been on but I wanted to wish you the best of luck tomorrow.  I hope your surgery goes as smoothly as possible and I hope that your recovery is speedy and easier than you think.  I'll be thinking about you!!  I'm sure you will be glad to get the cancer out of you and get the surgery behind you.  Big Hugs to you and your family!!! You will do great!
  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited December 2011

    #6 done...had a docs office as hospital will not let me go there until they get paid for the other 5.  Agent called today and said it will all be taken care of ....a case manager is calling me back tomorrow.  of course she called while infusion was starting.  She will also make sure that all is in place for my rads to start on time with no hiccups.  Only 2 left to go so going to push for docs office for them as it will cost the company so much less in the long run.

    cjrt...rest well tonight and i will be thinking of you and your family for the next few days.  Be sure to follow surgeons directions about lifting things and raising your arms and start the exercises when he tells you to.  Hugs and kisses to you!  Surgery was the  "easy" part for me!  You will do well too.

    Maggie

  • CJRT
    CJRT Member Posts: 524
    edited December 2011

    Thanks for the support Kate and Mags. I really appreciate it.  Had a bit of a rough day today after getting a call from the GS saying that I wasn't cleared by the hospital because of "changes" in my EKG since one conducted 2 months ago.  I don't know why they waited 2 days to notify the GS, but luckily my GP was able to review my last 3 EKG's and apparently feels that everything is fine and that there is nothing to worry about.  I just got the confirmation about 30 minutes ago that my surgery is going to proceed as scheduled.

    Mags- I'm so sorry you went through the stress yesterday and have to deal with things now, but glad that you were able to have the treatment today and seem to have the ball rolling with getting the insurance company.

    Lowrider- So sorry that you have had such a rough time. I am glad you were able to celebrate a happy occasion but can only imagine how difficult it must've been. Hoping you start feeling better soon and am so glad about the results of your scan. Positive thoughts being sent your way...

  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2011

    Best wishes for tomorrow CJRT, your cyber sisters are with you...

  • PinkShirtNow
    PinkShirtNow Member Posts: 134
    edited December 2011

    CJRT - Good wishes for a smooth surgery and recovery.  I know we will are all pulling for you.

    Maggie -  I'm glad your infusion happened today without the drama.  Sounds like someone is working on straightening out the insurance mess so that is good news.  

     Lowrider -  Hang in there, you are definitely not alone in how you are feeling.  I think the last few weeks on this thread have proven that.

    A bright note - I am on a two-week break between taxol and AC.  I am also finished with my twice daily study medication and all the anti-nausea meds that went with it.  For the first time in months,  I feel like the fog has cleared a bit in my brain and I recognize myself again.  This gives me hope that maybe I really will still be "normal" when this journey is over and I will get back to being me again. I'm trying to use these 2 weeks to get all my Christmas stuff done and to rebuild my strength before the next round of chemo starts.  And I'm also trying not to think about it too much...

     Hugs to everyone!

  • rjbaby69
    rjbaby69 Member Posts: 349
    edited December 2011

    CJRT:  Wishing you well tomorrow my friend.  Know that all of us are with you in our thoughts and prayers.

    Maggie:  Glad to hear things are starting to get cleared up with your insurance.  Now maybe there will be no more stress as far as treatments go.  Wishing you the best!

    Lowrider:  Hanging tough my friend!  I am so glad you were able to go to the wedding even though your hair was shedding.  I know that was hard but you did a great job and I am so proud for you.  I, too, am so glad that I have found people that understand how I feel and what I'm going through.  It's not always easy to share those feelings with your grown kids or other friends.  Some of them just don't get it.

    My friend that just had surgery and was found to have colorectal (sp?) cancer went with me today to chemo.  I can officially say tx #5 is in the books!  Yeah!  I think she just needed to be reassured that chemo was "doable".  So I allowed her to follow me back to the "chair" and tuck me in and she checked on me several times during the day.  It was very nice having someone with me too.  After we got through with treatment, we went shopping and had a blast.  We went out to eat and ran into some other folks from our little town that was in the big city.  It was really nice to visit with everyone.

    Did have a change pulled on me today.  When I got there, the nurse told me that the insurance company is now saying that there has to be 25 hours between chemo infusion and the neulasta shot.  So when I usually go back early in the morning and can make both bus runs, now I will have to go back at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow and I will miss 1/2 day of office and 1/2 day of bus.  I do hate it when they change the rules!  But at least this will only afffect this treatment cause my next treatment is December 22 and we will be on Christmas Break.

    Hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow with NO SE's!

    Hugs to you all!

  • belleeast
    belleeast Member Posts: 653
    edited December 2011

    hi everyone,

    saw mo today,labs are good wbc is high 26.9 normal is 3.4 to 9.4 guess the neulesta shot worked lol. got a script for percocet 5-325 mg 1 or 2 every 6 hrs hope it works.

    cjrt, positive thoughts and prayers for tomorrow headed your way.

    maggie, so glad they are getting things straightened out.

    lowrider, you are definately not alone, hugs to you.

    pinkshirt, enjoy your break.

    rj, sorry to hear about your youngest father, he'll probably feel a lot better now that the blockage is gone.

    hugs to everyone!!

  • cooka
    cooka Member Posts: 278
    edited December 2011

    Sending positive thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery your way CJRT!

    congrats on getting number 6 done Maggie:) 

  • Kelliregi
    Kelliregi Member Posts: 138
    edited December 2011

    CJRT - Sending gentile hugs and best wishes for a speedy recovery!

    Maggie- I'm so glad you got your treatment. I hope the insurance mess gets straightened out quickly.

    Lowrider - We're in this together! Sening hugs. xxx 

  • CJRT
    CJRT Member Posts: 524
    edited December 2011

    I can't thank you guys enough! This group has been such an amazing support for me and aI appreciate all of you women so much. I'm off to get the last minute things together and will update you after when I am up to it. I hope everyone has a relaxing, minimal side-effect weekend. Hugs...

  • Jerseylicious
    Jerseylicious Member Posts: 44
    edited December 2011

    Hi girls!! Been away for awhile and still need to catch up on posts..the last post I had was about my hives..which ended up putting me in the HOSPITAL for a week!  The quick story is that next day I developed a fever, called my oncologist, who otold me to go to the ER.  So, getting ready to go I passed out twice...which never happened to me before and was really scary.  Anyway, they admitted me and after 5 days, the team of doctors decided it was a crazy virus that I caught because my resistance was so low from chemo.  So, symptoms were crazy out of control hives all over my body, fever up to 105.6 (the highest), low blood pressure and really high WBC count...which confused everyone bc they didn't know what to make of it after considering that I had a Neulasta shot just 7 days before.  They treated me with mega steroids and antibiotics (before they decided it was a virus).  And they finally let me come home yesterday.

     So here's the thing.....I know that now I''m done with chemo, I'm 3 weeks past my last treatment and I made it all the way thru, but now I'm just so scared I'm gonna keep getting sick.  I used to be one of those people who never got sick, and now it seems like I'm afraid of everything...and like I will always be......that sick lady.  Please tell me this will go away and I''m just in some kind of Post traumatic stress from the whole thing.  

    I just want us all to get our lives back.  Love to u all.

  • belleeast
    belleeast Member Posts: 653
    edited December 2011

    jersey,OMG girl you have been thru the wringer. so glad you are ok. i think it will go away eventually,it is just going to take time for us to recover from everything. our bodies, minds and emotions have been thru h*ll,but it will get better,i promise! as they say one day at a time!

  • Kimberly1961
    Kimberly1961 Member Posts: 407
    edited December 2011

    Jersey, Glad you are better.....and now I don't feel so bad about being paranoid when my counts tanked out before Thanksgiving.

  • PinkShirtNow
    PinkShirtNow Member Posts: 134
    edited December 2011

    Jersey - how awful! Glad you are feeling better and home from the hospital.  That must have been some virus!  No one would blame you (or any of us) for having a touch of PTSD.  I think it just takes time to regain the strength that gets knocked out of us during chemo.  Take care of yourself.

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited December 2011

    Oh Jersey...so aweful for you...get better and I hope this never happens again.

    Maggie

  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2011

    Jersey, I am so sorry that happened to you.  I am also wondering when I will quit looking for physical effects from the chemo.  I am 5 wks PFC and my fingernails are still deteriorating, my stamina is for crap, my skin is still dry as a bone, I haven't started perspiring again yet (I could live with that not coming back!) and my taste buds are still screwed up.  I am so craving a big tall glass of Diet Pepsi but right now it tastes like peppery motor oil.  I have become impatient with my recovery from chemo but have to remember on a daily basis that "this too shall pass".  Hang in there, we are all here for you.

  • Kimberly1961
    Kimberly1961 Member Posts: 407
    edited December 2011

    Karen - Tried the turmeric and pepper this morning mixed with a little sour cream and mayo, trying for a vegetable dip or perhaps a sauce for chicken sandwich.  Not bad.  Plan on replacing sour cream with something healthier like greek yogurt and maybe adding some other flavors (little onion, garlic, horseradish, or dill) and see how those work. If this makes me eat more fresh vegetables and chicken, I guess that's a bonus too. Actually I like vegetables, it's just that I've always loved them with salt, butter, and cheese, not so much just plain.  I am also going to try the oriental market a few blocks from my house and see if they carry fresh root. Thanks for the turmeric tip.  It seems promising, and even if it doesn't work on cancer, maybe it will still help my joints. 

Categories