Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

Chemo class...No one from my ONC told me about that, or LAURIELOOMIS did you sign up for a class at a support center? Sure would like to take a class, will have to check that out.



3MOMSTMAMA, u r right! I'm learning so much here.... Today writing down all the foods for mouths sores..I already have Refux so I'm worried about nausea...going to take whatever I can to fight nausea!



I've taken anxiety med for years for sleeping issues, highly recommend it! That so helped me get through my Mastectomy...Nurses family and friends keep saying you are so strong. I keep thinking it was my happy pill or maybe it's what KELLOGGS said earlier, don't know how else to handle it, can't get out of this one! So trying to keep up a good attitude! Pet scan tomorrow.

If you didn't see this on the Tonight show, I hope you're sitting down
when you read it. This is probably the funniest date story ever, first
date or not!!! We have all had bad dates but this takes the cake.

Jay Leno went into the audience to find the most embarrassing first
date that a woman ever had. The winner described her worst first date
experience.

There was absolutely no question as to why her tale took the prize!

She said it was midwinter...Snowing and quite cold... and the guy had
taken her skiing in the mountains outside Salt Lake City , Utah .

It was a day trip (no overnight). They were strangers, after all, and
had never met before. The outing was fun but relatively uneventful
until they were headed home late that afternoon.

They were driving back down the mountain, when she gradually began to
realize that she should not have had that extra latte. ! ! They were
about an hour away from anywhere with a rest room and in the middle of
nowhere! Her companion suggested she try to hold it, which she did for
a while. Unfortunately, because of the heavy snow and slow going,
there came a point where she told him that he had better stop and let
her go beside the road, or it would be the front seat of his car.

They stopped and she quickly crawled out beside the car, yanked her
pants down and started. In the deep snow she didn't have good footing,
so she let her butt rest against the rear fender to steady herself.
Her companion stood on the side of the car watching for traffic and
indeed was a real gentleman and refrained from peeking. All she could
think about was the relief she felt despite the rather embarrassing
nature of the situation.

Upon finishing however, she soon became aware of another sensation. As
she bent to pull up her pants, the young lady discovered her buttocks
were firmly glued against the car's fender. Thoughts of tongues frozen
to poles immediately came to mind as she attempted to disengage her
flesh from the icy metal.. It was quickly apparent that she had a
brand new problem, due to the extreme cold.

Horrified by her plight and yet aware of the humor of the moment,
she answered her date's concerns about' what is taking so long' with a
reply that indeed, she was 'freezing her butt off' and in need of some
assistance! He came around the car as she tried to cover herself with
her sweater and then, as she looked imploringly into his eyes, he
burst out laughing. She too, got the giggles and when they finally
managed to compose themselves, they assessed her dilemma. Obviously,
as hysterical as the situation was, they also were faced with a real
problem.

Both agreed it would take something hot to free her chilly cheeks from
the grip of the icy metal! Thinking about what had gotten her into the
predicament in the first place, both quickly realized that there was
only one way to get her free. So, as she looked the other way, her
first time date proceeded to unzip his pants and pee her butt off the
fender.

As the audience screamed in laughter, she took the Tonight Show
prize hands down. Or perhaps that should be 'pants down'. And you
thought your first date was embarrassing. Jay Leno's comment... 'This
gives a whole new meaning to being pissed off.'

Oh and how did the first date turn out? He became her husband and was
sitting next to her on the Leno show.

If you laughed at this pass it on.

Well, things didn't exactly go as I had thought today. Instead of it being first day of chemo I actually had a consultation. I wasn't the only one who thought it would happen today because they had even prepared my port for it. Which didn't hurt, much to my relief. (Wasn't sure) 

Instead we just went back over my diagnosis. I was orginally told my tumor was 1.9 cm, found out it's actually 2.6 cm, to me that's a big difference and I was shocked.

Will be given Adramycin and Cytoxan every 2 weeks for 4 treatments and recieve a shot of Neulasta day after each treatment. Then Taxol every 2 weeks for 4 treatments. They are trying to get me scheduled for an Echo this week to begin my chemo next week. 

So found out the tumor is bigger and they decided to change the treatment plan/drugs than what was first told to me. I don't know whether to be relieved or upset. Think I just want to get this behins me....

Okay, I've had a chance to catch up a bit.

rcm - This is a stressful time. Take the time you need to absorb it, and you'll find your 'own' way to deal with everything, like what to do when you lose your hair. I don't think I'll do a shaving party, but when I went to get my hair cut short, I dressed up. I'm sure you'll do fine.

momof3boys - It's good that things are moving so quickly, even though it's mindblowing. Do keep the exercise up - were you offered PT after surgery? I didn't lose any weight after surgery, but I had a lot of meals brought over by friends, and cookie baskets, so that didn't help. But I'm still about the same. My onc warned me about possible weight gain but didn't say it would be bad. They should take your vitals each time, so there may be some time to adjust. It's great that you have a good relationship with your onc.

RachelsLife - Welcome to another Rachel! Though I am sorry you have to go through all this. This board is truly great, and you'll benefit from all the advice. I think this helps us prepare for what's ahead.

To all the moms - I give you all extra kudos. I can't imagine going through this while having children to care for - both in terms of their day-to-day needs, and helping them dealing with what you're going through. I have so much respect for those of you who must be extra strong to go through this with a family.

Julie - Thanks for that story!!!  I hope we all have men (or find them) in our lives like that guy.

Keepnfaith - I'm sorry you're facing that delay. It is scary when the tumor winds up being bigger, but it's good that you're getting chemo first. I waited over 2 months for surgery, in which time my tumor went from 1.7 to 3.2, with no chemo until now. But they'll get you going on your treatment and I'm sure  you'll be fine.

mardibra - Good luck with tomorrow. And have a great time with your party! I haven't decided what I'll do, though my hairdresser is willing to come to my home if I want to shave my head.

Terry71 - Glad to hear surgery went well, and that the pain is minimal. And 1 drain! You'll have that one out in no time!

seacretgardn - Thanks for the wishes. And don't push yourself. We all are reacting differently to this. Try to do little things as you can, grabbing bits of 'normal,' but listen to your body. I learned that big time after surgery.

Day 2 for me has gone okay. I took the Tylenol and Claritan as directed, and so far no problem with Neulasta, though that might show up tomorrow. I worked 3 hours this morning, then Mom picked me up and drove me for the shot. I did take one of the additional anti-nausea meds when my stomach got a little noticeable (in addition to my last Decadron and the Emend this morning), but so far, so good. Taste is okay still, but I have gotten a few weird messages from my tongue, so I'm wondering if that will be the first to go. Waiting for my boyfriend to get off the phone - the plan is ice cream, movie and then bed (later than I should, I suppose. I'm an unrepentent nightowl, and it sounds like chemo will make that even worse!)

Okay, I've written enough for a book. To everyone - one day at a time. We'll make it through.

It's good that you can use the gym and swim.

I chose my PS in part because he had me see a PT before my bmx, and I'm seeing him now (shoot! Almost forgot today's stretches). I lost about 10 lbs a few years back, which for me was a lot because I'm under 5', but about 8 have come back since then. I hope I can get back there some time. But I still was an okay weight - probably should be 5 or 10 lbs lighter to be in a better position. I also had to stop fencing a few years ago when my knee started giving me trouble, which is probably why the weight came back (in fat, not muscle). Let's hope for the best as we make it though chemo - on to better and healthier! 

Keepnfaith, that same thing happen to me with tumor sizes ( MRI wouldn't work so it took 3 hrs. to complete the test) The test said I had a 8cm tumor, thats what the surgeon told me who did my Mastectomy. Turn out to be two smaller tumors. So many things have change on me. First they told no radiation now my ONC called me this week and said they had a meeting and I will have Radiation after chemo.. REALLY!!!! So what are we suppose to do say NO! So here we are venting! Don't be upset what is the difference, no such thing as having a little cancer...One big tumor, or two smaller ones cancer is cancer!

Oh yes, the reason I have to have radiation now is because my 3 nodes are a lot bigger then they thought. I will win this!! They can change there minds all they want, but I'm keepnfaith!!!



You girls that just had Mastectomy, PLEASE Take it easy. I felt not to bad at all the first week. The second week it hit me hard! Heal fast!

Nighty night





Nighty

Keepnfaith



You will have fun tomorrow sounds great! When I have done the same thing with my family, that helps so much not to think about it!!! I have been getting so silly with my family, to make them laugh.

One nice thing coming out of this, is I laugh more with my family and we have become so much closer! I love that fact.. I have been doing crazy things to them. Nurses and staff as well! I never feel like I did my job, in less I have a tech and anyone around me laughing..maybe it's not good for a 58 yr old to be silly, but things are flying out of my mouth I thought I would never say!


< /MARKAT, sorry about your headaches, a trip to the ER had to scare you!! Maybe in time they will fade. Are you able to take tylenol? Or something for the headaches...sleep well!

Laughter through tears. One of the best emotions!

Yes Maryhope I was very scared!  I had talked myself in to every other possible horrible thing besides cancer that a person could have.  Hopefully for the next tx this wont happen.  It might be the Herceptin causing it, who knows.

Good luck today Mardibra!  Hope the SE's aren't bad!

 Rachelvk I hope you feel good today!  

I am now 11 days out from TCH.  I'm feeling great besides the headache  This neo adjuvant therapy is different.  I technically don't have a concrete stage yet because I haven't had any surgery.  They staged me at IIb because according to petscan and MRI my tumor is 4.6cm and I have 1 lymphnode that affected.  After my chemo I will decide if I want a lumpectomy or masectomy.  I'm leaning towards BMX.  

Emotions are crazy.  I go from laughing to crying all the time.  I think the Ativan helps with the laughing though.  

Mammabee - eat the ice ream with one hand and wash the windows with the other!



Had my second AC today. Uneventful for the most part. They did change my Emend from pill form to IV. So no Emend pills tomorrow and Saturday. Just woke up from a 4 hour nap. Kind of shocking given all the steroids they gave me! I will likely be up all night so some cleaning will be happening. Maybe my stomach will accept some ice cream chocolate Haagen Daz.



My brother and sister-in-law who live out of state are going to join my "hair be gone" party via Skype so we can share a margarita....virtually anyway. Getting buzzed for my buzzing!



Happy thoughts to all!



Christine

capinva...so glad you're doing well! I hope all your SE's are minimal

Had a pretty good day....yesterday I was a sobbing mess..the up & down emotions are exhausting! Tomorrow's Friday, looking forward to the weekend

mardibra....have a good time at your hair shaving party,  I guess I should be planning mine soon too

Laurie - sorry for emotional swings. That must be tough.



The other ladies on this board provided invaluable advice on when to expect hair loss to begin. Just as they sai, it started on day 12 nd by today, day 15, it was coming out in clumps. Hair everywhere! For cleanliness issues alone, it has to go! So wether it's a social event or a private event you will figure out what is right for you.



Today i bought one of those baseball hats with the hair attached to it. Figured it would be good for quick errands where wearing Esmarelda might be too much. It not an exact hair match but it's close enough. Doesn't need to look like my hair just needs to look like hair.