Starting chemo Sept 05

Options
14748505253103

Comments

  • tinkermax
    tinkermax Member Posts: 269
    edited April 2006
    Leanne

    I hope you felt all the loving, healing, positive thoughts being sent to you..

    I felt a real closeness to all my sept sisters as i lit a candle, then prayed...i could envisage heaven receiving all our prayers at once...and all our positive thoughts winging there way around the world on there journey to you.

    Know that you are loved my friend

    Maxine
  • Pegk
    Pegk Member Posts: 389
    edited April 2006
    I made it a point to be outside tonight at 6:00pm. I was walking my dog through the neighborhood feeling the early spring ruffling my new hair (all 1 inch worth) and listening to the peepers (baby frogs, I think, in the pond across the street.) The last day before Daylight Savings Time begins, the sun was low in the sky. It's been pretty cloudy all day, but the clouds parted for a bit, casting an orange glow.
    I thought of you, Leanne, in a quiet peaceful place, outside perhaps, or maybe by a window feeling the warmth of that same sun rising in the east as it sets in the west, here in NY.
    Feel the prayers, the positive thoughts, and encouragement for you and your little boys who need you.
    Be strong!
    Love, Peggy
  • Pegk
    Pegk Member Posts: 389
    edited April 2006
    To the rest of my September Sisters,
    I thought of all of you, too.
    I hope the rest of you Aussie gals are having a peaceful Sunday morning. Michelle, you said you'd be in church at this time. What a great place to be.
    Nicole, you must be almost through with your rads in Sydney, right? I'm sure you're looking forward to getting home.
    Sandra, it's past midnight, so your birthday is over now, but I'll celebrate for you for a few more hours. I think I'll have some ice cream in your honor tonight.
    Maxine and Leizel, I hope you're sleeping peacefully.
    Those of you in my time zone, I hope you enjoyed the sunset and have a great evening.
    Hopeful and Coffeepot, now I know where you're from! says the lady with the atlas on her lap.
    Tina, I've said a special prayer for you for improvement on your heart and the continuation of your chemo. Good for you on roller skates. I just might have to go look for mine. I have the old fashioned 4 wheels in a rectangle kind, but I used to be pretty good.
    Marg, you suggested you might have a story to tell us. I hope it's good news, not bad.
    As the sun is moving to the west, I hope Calico, Barb, Lisa and anybody else out west has a good evening.
    Don't forget to set your clocks ahead tonight.
    I'll be getting up early tomorrow morning to meet our fearless leader, Dr. Marisa Weiss, for a walk in Central Park. I'll be taking you all along with me.
    Love, Peggy
  • marg1
    marg1 Member Posts: 73
    edited April 2006
    Hi Everyone,

    Sandra -- Happy Birthday!! I hope that you had a great one.

    Maxine -- I am to have my ooph in the next 2 weeks. I am glad your test were clear.

    Michelle -- It was great to hear from you. I miss you!!!

    Leanne, I continue to pray for you every night. I pray that God gives you peace.

    I have had a great month after chemo. My last weekend (this past weekend) I spent on a beautiful beach house with my hubby and friends. My fingers and toes are still numb from the taxol but I am managing. I am still taking Nuerontin twice a day for the numbness, I read that it also helps reduce hot flashes, which I am going to need since I will be put in menopause fast. I had a f/u with my onc and she suggested that she start me on tamoxifen and some injections to put my ovaries to "sleep" -- I asked why not just have the oopherectomy I am tired of putting stuff in my body -- She said okay have the ooph and she will start me on Arimidex after that. I meet with my doc back home and he said that the wanted to do a total hysterectomy and that he did not do laproscopic procedures. I called my onc at MD and she said NOOOOO -- come here to have the oopherectomy via lap. So now I have to go back to Houston to get my ooph done there. I was bummed that I have to be away again but.......since the BC nothing really gets to me anymore.

    Now here is a story, when I first got dx with BC I always felt that it was for a purpose. Remember zero support group done here in south tx. I posted on the open discussion if any one was from south tx. I got a lot of responses but now from south tx. Then one day I got a response from a woman that lives 15 minutes from my home. That same week I meet a woman who is 41 and just dx with BC. I had lunch with Monica -- the newly dx and I was giving her the low down on BC. Her tumor 4.5cm. I feel for her since she is just starting what I just finished. I plan to be her support buddy. Then having lunch the next day with Yvonne, who is 11 months out of chemo. It was weird being in between these lovely ladies. Yvonne is so nice and encouraging. I found my support buddy in Yvonne. Funny how things work.

    I start work tomorrow. Wait til I tell my boss -- Hi I'm back -- except I need to be out here and there for this and that. I hope that she is cool. I think she will be -- I need a PAYCHECK!!!!!!!


    Hope all is well with everyone else.

    Love all of you -- My Sept Sister is all I had through this entire ordeal and I could not have made it with out you. Thank you --- Marg
  • AussieMum
    AussieMum Member Posts: 124
    edited April 2006
    Yesterday was a beautiful Autumn day - crisp, cool morning; warm day. I sat in a church full of friends singing praises, and I prayed for you Leanne - and for all of us on this journey.

    And this is my prayer (first put on the site by Marg, what seems like a lifetime ago!)

    Faith instead of fear
    Health instead of sickness
    Hope instead of despair
    Peace instead of worry
  • Liezel
    Liezel Member Posts: 192
    edited April 2006
    Sorry I missed your Birthday Sandra. Hope it was good!!

    Did the world not feel incredibly small at 01h00 am on Sunday morning. It was a warm evening, and I actually went outside and looked up the stars - praying for Leeanne in Oz, and thinking of all you ladies, all with the same thoughts in our minds at exactly the same time. It felt as if we could change the world at that exact time... Would it not be wonderfull. I'll immediately banish all types of cancer and child abuse!!

    I expected to get back to "normal" sooner than this after chemo ended. I am really surprised at all the unexpected aches and pains. They all pass, but it is still a very unpleasant reminder of the last few months. But I am slowly starting to get my energy back - and now rads. Helps me to know I am still fighting this thing and not just waiting...

    I am going to try in the next few days to get a picture up. I have been avoiding cameras completely, but I'll ask hubby to take a pic of me with my very short, dull hair.

    Marg, glad you met some buddies close by, and good luck with work today!! Let us know how it goes...

    Have a good week ladies. Thinking of all of you.
  • sholroyd
    sholroyd Member Posts: 288
    edited April 2006
    It was a wonferful, wonderful feeling meeting up from all over the world, especially for our Leanne - I got goose bumps and full eyes and still do when I think of the experience.

    I am so tired of going for rads every day - only had 4. My day is consisting of travelling on the train the the hospital and then resting when I get home cos it is so tiring - great social life isn't it. Oh well one has to do what one has to do.

    Hubby and I are going to York for a few days over Easter - he has to take me to hospital on our return journey ;-)

    Off to bed now for another early start in the morning.

    Sandra from the UK
  • lynellb123
    lynellb123 Member Posts: 69
    edited April 2006
    Hello My September sisters, Today was my first day back at work (school)& I'm feeling pretty good. I have a lighter teaching load, so I'm easing back into the world of work. I had a wonderful outing on Sunday, I met with some cybersisters, Marisa Weiss & Marilyn Machlowitz in Central Park. The day was glorious & the park is so very beautiful this time of year. Our fearless leader Peg, was there & it is always a treat to get to see her. Some gals thought Peg & I were old friends, but I explained that we only knew each other through our September thread. Well the ladies were very impressed with the solidarity of the September sisters as am I.

    I met some lovely ladies on holiday from Australia. I also learned the equivalency of a "stone". So from here on in its only about 2 stone that I want to lose.(It sounds so much more attainable than 25 pounds!) Wishing everyone a great week, don't know if I'll be posting as often. Please know that you are all in my thoughts & prayers!
  • watertchr
    watertchr Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2006
    Hi all, I'm a newbie dx: IDC 3/06. I start chemo 4/19/06
    (A&C)then Taxol & Herceptin. While I enjoyed reading your postings and love the messages to each other, I'd love some info from current/recently started chemo gals as I'm a bit nervous. Have appts for a port and a wig, have looked up massive amounts of info but would like some REAL info (like drinking lots of water the first few days after). The scoop on me: 48, pre-men, married w/3 kids, fitness instr. living in Chgo area. Anybody out there?
  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited April 2006
    Sending Water a PM so she can find an April Group and have a support system.



    *susan*
  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited April 2006
    <<It was a wonferful, wonderful feeling meeting up from all over the world, especially for our Leanne - I got goose bumps and full eyes and still do when I think of the experience.

    >>



    Sandra, I could not have said that any more beautifully. And Peg's post above also brought tears to my eyes.

    And Lynell and Peg walking together in Central Park. It is all so amazing isn't it?



    Except for our shared diagnosis, we are a group of random women, and yet, we have become so close. This is why it is so important that water find her own group.



    Still fighting the fatigue here. I am asleep for as many hours as I am awake. This is getting old really quickly!



    Spent the weekend performing, but the best part was spending Friday night with my daughter. We went to her favorite restaurant and ate pasta while I listened to this totally happy girl tell me all of her wonderful news.



    These are the moments that make the early teenage years worth it!



    *susan*
  • tornadogirl
    tornadogirl Member Posts: 133
    edited April 2006
    Hi all! Walked today with a girl from my radiation therapy.

    Tomorrow, I walk with Kathy who I met here on the board.

    I have that fatigue also! Did not expect it either. And achey hips and sometimes shoulder problems. I hope all this goes away and we get lot better by May or June!

    After walking for more than 15 minues I usually have to take a nap. It is not easy!
  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited April 2006
    Barb,

    So glad to hear that you have found some folks to walk and talk with. I try to walk every day, but don't have a buddy to walk with which slows me down. Unlike Peggy, I don't have central park waiting for me!

    Take care,

    *susan*
  • leannem
    leannem Member Posts: 137
    edited April 2006
    Hi ladies

    Wow. I was so overcome with emotion reading this thread that I broke into sobs. Thank you so so much for your efforts,thoughts and prayers. I am speechless and so very touched and humbled.

    Unfortunately the day after my last chemo saw me admitted to hospital for a week- I just got out tonight so am still alittle under the weather so will write more shortly.

    i love you all

    xoxox
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited April 2006
    Leanne,
    I'm so sorry to hear that, how are you doing??
    I hope you are feeling better!!!...sending hugs and prayers!!!

    God Bless
  • Pegk
    Pegk Member Posts: 389
    edited April 2006
    I'm so sorry to hear that you were hospitalized, Leanne.
    Those must be some tough drugs that they're giving you. I pray that they're doing their job to conquer the beast.
    I hope you get some good days before you have to start again.
    Thinking of you, always.
    Peggy
  • Pegk
    Pegk Member Posts: 389
    edited April 2006
    I just checked into the picture forum and saw some great pictures of Lynell, Calico, and AussieMum Michelle that I hadn't seen before.
    If you haven't been there lately, take a moment to smile, September Sisters, and check it out.

    I had 2 biopsies done today on some skin spots. I'm really not worried, but I had made the appointment to get my skin checked when I was bald. Unfortunately, one of the suspicious spots the dermatolgist discovered was on my head. I was more worried that she would wreck my new precious hair, but she did a good job (so I'm told, because I can't see back there) of keeping the damage minimal.

    Hope you're all doing well.
    Love,
    Peggy
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited April 2006
    Peggy,
    I hope the spots are nothing. Good thing you are on top of everything.
    Praying for good results!!!

    God Bless
  • lynellb123
    lynellb123 Member Posts: 69
    edited April 2006
    Leanne Sorry to hear you were hospitalized, hope you're feeling a little stronger every day.What landed you in the hospital, were your blood counts low? Rest as much as you can, and know that we are all praying for you to pull through this. Hugs and prayers are being offered for you from New Jersey.

    Peg, when will you know about your biopsy? Please keep us posted, but don't worry, I'm sure that it will be ok. A little prayer is being said for you as well.
  • leannem
    leannem Member Posts: 137
    edited April 2006
    Hello my lovely friends

    Feeling much better today thankyou. A little tired and washed out but better than a week ago!

    When I went for chemo my blood count was very low but my onc decided to go ahead anyway. Well that evening I started getting a slight fever and so much pain that it was excruiating! I was crying, couldn't walk or move and so miserable. Me being silly me thought I just needed a good nights sleep!!

    Anyway, next day the pain was slightly better but fever was up. Phoned my onc nurse to ask her opinion who said come straight to ER. Was admitted there with pain and fever.

    2 days in the ER (no onc beds) and I finally got 'upstairs' to the onc ward. (This is after an allergic reation to 2 drugs, not pretty). My veins had all collapsed by Sat night so 4 drs and 1 aenethatist (sp?) who all up tried 12 times in my arm and 2 in my feet... they gave up. Dr wanted to take me to ICU to insert a catheter into my neck (!!) luckily ICU couldn't do it! Next morning had a pic line inserted in arm temporarily until I am well enough to go under general anesthetic for a port.

    All in all they have boiled it down to some kind of nasty infection that was able to get such a big hold on me due to my low original blood count. Funny thing is, on discharge they were lower than when I was admitted so now I have to be super careful for a few days.

    So happy to be home with my family. My eldest hasn't left my side and my youngest is slowly forgiving me for leaving him for so long!

    I have to have a couple of blood tests before next chemo (Wednesday) to see if I am up to it. My onc is very aggressive so is really pushing for it. I have not really been scared of heading into chemo before but I am so worried about getting so sick again.

    Love to you all
    xoxoxo
  • Liezel
    Liezel Member Posts: 192
    edited April 2006
    Dear Leanne,

    Glad to hear you are back home, sorry to hear about your horrible time. I can not even begin to imagine what your life is like now. Hope you have someone who can help with the kids. Are you getting Herceptin with your chemo as well?

    The port will make your life so much easier!! It is horrible to look at, but it is my best friend. No more needles!!!

    Please look after yourself. And please keep us updated. I think of you every day, and include you in my prayers and tears.

    Love to you and your family....

    Liezel
  • AussieMum
    AussieMum Member Posts: 124
    edited April 2006
    Thinking of us all

    www.theinterviewwithgod.com

    click on the link then view presentation

    Michelle
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited April 2006
    Oh Leanne,
    sounds like an awful time you had to me (didn't expect it to be fun anyway).
    I'm glad you can be with your family again and I pray really hard that you are up to the next chemo and all goes well.
    God Bless
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited April 2006
    Michelle,
    that's beautiful, you should post this in the inspiration thread to share with all.
    I will forward this to my friends, thank you for sharing!

    God Bless
  • Pegk
    Pegk Member Posts: 389
    edited April 2006
    Michelle,
    What beautiful sentiments are on that website. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Leanne,
    When is your chemo on Wednesday? Now that I'm aware of the time zones I figure that if you're getting it in the morning it's Tuesday afternoon here in NY. I hope you'll feel the mental encouragement from everybody here and it doesn't affect you so harshly.
    Love,
    Peggy
  • sholroyd
    sholroyd Member Posts: 288
    edited April 2006
    Leanne – you still sound perky in your writing even though you are going through so much. We are all feeling like your Onc – aggressive, so what with him and us all behind you – what chance has this ‘thing’ got ;-) I know what you mean about the veins - I started to feel like a pincushion – it will be much better when you have the port. When you go for your next Chemo, close your eyes and try and visual each one of us sending a big smile and a thumbs up to you.

    Peg, I am sorry to read you have something else to worry about. Actually I asked to see my Onc when I went for radiotherapy on Friday – this is really embarrassing – I have noticed 2 brown patches of skin on my bottom (one of each cheek). I saw my Onc’s understudy and she said they were nothing to worry about and were ‘just one of those things’ – I haven’t noticed them before??

    Michelle, thank you for sharing the link – I have sent this to a couple of my friends here – hope you don’t mind?

    Nothing much to report on my progress. Radiotherapy seems to be going OK. I am beginning to get a bit fretful about my MRI results – haven’t heard anything. Results will depend on whether or not I get Herceptin – might ring on Monday. My hair is coming on slowly, quite even and a nice colour (sort of strawberry blond). I will look at the site and maybe post a progress piccie in a week or two.

    Going to York for a few days from next Sunday – looking forward to this although it is still quite cold her in the UK, however we do have signs of spring, a little sunshine, lots of daffodils and of course the lambs, although they seem to be being born earlier and earlier in the year.

    I am glad I am not going back to college after Easter – they have inspection!! Everyone is running around like headless chickens and I can just feel the stress here in Tamworth. It seems to me that they are more intent on the statistics looking good and the notice boards looking pretty than actually ensuring the learners get taught! Oh I get sooooo frustrated with red-tape stuff.

    Speak soon.

    Sandra from the UK.
  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited April 2006
    Hi all...

    Just flying through. Gosh, I read this thread every day, and think of you each daily, but I am so tired after working for just a few hours that I don't have the energy to write a darn thing.

    My one good piece of news is that I have been asked to perform in a real chamber music concert in June! Real music with musicians I love and respect tremendously. I do hope that this helps jump start my optimism again! :-)

    Take care,

    *susan*
  • Liezel
    Liezel Member Posts: 192
    edited April 2006
    That is amazing Susan!! Enjoy it!

    Peggy, do you have any news on those skin spots yet?

    Sandra, enjoy your time in York.

    I started radiation yesterday. Quick and painless. Just glad to have started. My onc also drained the fluid buil up in my Axilla. What a relief. I could not believe how much fluid she took out!!

    Went camping this weekend with DH and son! A lot of fun, just getting very cold at night! While most of you are going into spring, we are preparing for a cold and rainy winter. Luckily we don't get any snow in Cape Town!

    Work is really going well after the worries I had at the start of the year. Just waiting to hear about a small group (huge budget) that will travel to either the Okavango in Botswana or the Seychelles. This will be in July/August, when most of my treatment will be done. I'll just have to fit it in around my Herceptin and 1 Year mammogram follow up! Can't wait....

    Keep well ladies!!

    Liezel
  • hopeful1
    hopeful1 Member Posts: 54
    edited April 2006
    Hello Everyone!

    Susan - good for you! It's so nice to hear that you will be doing something you enjoy so much. I wish the same for everyone here!

    Leizel - good luck with radiation. Hopefully you'll sail through it with no problems.

    I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a short Spring Break trip to some of the beautiful Kentucky state parks. The weather here is beautiful - really looking forward to some outdoor time.

    Happy Easter to all!
  • foxxf
    foxxf Member Posts: 171
    edited April 2006
    Hi all

    Good news, I have my last radiotherapy appt tomorrow at 9am and will be heading off on the 6hr drive home soon after that.

    The radio has gone well although I do have a painful burn near my collar bone. It feels more like a stinging gravel rash than a burn though. I have lots of cream and dressings for it which I am able to do myself so all is O.K.

    My family was here in Sydney for the past 2wks and we had lots of fun taking the children out and about. My little boy was most excited to catch the trains in Sydney, he had the whole carrage laughing for how excited he was about their daily commute...lol.

    I am very pleased to be heading home, just to sleep in my own bed will be wonderful.

    Leanne- I think of you every day,(((((hugs and wishes)))))

    Thankyou to all who have thought of me during this time, It turned out to be much harder than I thought but I got through it....

    best wishes to all
    Love
    Nicole

Categories