March 2012 chemo

tellie-I am opting for BMX instead of UMX, my decision. Odds are too great and I don't want to go through multiple biopsies at every mammo visit and dread the worst. For me, best to just zap 'em both off and get implants. I'm looking into those gummy ones and will ask my PS when I visit next time.

I'm on day 3 of TX4 and am tired, tired, tired and have taken my nausea med this a.m. 

Shera-Nice warrior woman you've got there. Thanks for posting her strength for us!

On a funny, weird note about cravings, I had a craving for McD's filet o' fish last night and DH dutifully went out for one (sans tarter sauce). I hadn't had or wanted one of those for probably 15 years. I picked at it but it did taste good. So weird the cravings that come,almost a bit like pregnancy. WTH?

Nsmolen-  As you know we had similar size tumors and rapid growth.  My ONC has had me on Taxotere, Adrcamycin, and cytoxan.  I have had 3 rds (last one just yesterday) I have seen some shrinkage.  Hopefully the added Taxotere will help you.  Looking at the different "cocktails" out there they should find something that works for you.  My thoughts are with you. 

Ktlb04- Heck we, as most D&D players< make fun of ourselves as geeks.  Anyone who can freely quote Monty Python's Holy Grail has to have a sense of humor about themselves.  Look up Stephan Lynch's song D&D on you tube, we often play that before a game, it is pretty funny, your husband should relate to it as well. 

http://youtu.be/QgOB7VWjlSQ

Speaking of Stephan Lynch- most of his stuff is pretty raunchy, although the D&D song is pretty tame, but I would recomend him for a laugh.  His Dr. Stephan song cracks me up everytime.

tellie - oh dear... "We can't take him like that - it's against regulations!" 

Sadly, I probably could quote you the whole script to Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  In fact, until I decided to take Bridesmaids, I *was* going to take MPATHG to watch during my first treatment.

As I confessed last week, I am officially out of the geek closet - and not embarrassed to admit it!   

On the other hand, however, while I did hang out with some medieval re-enactors back in my college days, I never have done D&D - just got together with my buddy at the time while *her* DH got his D&D fix.  

nsmolen- Sorry to hear the news.  My prayers and thoughts are with you.

nsmolen - Lifting you up in prayer right now!

For everyone else I am just getting ready to get my 2nd TCH on Monday.  The first infusion I am happy to say I did not have that many side effects.  In fact I almost feel bad that I didn't!  But I wanted to hear from you gals did your side effects worsen with each infusion?  I still have my hair but my scalp feels funny so I guess it is just a matter of time. 

I am very nervous about Monday and what to expect as far as will this time be worse than the first time or it will be the same!?!!  So glad I have a group of people to come bounce questions off of!  Thanks!!! 

Corky I had more side effects from the Nuelasta also!  I felt like I had the flu: joint aches, headache, fatigue really bad! 

connief- I have found chocolate is still good.  I put cocoa in my coffee to make it drinkable.  Chocolate ice cream, good.  Popsickles are good also, which is strange because I haven't really enjoyed them since childhood.  Taste does return between TX's, at least for me, they are 3 weeks apart.

Corky

connief

For some reason for me sugar/chocolate tastes fine.  I know its not the best solution but I enjoyed some banana bread the last couple of days.  I'm a salt lover and it tastes just gross to me the first few days after TX so I can't use it for flavour at all.  A weird thing I actually enjoy and my Mom used to make it for us for lunch when we were kids, is left over mashed potatoes (I like mashing spinach into mine).  Fry it it just a tablespoon of butter in a pan, then put a soft fried egg or poached egg over top.  Kind of like a warm potato salad and at least you get the 3 food groups. I actually had it the last two days for lunch and today I made perogies.  Bland but fill you up.

Well, things aren't looking too good. It looks like this beast has set up shop in my liver. There were 3 spots on the liver on the CT. I'm having an MRI this morning to see how involved it is. I'm starting 2 new. Hemp drugs tomorrow. I honestly don't even know what they are because I was in shock and just wasn't listening. I know that they're supposed to be pretty strong (of course, so was the A/C). The nurse said it's going to be pretty rough. The onc wasn't very optimistic at all. He told us that this is not survivable and that most cases, it's a few months to a few years. I'm feeling so hopeless right now. I feel like in a way, I'm already gone.

First of all I am heartbroken for you. Secondly do NOT give up hope. Go over to the stage IV boards and get some advice. Third get a second opinion. There are a lot of options out there and your onc doesn't sound like the most optimistic person and that he/she had written you off. I am constantly thinking of you.

I agree get a second opinion.  You can beat this!  We are all here for you and I'm praying for you!

Nsmolen

I have nothing to add only to say that you're in my prayers.  I totally agree for getting another opinion, dealing someone that is negative is not going to help at all.  Please remeber that you ARE still here!!!

Just add an additional inspiring story,my friends Mom was DX very shortly after me, she was told by another MO to get her affairs in order that there was nothing they could do for her..  She obtained a referral to where I'm being treated and that's exactly what they are doing, treating her!!!  Virtually the same TX I'm getting too! 

nsmolen- please, please get a second opinion.  I hate to write this, but there is a lady that gets chemo with me that told me she had given up, they had told her it was uncurable and she just didn't want to go through it anymore. Then her daughter got pregnant and she decided she want to see the baby.  The MO she goes to now told her "I can't cure you, but I can keep you alive until they find the cure".  My MO told me that even a few years ago my odds would have been much worse.  Don't give up!  BTW, the lady now has met 2 grandbabies.

Love to you,

Corky

Nsmolen... I am praying for you too.  Especially for wisdom for your doctors.  I agree with others, get a second opinion, even a third!  I agree with CAYH, there are things WE can do to help ourselves!  I am reading Anticancer, and it has really opened my eyes.  (author had brain cancer, recommends do all the tx's, but sooo many other things to help our bodies to fight).  Also, Crazy Sexy Cancer by Kris Carr - she was told her rare liver/lung cancer could not be treated.  She found things she could do and is alive still, years later.  You can fight this!  Don't give up!  We are all rooting for you!

Hugs, Amy