April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Lol it seems like it Dance!



Melrose that's really good. My oncologist was looking for a clinical trial for me as well because I'm 25 and HER+ which is kinda rare for my age. I wish you the best and very little SE’s.



Lisa, I just researched it and it does seem like it would be worth taking. I've never been a smoker but they have it in tea and another form as well. It sucks that your insurance is being a pain. I hope your appitite returns soon. At the moment I don't have one either I'm scared to eat anything after last night but I know it's a mind over matter thing.

LisaG65 - ba-ha-ha-ha!!!!  I love your play on words!    But sorry for your diminished appetite.  That hasn't happened to me yet.  I hope you get your script! 

Indigo - YES, it is so strange - at times I had a HUGE appetite...gobbled down food (one never would expect this on chemo, eh?)....and then....oooooohhhh....GI issues....painful lesson!!!!  Interesting that you, too, experienced a surge in appetite.  

Yep, I have good ol Kaiser. So far I'm really pleased with them too except for my onc not agreeing to approve my extended time off. My BS asked me how long I wanted to be out after surgery which I thought was pretty cool. I know a lot of people work through treatment but I don't want to if I can help it. I work in retail and that's stressful in itself. So if he doesn't approve it I can only afford to be off without pay for about 3 months then I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and go back. *fingers crossed that he'll have a change of heart*

Sade, I'm really surprised at your onc! When I discussed my work with my onc, he was really glad that I can work from home and not at all in favor of going into the office to work during chemo, which will altogether take about 6 months. They kept asking me if I was OK with the FMLA form, too.



Anyway, after this one week I can understand where they were coming from, about working from home, for sure.



Keep feeling better!

You are absolutely right. If you were my daughter I'd take that onc to task. I will pray that it works out the way you need it to. Glad your DH has your back too!

Sade, I have Kaiser too and I have been very happy with them so far.  I am a middle school teacher and my oncologist signed me off of work no problem.  I decided it I needed to take this time off to focus on me so I could have years of teaching to come.  I hope your oncologist comes around.  Maybe it might even be worth switching??? Where are you located?

Sade - I agree with you wholeheartedly.   Is it possible your primary care doc would be willing to sign whatever forms you need to be signed? (if his signature would be valid?) 

Sandik- Hey twin!!! Rest...rest.... rsst.... Your partner can do the event tonight without you!!!!   I've been told you can take something for the burping like pepcid but it's just burping and not really bothering me enough to take anything.  i feel like I have enough stuff circulating in my body without more stuff.  .   

Took the plunge today....was shedding like crazy....got my hair shaved off. I have two beautiful wigs....but it felt too tight...got to work on that.

I teared up when I took it off to show my boyfriend but he smiled and told me I look athletic.



I guess it's just one more step along the road to recovery.



I'm two days beyond day two of AC and feeling pretty good

DT, I too had acupuncture 8 yrs ago b/c I was unable to get pregnant - had it for about 2 months and whamo!  Coincidence?  I think not.

I recall getting that hot flash and the trace-like state.  Definately something to it, and I've been meaning to go back for some time now.  Its interesting about the needles in the left arm.  I know those needles are so slim you hardly feel them going in or out, but it is enough of a risk not to do it.  Did the practioner feel your tx was compromised at all by leaving out the left arm?

I pray it all works out where each of you can make your own decisions about working/not working, etc. It's enough to deal with the stress of battling cancer without additional stressors.



I went for a walk in the mall today, sporting my new bald head. I was very self conscious but I don't think anyone noticed me.



Today is day 5 of treatment #2. Felt achy today but not like treatment #1, so the Claritin is helping.



Rest well tonight ladies. Minimal SE's. Gnite.

John - my brothers best friend has been fighting Luekemia for 10+ years and the first thing he told my brother to tell me was about the Claritin.  I go for my first infusion soon and I figure what the heck it can't hurt and if it helps great.  btw - you're a great guy!!  We all realize this is really hard for our guys so it's nice to have one on the board that we can show our appreciation to.  Hope everything continues to go smoothly for Annie.

I feel a burst of tears coming. Feeling super queasy. Haven't really eaten or drank much today so the gagging from having to vomit on an empty stomach is horrible. My hair is really shedding a lot. I have a few bald spots. I wish I was as brave as you ladies to take the plunge and shave it off. Maybe I can tomorrow if I'm feeling better.



John, I understand how she feels about the hair. I hope she feels better. Tell her to take it easy and not overdo it.

Hugs Sade.  We'll get thru this together.  Remind me I said that next week, ok!?