April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

AshleyB, my answer is yes. The past two years were very stressful. Mid 2010 my FIL got very sick and died within 9 days, just out of the blue, the man was as healthy as an ox. His biggest problem...smoking. But he did not die of cancer - his whole body just shut down. November of 2010 my husband lots his job. Was out of work for almost 5 very stressful months, he is the only one who works in the house. Summer of 2011, both my kids had surgeries. Ugh! Stressful to say the least.



Funny my BS told me the number one thing I can do is remove all stress from my life. Yeah right! How do you do that with this diagnosis? Honestly!

RoulaG  - my gosh, that's more than enough stress for anybody!  I used to constantly be stressed out because DH worked so many contract jobs and was constantly getting laid off and looking for work.  I am sorry about your FIL; wow.  And sure hope your kids are doing okay by now.

So to your BS - "Remove all stress from your life" - seriously???  Maybe if you went and lived like a hermit on a mountaintop (personally, *that* would stress me out too!).  No way to ever do that.  The only thing you can do, and there is no magic  fix as we all know, is decide on a day to day (sometimes minute to minute) basis how you are going to handle stress.  If you have a rotten day and you end up stressed out, that is no judgment of your character.  But I look at it as other lifestyle things - so tomorrow is another day, and you try again, etc., etc. I'm sure you know all of this stuff already so - if you really need an LOL fix, there are so many witty people here who I think can oblige - or listen if you just need to rant.  It's safer for me than ranting in front of my family, for sure.

And like Melrose says - keep those boots on sistahs!

these boots are made for walking..and that is what I'll do..this is the day those boots are gonna walk all over you..

just a little tweeking of song lyrics..

RoulaG - I hear ya - my house is half that old but falling apart, too - and I have to get it ready somehow for my mom and niece to visit in July.  But it'll happen.  If I have to get someone in to help us clean over DH's protests, it will happen! 

Are "oula" names traditionally Greek?  Thinking about Toula/Fortoula from My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Lisa2012 - ummm.  So this is our dysfunction and I am making no recommendations - but how I cope with being brave in front of DH is - I usually just do it, even if it means hiding my real feelings sometimes, and then like I said, I have other outlets.  I have spent a really long time not being very honest about my feelings at all with him because he didn't show me that he could handle a crisis, which isn't good for either of us, but I just couldn't deal with the conflict.  Now that I'm dealing with this dx and tx, I've had to learn to trust him and vice versa.  He isn't a big fan of current Western treatment modalities, outside of surgery, and has found the whole idea of chemo horrifying.  I just can't go there because I felt all along that I would have been irresponsible to turn it down, given my diagnosis, even though this is definitely no picnic and not the way I would have planned to spend this year.  So while I get where he's coming from, I've felt like the best thing I can do for *both* of us to fight this with all the weapons I have - alternative as well as chemo and rads - and just do it.  It's hardest when he really needs emotional support and I just don't feel like I can do it - but it is a work in progress.  Today felt pretty good.  

I also have made a lot of decisions as to what's really important and what isn't.  I still get mad when nobody does anything because I didn't feel up to doing it or didn't stand there and say, "So you unloaded the dishwasher - how about putting the dirty dishes into it, instead of in the sink?"  Like I said, a work in progress.   But I am loved - and surrounded by people who value humor and laughter as much as I do - and that keeps us together too!

IndingoMont11 - yes Roula is short for Zaferoula. Very Greek, I also have cousins named Soula, Voula, and Toula. Holiday get togethers are sure fun!

Roula:  My dad was greek. I love greek food. My mom is Lebanese so I grew up on some good food.  Actually, had tabbouli and hummus for lunch.  Yum.  I eat it about 3-4 times a week and put tumeric in my hummus.

Ashley:  I had a very stressful life pre-cancer.  I truly believe it's nature's way of saying "slow down".  I am in sales, and of course, they are always raising the "stakes" as far as quotas, etc.  Plus, I am a top producer in the state, so my sales goals (their term:  expectations) have always been higher than the rest of the 40 other people doing the same thing I do.  I had learned to say no to a lot of people (age helps).  Plus, my mother-in-law who lived in Tx died two days after my surgery in March and all hell has broken loose with my crazy in-laws as they all want their money YESTERDAY and my DH is the executor.  We have to kick my alcholic, good-for-nothing brother in law out of her house as well as his parasitic son, and of course, it's my husband's duty, even though there are two siblings in Houston.  Thank God I was able to see her in mid-January (came home two days later from TX, had the mammogram, then immediate diagnosis).

Indigo:  Glad to hear the news about your husband's eye.  The good news is everyone I talk to (remember, I sell Medicare insurance), says cataract surgery is one of the best things they ever did and wish they would have done it sooner.  I keep a lot of my emotions from my DH as he's got a full plate with his crazy family.   I am fortunate to have a wonderful support system with my friends.  

Lisa:  I hope you are on the mend soon! 

To those of us gal who will be in the "big girl chair" tomorrow, good luck and I wil be thinking of you as I sit there with the IV dripping in my veins. 

Melrosemelrose:  I am hoping you have minimal SE with both your TX and neulasta.  To keep this positive (probably jinxing myself), I got my first Neulasta shot the day after my last tx three weeks ago, took claritan like everyone suggested (asked the MO, and she looked at me like I was weird, and said it couldn't hurt to try).  Anyway, I had no SE from the Neulasta (given in the stomach).  My only SE last round was extreme fatigue and these stupid hives, which come and go.  Mouth looked good (MU Gard--an RX I am fighting for them to get for me-my sister gave me a sample bottle).  Try to get some sleep tonight!  I hope my SE's are as minimal as the second round.  

thanks melrosemelrose--that is helpful. My DH and I both wish a nurse were doing it...neither one of us are crazy about the home injection...but insurance says...

I had my second treatment (AC) today, so will try the warming up strategy tomorrow night when we do the injection. 

lisa2012 - oh boy can I relate to looking back at pictures.  Last June we went to Alaska - cruise and land tour - fantastic trip.  I was diagnosed in July. I look back at those pics and see my own face and can't help but think "you poor thing.  You had no idea what was coming."  I long for that sense of innocence regarding life - having fun, with no thoughts about cancer.  Life will never be the same.  In many ways it will be better b/c I have learned I'm one strong, tough gal and have a whole new appreciation for all that I have.  However, I could really have done without this life lesson.  LOL  

Indigo - so glad to hear things went well with DH at the doc!  

chapter4 - so glad your first Taxol went well!  

roula - cracking up about the names and holiday get-togethers!  

Loving the song and the kick butt purple sparkly boots and the BIG chair...y'all we have some great imagery on this thread!!! 

vjm - awesome - hope you had a good day!  I will fess up that after my Herceptin only today I was wiped out (not sure if it was the H or the benadryl or a combo)...came home and napped much of the afternoon!  I'm just listening to my body - felt great yesterday, not so much today.  I can't believe it, but I'm still running a low-grade fever off and on, despite it being my 3rd week.  My body really does not handle chemo well! 

kjiberty and roula - good luck tomorrow!

melrose - I prefer tummy over arm - MUCH less painful.   jkbuffy - definitely let the shot warm up - makes a HUGE difference.  Plus, push the medicine in slowly.  

fierro - yes, I believe every 2 weeks is "dose dense".  I think the AC is given that way, vs TCH which is given every 3 weeks.  I know you are anxious about your first tx - will be happy for you to get started and be past the "unknown" feeling. I think the anticipation is worse than anything, and you've had plenty of time to anticipate.  Time to get started and put this behind you! 

thanks Dance Trainer--quick with the needle; slow with the warmed up meds...got it. I love the breathing tip, I will try that too!

btw--is anyone doing acupuncture with chemo? I have been doing it and am trying to figure out the optimum timing in relation to treatment. It really helped me get my energy back last time, but I did after I had already mostly recovered,  I am trying it earlier in the cycle this time....hoping it will speed up the recovery.