Ohio Chemo Sisters

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited May 2012

    Thanks ladies...your kind words help.  I am doing a little better.  My DH and I are going to Chicago for the weekend for an anniversay celebration.  I was thinking of cancelling it, but I know my mom would want us to celebrate.  She loved my DH and since I was alone for 12 years before marrying him, she always worried about me.  She can rest peacefully now that I have the most wonderful DH.  I need to get out of here, too.  We will be seeing Jersey Boys tomorrow night.

    Debbie - Sounds like you have a full agenda.  My DD came home from college last week (just one day early).  She goes to the Cleveland Institute of Art.  Don't know if I've bragged yet but she was awarded a Presidential Scholarship a few weeks ago that will pay her remaining 3 years' tuition in full!  I am so proud of her.

    Eileen - I am so glad chemo has been easier than you anticipated.  I am in the middle of rads right now, after today I will have 13 down, 22 to go.  Wow, that sounds like alot!  I have 28 regular and 7 boosts.  So far, so good.

    The weather has been great for yardwork.  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

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  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited May 2012

    kelly; i don't know how but i missed the original post about your mom. just want to say that i am so sorry to hear  this.......

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  • GirlPowerDebbie
    GirlPowerDebbie Member Posts: 213
    edited May 2012

    Kelly - really terrific news about the scholarship.  That is a BIG deal.  Very nice!

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2012

    Kelly,

    I am so sorry for your loss.  Hope you're having a much deserved wonderful weekend in Chicago!!

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited May 2012

    Well we went to Chicago.  We had a great time and Jersey Boys was phenomenal! I wish I had known ahead of time that the NATO summit was there because we weren't able to do the sightseeing we wanted.  But overall it was a really nice getaway, one much needed.  I had a little meltdown last night when I realized I couldn't call my mom and tell her about our trip. This is going to take a long time.

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  • GirlPowerDebbie
    GirlPowerDebbie Member Posts: 213
    edited May 2012

    After my mom died, I remember having those little meltdowns when I would be in the kitchen, not sure of how to make something, and when I would instinctively grab for the phone to call her with a "how do I do this?" question ... then realize she was gone.  Then you sob a few minutes standing in your kitchen, and move forward.  It will get easier, sweetie ... but cry when you need to.  It helps.

    Love ... (((hugs))) ... Debbie

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited May 2012

    I was wondering if any Her2 sisters would be taking the new oral Herceptin type drug coming out next month. Looks promising.

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited May 2012

    sewingnut - I will be on Pertuzamab as soon as it is available according to my MO in addition to my Herceptin.  Do they have a definite release date?

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited May 2012

    Kelly,

    I thought it was early June if all goes well with FDA.

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited May 2012

    YAY...I am looking forward to that!  I see my MO for Herceptin tomorrow, I will ask her if she has heard anything concrete and let you know!

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  • ohio4me
    ohio4me Member Posts: 491
    edited May 2012

    Just found this Ohio group. I live near Canton but go to Barberton for treatment. Finished chemo and rad tx. Waiting on second mastectomy and reconstruction.  Nice to find some 'local' people.

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited May 2012

    Welcome ohio4me!  I live in Canton so we are practically neighbors.

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  • Eileenohio
    Eileenohio Member Posts: 460
    edited May 2012

    Hi everyone,  Tomorrow is my LAST CHEMO!!!  My side effects have been minimal. 10 days after #5 I was so tired I sleep for 2 days so I will have to see how#6 goes. Next is radiation along with herceptin every 3 weeks until January. I can not wait for my hair to start to grow..It gets depressing when I see how long it takes for our hair to grow.. Thanks for all the hair tips,I am prepared to try them all..   Not looking forward to tomorrow . I have a wedding to go to on June 16th,hope I am not to tired to go....  Hugs to all.   Eileen                                                                                                                           

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  • GirlPowerDebbie
    GirlPowerDebbie Member Posts: 213
    edited May 2012

    Good luck Eileen!  The last chemo is a good reason to celebrate.  My first was 9/8, and my last one was 12/27 - I do not think I will forget those dates.  Last rads 3/6.  Milestones ... I hope you feel good for the wedding!

    Debbie

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited May 2012

    Eileen,

    WooHoo!! The Herceptin is a breeze compared to the hard chemo. Be prepared for your brows and lashes to really thin about 5 weeks after the end of chemo. I literally washed mine off one day. They grow back quickly though. I am 1 yr PFC and my hair is about 3"long now. Decided to not dye it yet. Could have smacked the guy who called my husband my son, maybe I should rethink the dye =;o)

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  • GirlPowerDebbie
    GirlPowerDebbie Member Posts: 213
    edited May 2012

    I am exactly 5 months out from last chemo and I have less than an inch.  I am NOT coloring mine this time around!  It is coming in very dark gray with some silver sprinkled around the crown.  Maybe once I get enough to get my Jamie Lee Curtis haircut, people will think I spent a lot of money to color it this way, LOL!

    Sewingnut, I lost my eyelashes about the same time frame as you - they all disappeared within a week - which looked really weird - but they did grow back really fast.  Same with the eyebrows.  You go thru this period where your head is bald, and then your whole face is bald.  "Blank", as I put it.

    I still hardly have to shave my pits at all, and leg hair is sparse. 

    Later, girls!

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited May 2012

    Congrats Eileen!!!!!  I hope the SE's are minimal for the last one.  I am 10 weeks PFC and my hair is coming back, very slowly.  My MO said the Herceptin does slow the regrowth...UGH!!!!!  I am so sick of wearing a wig!  My lashes also disappeared on cue...seems like the bottom row only.  I can't wait til all this is behind me and I can look in the mirror again and see ME! 

    What a beautiful day in Ohio today...enjoy it ladies!

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  • Eileenohio
    Eileenohio Member Posts: 460
    edited June 2012

    Good morning everyone.. Does anyone know how long it takes after your PFC for your eyes to stop tearing? Only my left eye tears but it is so bad sometimes the tears flow like I am crying and I can not see for a few minutes.. My last chemo was May 30th..I know how lucky I have been with only very minimal side effects,but this is concerning when I am driving...Ugh!!!

    Best wishes for a great weekend..     Hugs Eileen

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited June 2012

    Eileen,

    Give it a couple more weeks. You will notice that one day the tears kind of stop. I did have a little bit of runny nose when I went on Herceptin only. Took clariton for that. Luckily that only lasted a few days after infusion.

    Enjoying the sunshine and trimming the bushes today.

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  • OneToughCookie
    OneToughCookie Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2012

    Congratulations Eileen!!!

    I am so happy for you. My last chemo was March 6 and I am feeling fine. The "taxotears" went away after a few weeks. My hair is coming in nicely - even went out to dinner without a head covering at 10 weeks PFC - felt very self-conscious, but nobody looked at me strangely. :)

    Best of luck to you!!

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited June 2012

    Eileen - the taxotears are finally gone for me, too!  It took several weeks after my last infusion.  I also get the drippy nose from my Herceptin, but who's complaining?!

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited June 2012

    Hello ladies...it's supposed to be a beautiful hot weekend in Ohio!  How is everyone doing?  I already have a "tanned" boob and am planning to tan the rest of me this weekend.  Radiation will be over for me June 20th.

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  • Eileenohio
    Eileenohio Member Posts: 460
    edited June 2012

    Hi Kelly,   So happy that my last chemo has been easy,only some fatigue and the tearing of my left eye.  I met with the RO  last monday and got my tatoos last tuesday.. I will begin 33 radiation treatments on June 13th.  Have you had any side effects from the radiation? Any noticeable hair growth yet?   Be careful in the sun this weekend,don't overdue it..    Have a great weekend --wow Kelly June 20th will be here before you know it. Time really does fly...  Hugs from Cleveland,  Eileen

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited June 2012

    Hi Eileen...glad to hear you made it through chemo with minimal SE's!  My skin is holding up pretty well, I look tan and feel a little sunburned under my arm.  I am 11 weeks PFC and my head is completely covered.  It's probably about 1/2 inch long and very dark with alot of gray!  I'm still wearing my wig to work, just don't feel comfortable in public without it.  However, my husband is in a rock band and is playing out tonight.  I will be going to see him in my bandana, no wig!

    Have a great weekend, good luck with radiation...and keep in touch!

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  • Eileenohio
    Eileenohio Member Posts: 460
    edited June 2012

    Kelly,  Thanks for the update. I am happy to know that your radiation is going so well and that your hair is starting to grow. Hooray for hair growth.. You are an inspiration to me,you always give me hope..  Have fun tonight--rock the night away !!! 

    Enjoy your weekend.     Eileen

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  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited June 2012

    i had T/C #2 today-neulasta tomorrow.

    and i found us a house with an enclosed screen porch! we move in two weeks!!!

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited June 2012

    How exciting Lumpy - but moving is stressful so make sure you take care of yourself.  How is chemo treating you?  I hope you are having minimal SE's.

    I had a fabulous Ohio weekend!  Friday night's show was great, my husband rocks!  Saturday I spent about an hour and a half floating on a raft in my pool.  The beautiful sunshine was beating on my fur-covered head and I just listened to nature all around me.  The birds were chirping, the chipmunks were making noise.....it was heaven.  It's the most relaxed I have been since my diagnosis.

    Eileen - thank you for your kind words.  I don't feel inspiring, just another woman doing what I have to do to survive.  Considering what has been thrown at me, I think I have done pretty well.  It has helped me tremendously to be able to come to this site.  Connecting with others who really know just how I feel is invaluable.  You ladies are all my inspiration!

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited June 2012

    Kelli,

    Will you be able to take the new P drug with your H? According to the literature it looks like its given when you have hard chemo. Right now its only for metastatic so I figured your Onc would know.

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited June 2012

    Sewingnut - My MO said she would put me on it as soon as it is available.  It's given with the Herceptin and I believe since I already did the TCH I will qualify.  I have Herceptin alone today and will see her again early next month after I have a CT....keeping my fingers crossed for that one!

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  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited June 2012

    i got the keys last nite!! took a folding chair and just SAT on the porch-watched two huge robins in the backyard and just watche dthe yard BE!!! it was wonderful!

    tonite we take a carload of boxes and tomorrow we will make multiple trips with the car and pickup full --next saturday is THE day ..so trying to get as much as possible done ahead!i'm pacing myself which is hard for my brain!!!!

    i'm doing ok- didn't have as much -or as hard of- bone pain this round --i have 2 TX left --then my rads...i am really ready to be done! am losing my eyebrows again and that sux!!!!

    enjoy the weekend gals!!!!

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