Calling all TNs

Hello to all!

Cocker and Bernie - A huge thank for the morning chuckles. The Hubby and I are drinking coffe and he almost choked when I read these to him. What a great way to start the day, with laughter and high spirits!



And "Grace", caught that :-). Hope your leg feels better..........

Morning Ladies.

I thought that being the last tx and knowing I dont have to have anymore, mentally it would make the SE's more bearable.... Well in the words of Annie.. that is bollocks   But today is a better day and one day closer to having no se's.  This time in a week eh?  

Annie I sure hope that you heal soon and although its likely a double edged sword not having the taxol - means its just been delayed one eh?   Sorry you are going through this.   And still, you manage to send a joke and make me laugh.

OBXK - here's to healing soon - since I've been on taxotere I've noticed my balance and ability to walk in a straight line is not like it used to be... but I note you haven't been on chemo for a while eh?   And in the past I blamed the booze

As for the periods... I am 52 and haven't had a period for 12 years (had the iud fitted).  MO reckons they wont return... for which I am truly grateful.

To any ladies I have missed hello and thinking of you.

May you all have good minimal se days with lots of smiles.

Annie and Tazzy - is "bloody" really considered cursing, or worse than saying "bollocks"? I always took it as something mild like "dang it!"

A neat thing happened yesterday. I had an appt. with my oncologist. It should have been a simple exam and "Your blood results are fine. See you in 3 months." But my doc was running late. I chatted with a nice family from Terre Haute (a little over an hour away) in the waiting room. Finally, I got called back. Where I sat. And sat. My 2:30 appt. turned into a 3:45 appt. Then I had to wait again setting up my next appt. I was irritated when I finally left the building.

As I stepped out the door into a nearly empty parking lot, the family from Terre Haute were talking with a man who was telling them that, no, he didn't have jumper cables. "I do!" I said. They were surprised. "You went in before us! We figured you'd already be gone." If I hadn't been delayed, I would have been. Instead, I got their car jump-started and we both went on our way smiling. Serendipity, or God in control? I believe the latter.

Well ladies. Tomorrow is it. First AC treatment. I am trying to hold it together but it's not working! Anyway I could take all the prayers you have and I will check in after to let u know how it goes....

Good story, Riley.  Thanks for sharing it.  Amazing how something so simple can chnage your whole outlook.  

Aww...Melissa.  You will do fine.  Get a little bag together with some lite snacks and maybe bring the most comfy blanket you own.  And start hydrating right now and keep the fluids going.  Take your premeds and remember to take post meds as directed, too.  We'll be here waiting for you to check in and let us know how you are doing.

Hugs to all in TX.  Hang in there.

Navymom

You said take premeds?? I don't have any meds except for the nausea meds. I thought I was supposed to take them after treatment? I feel so lost!

Melissa, I had a port and loved the convenience of it. I know sometimes they apply a warm pack for a few minutes to encourage the veins to pop up, but otherwise, I don't know. As for pre-meds, I got steroids I was supposed to take the day before, the day of and the day after chemo to help with SEs. I took the anti-nausea pills starting the evening before chemo and on schedule after that, whether I felt nauseated or not. I would take them the day of chemo and 3 days after. I also had a different anti-nausea pill I could take in between the scheduled pills if I needed to. Good luck! It'll be over soon. Just keep telling yourself that. Hang in there a little longer!

Melissa - I didn't have any premed for AC, either.  Some oncs give a bunch of steroids before treatment.  I am diabetic and didn't want them.  Don't worry if you didn't get any.  Every onc is different.  I am giving you a link to my blog with pictures of my first AC treatment.  Maybe it will help calm your fears - knowledge is power, for sure.

http://mch-breastcancer.blogspot.com/2011/06/first-chemo-day-one-down-seven-to-go.html

The most important thing you can do for yourself is drink...today, tomorrow during treatment and every day through treatment.  I aimed for 96 ounces every day.  And I ate a ton of watermelon.  It tasted good, it helped with hydration, and it's full of good minerals and vitamins.   Really, any fruit will do but watermelon just worked best for me.  And with no port, hydration will plump up your veins and make them easier to access.  I'm actually surprised that you're having AC without a port. 

I think everyone will agree that the anticipation is worse than the treatment.  And if you take your anti-nausea meds as prescribed, you may be surprised at how little nausea you may experience.

Sending hugs and warm thoughts for the best experience possible, under the circumstances.

Riley - great story! Vote for God in Control.



Tazzy - I officially have my new swear. I can use instead of F*#k, and no one around here will have a clue that it's just as bad.



Melissa - everyone has already given you the info you need. Pack a small bag (I used a small rolling suitcase) with things that will amuse you. I had books and my laptop. We even made a thermos of Piña Colada smoothies to toast with. Like everyone said, hydration is your best friend. I had A/C without a port, and it was infused slowly by a nurse, not given in a drip IV (you will still have the IV running to hydrate you). One problem I had with both chemos is that sometimes they made the vein have an aching feeling. If that happens tell them right away and have them get a warm blanket or hot pack for your arm. (it opens up the vein and stops the ache). It truely is not as bad as you're imagining. There wasn't one treatment I had that I didn't stop for dinner on the way home if a friend had come with me. Take your nusea meds as ordered, even if your not sick . Also keep small amounts of food in your belly. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but your more apt to get nauseous if you have an empty stomach. If the nausea meds aren't controlling it, TELL THEM. Honestly, I think I only got queasy once during all my treatments (and yes I had no food in my stomach) Never vomited once. Deep breaths Melissa, it really is doable.

Melissa - Like many have stated already, Onc's will treat you based on YOUR needs, they know what they are doing. The nurses deal with roomfuls of people every day, you will learn to trust them. If you have any issues at all, call them. They and we are all here for you...

Today is day 8, and I feel really great overall. The aches and pains are treatable and they have really great meds today that they didn't have years ago.

I do not know how you will feel or what, if any SE's you will get. But I can tell you with confidence now that it is not as horrific as we imagine.... Like you, I was scared out of my mind last Monday. Today, I am enjoying life. Hang in ther kiddo and let us know how you do. Hugs!!!

Thanks, Tazzy. Haven't gotten sick once! Nothing wrong with my appetite but I have lost 6 lbs..... Didn't have a very good diet before and liked my wine and craft beer :-).



I will add, that this site was great medicine for me. Wish everyone going through this had a place like this to go to. Really love, respect and admire all of you in such a short time....

MCcrimmon32 - Enjoy your time in FL and so glad you will be with your family! Not sure where you are going, but the sun finally came out in SW FL after 7 days of clouds, wind and rain. Today is was so sunny all day (maybe that's why I'm in a great mood?). Enjoy!

Jazzy - I'm going to Punta Gorda, SW Florida.  We lived there for 7 years then after diagnosis I just really wanted to come home to Philly, Pa.  So we are in the process of moving, hubby and babies should be here permanently by Sept 1.  I hope!

mccrimmon32 - can certainly understand why you wanted to go home. I talk to my sisters and mom every day on the phone, but it's not the same... I am the only one living out of state. Small world! We live in Cape Coral near Matlache, right next door to where you are moving from. One of my main office's is in Exton PA, about an hour outside of Philly. Enjoy your time here, have some fun, and good luck with the move. 2 months until you are together full time yeah!

Jazzyi - it is a small world.  One of these trips we are going to have to meet!