The Living Life Hang Out

Husker123- Here is something interesting--- A year ago when I went to have an eye exam, my opthomologist told me I had "baby" cataracts already.  I had a prechemo exam with my retina specialist( very very near sighted and had a posterior vitreous detachment aka a PVD in my left eye which is an old age eye probem).  I got told the same thing "baby" cataracts and when it becomes time to have the cataracts fixed, I should have both eyes done at the same time.  Oh yeah, did I tell you that I'm going to be 57 this year in the fall and had my last period right after my first chemo treatment this past April.  Those ovaries just weren't ready to shut down.  I still feel them tweaking every once in a while.  Yep, old age just bites and add in chemo and Tamox and Herceptin and I am really have fun now!!! 

Lezza13- I'm doing pretty well.  I have #5 of 6 chemo rounds tomorrow.  Hard to believe that my time in the chemo lounger will be over in early August.  I've been extremely fortunate in that my side effects have been minimal.  I had an echocardiogram this morning for the Herceptin B-47 clinical trial.  I am one of the ones in that trial receiving the Herceptin.  I already have the test results back which is a surprise since the results weren't supposed to be ready until tomorrow afternoon.  Good news-- my heart is doing fine.  I hope it stays that way with the rest of my treatments.  Still don't know about the rads but my case will be presented to the Tumor Board soon so I should know where I'm heading next after chemoland.  Thanks for checking up on me.  You have always been a great help to me during my chemo.  Every little bit of support I've received from everyone has made my life better.

Dance:  Glad to hear your tests are coming back normal!  Good for you!

Hi there mellrose: I will be thinking about you in the big girl chair tomorrow.  After that then only one more to go!! Each treatment seemed easier than the one before.   Glad you heart is doing fine and hope it keeps beating stong for you, Keep in touch and and I will keep behind with ya all the way! Sending hugs and minimal SEs with your number 5!

onvacation- Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.  I'm pretty jazzed about getting these last 2 rounds done and over with and not because of the Decadron steroids I'm on right now!!!!!  Hope you are doing well and the rads go easy on you.

kjliberty- Thanks!!!!  I am definitely rtg (ready to go) for tomorrow and looking forward to the day I am PFC like you!!!! 

Melrosr, rock on! You are getting my hugs and support through the airwaves. You give us all so much!!

Melrose--hair buddy--thinking of you today and hoping the minimal SEs continue. I'm STILL an itching mess from allergic reaction round 4, but otherwise continued my similar record of minimal SEs. STILL HAVE MY BROWS! Yippee!

Lisa2012, Hiker61, Dancetrancer & Slak - Home from #5 and feeling fine for now.  It went really easy with no problems.  Met with my onco to talk about the rads and other general side effects I've had throughout the chemo.  My case goes before the tumor board next Tuesday to talk about possible rads.  There are some good things for not having rads and probaby some good reasons to have rads.  I told her I was most concerned ahout the rads hitting my heart and lung.  Just don't want more damage from treatment if I can avoid it.  My echocardiogram results say I have a very strong ticker.  I was relieved to get that good news.

Hiker61- Can't believe that you are still hiving but I know it takes a while for chemo to leave the body.  Hope you are getting some relief from the itching!!! I used to use that benedryl extra strenth cream and put it on hives.  It helped but I was told I should do that and take oral benedryl at the same time.  oh welll.  As for hair,  still have some very scant hair especially along my hair line... I have some very thing wispy bangs and hair at the nape of neck.  It got stubbies coming out and peach fuzz that comes and goes after each one of these treatments.  At least I know those little hair follicles are trying to recover from the chemo.  I've lost a few bottom lashes, top lashes look okay.  Eye brows have thinned but the ones that left look like they are trying to come back.  Have minimal hair down south.  I just think this hair is crazy and kind of interesting to follow.  I cnose not to fret about it and just look at what is happening is the scientific results of an experiment.  I haven't started my Latisse yet and may get this new Mary Kay cosmetic Eyelash and Brow Serum.  It is cheaper than the Latisse.  I never have been a makeup girl so doing something for the lashes and brows is a step out for me.  Hope you feel better soon!!!!!   HUGS!!!

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onvacation- Thanks!!!  Feeling a little tired but I know it's from all of the anti-nausea drugs.  So an early evening is coming my way.  My case is up before the Tumor Board next Tuesday so i will know a week from today which way I'm going.  My onco knows that rads for me is up in the air because of my particular case.  I also let her know my concerns for getting the rads and having possible heart and lung damage is the aim isn't just right.  She tried to reassure me that that likelihood of that happening was minimal but it is still on my mind.  If I have to, I have to and I will do my best to get through it.   She said I'm doing pretty well--- my echocardiogram results came back great, nails look good and she didn't feel anything when doing a breast exam on me.   Yes, I am hoping for minimal side effects this go around.  Neulasta shot tomorrow.  Wow in another 3 weeks, I'll be sitting for the last chemo!!!!

lisa2012- Thanks.  I'm having an early night.  I'm going to take some benedryl so i can sleep my way through the Decadron and Zofran tonight.  My onco and her research coordinator are very easy people to talk to you and have been responsive to my questions.    My onco is a very vibrant and positive person which makes talking to her easier and open to letting me try things.  She readily agreed to supplements which i have and don't take and to prescribe the Latisse for my eyelashes.  She is a researcher also so she is open minded to things.    Hope you are doing well!!!!

onvacation- I haven't started the Latisse yet.  In fact, I haven't filled even filled the prescription yet.  I may try somethine else first before I do the Latisse.  Some other women on a thread suggested Mary Kay cosmetic Eyelash and Eyebrow Growth Serum which is about $38.  No matter we use, once we stop using it, the extra lash growth stops.  My eyebrows have thinned but there is new growth trying to come out.  Some of the bottom eyelashes are gone on both sides.  The top eyelashes have hung in there.  I think you have to hang in there with the Latisse because it takes a few months to see growth.  Love these little science experiments we do on ourselves.... lol

Hope you have a great day!!!

Melrose--glad you came through #5 ok, and #6 will be here before you know it. My fuzz is coming in everywhere EXCEPT around my face and the middle of my head. I think I'll keep shaving it until I can tell it's coming in uniformly. I'd rather be smooth than patchy and wispy. My brows are thin, but I don't think I've lost one lash. Hard to believe! Also time for my monthly leg shave! Have you had any nail effects? I have 4 brown toenails and sore fingernails (just in the last week), but I don't think they'll fall off and it's not that big of a deal.

Yeah, the hives have been pretty awful. The worst thing was nothing worked--not IV steroids or IV benadryl or oral prednisone or other antihistimines. Onc even had me take a double dose of benadryl and double dose of atarax (Rx) at the same time--didn't kill me OR help! After trying everything suggested by friends, the only thing that helped a bit was "icy hot" spray that had 16% menthol. It was super intense and I couldn't spray it everywhere (I had them everywhere except my feet), but it took the edge off for a couple of hours (and cleared my sinuses!). I still look like something out of a dermatological journal and it's been 3 weeks (now there's weeping and scabbing--attractive!), but the itching is better, which is ALL I care about. I can say that the itching made the hot flashes less noticeable! Ha! Headed to Lake Tahoe and Lassen tomorrow to hike, so hope the mountain air is healing!

Slak--I loved the thread, too. 

Slam- thanks so much for finding that thread. It really made my day! I loved the quote from one lady that said "laughter is really the best medicine". With all that we have been though, it was great to have a good laugh.

Hope everyone is having a great day!! I'm two weeks PFC and starting to feel better each day.

melrose-  I will be thinking positive thoughts for you next Tuesday.  I hope all goes well and best for you and your health! Keep being your own advocate!

hiker61  I do hope you enjoy your trip and that mountain air does you good!