2012 sisters

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  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 1,032
    edited October 2012

    mrscich- Yes I was put on Effexor two weeks after my surgery. I take mine in the morning because even though it causes drowsiness it can also put you into insomnia too. So I take in the AM and my sleeping pills at night. I started off with just one pill a day but it did not work for me, so my ONC bumped me up to two once a day. It takes about a month to build your system up to it. Make sure that you take it the same time everyday. I hope that this helps with your night sweats, I think you will be pretty pleased with it. The only drawback on it is the insomnia if taken at night and the fact that it does increase sweating, I sweat more in the morning about 45 minutes after I take it.

    Scorchy- it was Juneau and Chrissera that finished their walks, I know we are all very proud of them.

    Hope everyone is having a great day. I'm sitting at home wishing my husband was home with me instead of in a class in New Orleans.

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 470
    edited October 2012

    Tazzy, rads just wore me down. I didn't have bad se's, wasn't that tired, but going and laying on that table day after day just drove me mad. The feeling got worse each day. I loved my techs, by the way, but I felt kind of sick throughout. I know it is nothing compared to chemo, but even now, 3 months after my last rad, I hate to pass the building where I received radiation. The good news is that it did end! Ad I felt much better.

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited October 2012

    Scottie... thanks - so nice to get reassurance.   I had a nap today and really if I go to bed any earlier it will still be light out Wink

    Susannah - that's what is getting to me and I have lovely techs too.  They are 3 of the sweetest girls.   Yeah compared to chemo this is a walk in the park.... but its so wearing eh? 

    chrisrenee - I wish I was in New Orleans.  DH took me there as a surprise for my 50th... I'd go back in a heartbeat.  

  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited October 2012

    Karen, no I am not doing Herceptin. I had Taxotere (which is a taxane like Taxol), and Cytoxan. That is what caused my sore leg muscles and stiffness. Yours could very well be caused by Herceptin. Some people take longer than others to shake off the effects of chemo. I finished chemo on May 7, I had the sore legs all through rads which finished on July 6. During that time I could hardly get up a flight of stairs. After that the achiness, tiredness and stiffness slowly faded away over the rest of July.

  • MrsCich
    MrsCich Member Posts: 409
    edited October 2012

    Scorch, Juneau and I were just asking about you.



    Thanks for the Effexor info. I took it about 30 minutes ago and I guess I'm just waiting for something to happen like a miracle drug.



    If I get insomnia I don't know what I will do. I suffer from insomnia already. I have an array of sleeping pills but my MO wants me to stick with just one. I wanted to do just Melatonin but it doesn't always work. Neither does Lunesta. In screwed.

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 1,032
    edited October 2012

    Tazzy- I have been to New Orleans once as far as sight seeing, but I have been through New Orleans many times traveling to Texas. We were supposed to go there for our vacation before this damn disease decided to take over my life this year. We had all of our reservations made and would have been leaving the week of my BMX. Oh well, we will make it down there soon. Who knows maybe we all need to meet up on Mardi Gras and show how we roll with our "new girls".  We can jump up and down and they won't move, flop,flap, or wave to anyone else. hahaha! I had someone tell me recently that I should be so thankful that I was able to have reconstruction and that I should pray to God every night. I told them " I do and so do they, they no longer fall to my side they stand up everynight and give thanks", then i was told I had a sick mind. Yep, thats me fake boobs and a sick mind.

  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited October 2012

    Fighter69, I too has the scans including PET and have an agressive cancer but also like you, no spread. I do consider this "good news" and am in for a "penny in for a pound" as the Brits say - I am going to be doing it all and with the support from the BCO women, the path is so much easier.

    SmileMarian 

  • MrsCich
    MrsCich Member Posts: 409
    edited October 2012

    I live 30 minutes from New Orleans and my DH and I would go there for the weekend just to have adult time. I've never been a big drinker or partier so its all about sight seeing for me. Those that have never been, boy are there some sights to see! Lol

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 1,032
    edited October 2012

    Mrscich- Before I was on Femara I could drink everyday, but now I can't even have a sip and I'm sick as a dog. I haven't had a drink since June. Guess it will be another 4.5 yrs before I get another one. We should meet up one weekend with the families. It's odd I don't have any friends with BC then all of a sudden I have 121,000 that have it. haha. but it would be nice to meet someone else like me.

    As far as the Effexor, I had to change mine up because my insomnia was horrible. I was awake for almost 36 hours because I was taking the Effexor and my sleeping pills at night. I don't notice getting tired in the morning anymore, but that could be that i'm just tired ALL the time no matter what.

  • juneaubugg
    juneaubugg Member Posts: 951
    edited October 2012

    Ladies I'll catch u p later... but I'm on my laptop and it's the only method that works to upload photos.  (I usually use my phone)  :-)  Here are a couple photos from the walk. 

  • juneaubugg
    juneaubugg Member Posts: 951
    edited October 2012

    Hi ladies, only have a couple of minutes going to upload a few photos from 'Our' walk.  I'll catch up later though...

    My friend Lisa (well her back)...  She was diagnosed last December, had her exchange in July.  She was my firrst phone call when diagnosed in May.  I was lucky to have her...

    Me!!

    Team 2012 Sisters!!!

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited October 2012

    chrisrenee... I have said before that we get a warped sense of humour when you go through what we have all been through.  Something else only 'we' get Wink

    MrsCich.. when we went to NOLA we drove to Biloxi - what a beautiful drive.  It is a beautiful place to live. 

    Juneau... can't see the pics Frown

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 1,032
    edited October 2012

    Juneau- great pics the one with a side face shot is that you or your friend. Either way I love it beautiful!

    Tazzy- sense of humor is key. I have learned in the fee short months that I have pretty much had a stick up my butt and never really knew how to have fun. I guess that comes with being a single mom at 18. Never had the opportunity to have fun too busy raising my oldest who is now 16 and a junior in high school. Now that makes me feel old

  • MirandaSW
    MirandaSW Member Posts: 35
    edited October 2012

    Started Chemo last Fri.  Gettin Taxotere, Cytoxin and Herceptin. Felt pretty good all weekend. Went in for my Neulasta shot today and have since felt tired and very achy. My shoulders, neck, back, feet, legs. Ugh. But, not so much nausea yet. If this is as bad as it gets, Im good.  Although, I know there is more to come.

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited October 2012

    Now I can see the pics.   What a great looking team.  And your smile juneau.. beautiful.

    chrisrenee:  being a single mum at 18 would do that to you.  Now its time to make up for lost time Wink

    miranda: I also ached with the shots of nuelsta (neupogen I had - same thing).  Just rest up and drink plenty of fluids and try and walk... even if its only around your living room.

  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited October 2012

    Wow, lots of activity on the thread today!

    Thanks for the links! Won't address all individually, but humor is definitely a requirement for me to get through this!

    MirandaSW - you might want to talk to your oncologist about using Claritin day of and for 7 days post Neulasta, it really seemed to help me with achiness. Glad you are doing well with the chemo.

    Welcome, Fighter69

    Great pictures, Juneaubug. The boil does not sound like fun, are you doing any sitz baths with epsom salts or anything to help with healing?

    Liefie - hope things settle down IBS wise; I too have IBS and find that changes in routine and/or increased stress are enough to set it off many times; sometimes it is in retrospect that I realize this may be what caused it.

    My blood counts were good for chemo tomorrow, the Neulasta did it's work. We have a snowfall warning in effect here that is promising 10 - 15 cm of the white stuff overnight. Roads should be fun in the morning but ... neither rain nor shine nor sleet nor snow will stop me from getting chemo #4 over with ;)

    Take care everyone and good night, hoping the pre-chemo steroids won't keep me awake tonight.

  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited October 2012

    Good luck tomorrow websister. I hope the Taxotere doesn't give you any grief. You are the only person I know on these threads with the same chemo as myself, but you are two treatments ahead almost to the day. If my blood work is ok tomorrow then #2 chemo is on Wednesday. My fingers are crossed for you.

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited October 2012

    websister - DH had the Calgary football game on Saturday... couldn't believe the snow they played in.  And saw your warning for overnight... and we will bitch and whine tomorrow about having to deal with 2cm's.  Drive safe.

  • juneaubugg
    juneaubugg Member Posts: 951
    edited October 2012

    Oh ladies... SNOW?! Already....? And I thought Boston was tough when I lived up there. LOL! The weather in the tri-state/new York city area is lovely (although we might get some rain tomorrow). I'm trying to enjoy it finally. Especially since I missed the spring and summer being sick, asleep or medicated.



    Anyway... I'm beat. Going to pray for sleep (and hope the unisom kicks in soon).



    Websister; will be with you tomorrow.



    Tazzy; sorry the rads are beating you down. Maybe you need some quality behind the shed time? 😉

  • Scorchy
    Scorchy Member Posts: 240
    edited October 2012

    Let me know how you make out on the Effexor, Mrs. Cich.  Bad enough we have to deal with cancer and we have to deal with a million side effects to addinsult to injury.

    For as long as I've been taking Effexor, it's made me loopy. 

    Speaking of loopy, I had to find something to deal with this back pain and the doc gave me Tylenol with Codiene.  I was absolutely freaked out by the Oxycodone.  Yuck.  That was scary stuff. Even if I just took it once a day, it's so short acting that the only time the pain is controlled when you're sleeping, and the rest of the 22 hours is spent in a fog.

    Juneau, loved your pictures!  So pretty!

    I am not feeling great these days, to say the least.  The back pain has really cut through my life and I'm pissed.  The MO is taking things very deliberately and wants to repeat the PET scan.  Eff this cancer, man.  Just eff it!  Grrrrrrr.

  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited October 2012

    Scorchy - sending gentle hugs. There are things like Fentanyl patches that also can be used for pain, you might want to ask about them, then they have a stronger med like morphine for breakthrough pain. He may not want you there yet but quality of life is important also.



    Halfcan - I will be thinking of you also with your labs, sending some good neutrophils your way :) Good luck tomorrow



    Tazzy - definitely look into some quality time behind the shed, not sure if there is still gardening to help you out, not here that's for sure ;h



    I left at 0810 for my 0930 appointment and arrived 5 minutes late, the trip usually takes about 20 minutes. I am currently in the waiting room as they are still processing the 0830 and 0900 patients. Thankful that I got here though with the roads being what they were.



    Take care everyone!

  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited October 2012

    websister - you keep that stuff up there.  The Dakotas don't need no Alberta Clipper, or Canadian Cold Fronts or whathaveyou.  I know we need moisture but not just now.  Please.

  • PaEaglesFan
    PaEaglesFan Member Posts: 277
    edited October 2012

    SNOW!?!?!  Omg I would go crazy if I had gone thru this in the winter and had to cope with that dayum white stuff yet!  Hope all goes well for everyone in treatment this week. Cheers for those nearing the end of chemo or rads!

  • KarenZ0305
    KarenZ0305 Member Posts: 487
    edited October 2012

    Tazzy and liefie - thank you for confirming what I thought. I feel like a marathon runner and ick I don't run. Now rads on top and today started my tamoxifen. Will I ever feel normal.



    I would be happy just to be done. Not sure who posted it (lots of talking today) but it is hard to go everyday. I love the staff where I go too but I just want it to be done. I think it's because chemo was every two weeks and this is every day. The monotony is dragging me down! 14 down 19 to go!



    My DH doesn't understand how this can be as frustrating. I tend not to complain to much. He's had to listen to me enough!

  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited October 2012

    Karen, after my last chemo was done, I expected to be bouncing back big time within a few weeks - didn't happen. This thing just takes its own course and its own time, so relax, go with the flow, and do what you have to to feel comfortable.

    Websister, you must be almost done with chemo #4 by now. Sending positive thoughts, and wishing you manageable SE's. We also got a sprinkling of snow on the mountains around town. It is very beautiful when the sun peeks through now and then. No snow on the ground here - we normally only get a few weeks of that around Christmas every year. Drive safely!

    Juneau, you are surrounded by such a happy bunch of people, and you look really good!

    Went to yoga this morning, as I'm feeling much better today. Hopefully IBS will leave me alone now.

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited October 2012

    Busy board today - which is great.   I have just returned from behind the shed and feel so much better for it.  Should remember to go more often Wink

    Scorchy - sorry you're not feeling too good.  Healing thoughts being sent to you.

    liefie: I loved Vancouver when the first snow fell on the mountains and the sun peaked through.

    Karen.. couldn't agree more - it is the daily Groundhog Day feeling that gets us down.   We can and will get through this together eh? 

    To all those going for chemo gentle hugs and healing thoughts.

    Just a grey drizzly day here - nice to be indoors.

  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited October 2012

    Hi everyone

    I will do my best to keep the snow here and not send it south but it is supposed to be clearing off by the weekend and getting nice again so not sure where it is heading to allow this.



    Home from chemo #4, they were extra cautious this time watching for potential a logic reactions but all was well, just made for along day. I feel a little under the weather - not nauseated, just a little headachey and tired. Have just taken my second dexamethasone dose for the day and had some Tylenol. Can't complain.



    Tazzy - glad you made it to the back of the shed and came out smiling



    Liefie - it was nice to be have been to Port Alberni so I could picture the sprinkling of snow you had :)



    Halfcan - let us know how the blood results went and if you are on for tomorrow



  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited October 2012

    Yes, blood counts are ok and tomorrow afternoon is chemo #2. MO checked my gums and said it was due to low blood counts that most likely just came up. He thinks it will be better next time because I will be getting Neupogen injections. So, the vicious circle begins again. My hair is finally coming out like crazy. Oh well, it lasted longer than I thought it would. Hope all have a good night.

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited October 2012

    Ooops... sorry liefie.. thought you were in Vancouver - blaming chemo brain Tongue Out  And the Island is even more beautiful.  We have friends who live in Black Creek.

  • chrissera
    chrissera Member Posts: 79
    edited October 2012

    Hello all. Wishing good luck to all having surgery this week, and minimal SEa to those in the chair today...

    Woke up depressed today not sure why. Feeling awful, my body aches all over. I usually get that first thing in the am but hasn't gone away today. And I met with Lymphedema therapist yesterday, looks like I have mild LE in my upper arm. Just one more thing. Need a hug but hubby away for work and I hate to let my girls know I am feeling down. So thanks for listening... I get so much strength and encouragement from all of you!

    Meet with rad onc Thursday for orientation appt. It's just one more scary step...

    Love to all!

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