Tampa area BCO sisters get togethers

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  • MondaysChild
    MondaysChild Member Posts: 591
    edited October 2012

    FLWarrior, we hope you can make it on November 10.  I'm glad you saw the post because and will be great to have you there if you can make it.

  • MondaysChild
    MondaysChild Member Posts: 591
    edited October 2012

    I posted the schedule in the header up above so people dont have to sift through prior posts.  Let me know if 11am is not the correct. 

  • AnnAlive
    AnnAlive Member Posts: 450
    edited October 2012

    Omeggo -- I found out after my AC (Adriamycin & Cytoxan) chemo regimen that I could have used Claritin to get some relief from Neulasta.  Neulasta gave me bone pain starting the day after the shot for 4 days. That injection smarts - given subcutaneously in the back of the arm, slowly. I'm not sure when you would take the Claritin, but perhaps one on the day of the shot and each day after that when you feel bone pain. You can find out from your MO on your first treatment day. My AC infusions were dose dense, every 2 weeks x 4, so I had 4 Neulasta shots, with bone pain each time.

    I did take Claritin as one of my Taxol pre-meds. For the first two weekly infusions, I reacted to the IV Benadryl pre-med with leg twitches, toe spasms, and extreme drowsiness -- knocked me out! So for the remaining eight infusions, my MO switched me to Claritin, which I took just before Taxol. I had to bring my own Claritin because the cancer center couldn't fill it as a prescription. It was so much better than getting IV Benadryl, which is MUCH stronger than the oral form. Taking a taxane (Taxol or Taxotere) they insisted that I take either Benadryl or Claritin to prevent an allergic reaction. I hope it goes well for you, Omeggo.

    FLwarrior -- good that you will meet us for lunch. SpecialK is the only one I have met in person yet.

  • DLL66
    DLL66 Member Posts: 700
    edited October 2012

    Cool, FLWarrior--sounds like you are another Tampa-area girl.

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited October 2012

    Thanks, MondaysChild.  It's good to see how many of us will be attending!

  • Omeggo
    Omeggo Member Posts: 275
    edited October 2012

    Thanks for the input regarding Clariton.  I get so anxious with all the details and I'm a wimp about pain.

  • DLL66
    DLL66 Member Posts: 700
    edited October 2012

    Lee7, that pattern looks pretty. I keep sticking with the python print sleeves. I am obsessed with snake print at the moment.

    Looking forward to meeting up with everyone again--less than 2 weeks!

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2012

    omeggo - for the Claritin to work you need to take it an hour prior to the Neulasta injection - which is usually 24 hours after chemo.  Then continue to take it for 24 hour intervals for a few days - up to a week.  Most experience the most bone pain from Neulasta on the first injection as this is when the maximum expansion takes place in the bone marrow - and in the largest bones - hips, legs, pelvis.  The marrow expands to produce new white blood cells (to fight off opportunistic infection) and this causes edema.  The Claritin (regular - not Claritin D) antihistamine combats this edema and that is why it is thought to work.  Here is a link to a clinical trial that is currently underway:

    http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01311336 

  • Omeggo
    Omeggo Member Posts: 275
    edited October 2012

    Thanks Special K!  I did that and have had no Neulasta side effects.  Now if ALL the other SE's would take a hike, I'd be happier. Yell

  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited October 2012

    Omeggo, sounds like the Claritan did the trick. Hope your other SE's will ease up now too. 

    DLL66,   check out the lymphedema thread "Clothing challenges with LE" http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/787276?page=3#idx_107 Lymphediva's have created a special sleeve to wear if you really want to make sure no one touches your arm during a surgery or hospital stay.  They are offering it at a special price to those that participate on the thread and PM them.  (and I think a discount on another sleeve too)

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2012

    OT, but here is a link to another hospital sleeve:

    http://www.tlcdirect.org/Lymphedema-Alert-Sleeve.html

  • DLL66
    DLL66 Member Posts: 700
    edited October 2012

    Thanks, Lee7 & SpecialK. Will check them out, even though I think/hope I am done with hospitals. Hoping my PS can finish everything in his office. :)

    Omeggo, hope chemo is tolerable. 

  • Omeggo
    Omeggo Member Posts: 275
    edited October 2012

    Thanks for the well wishes.  Got some Ativan yesterday from my MO and it is helping a lot!  I feel almost 'normal' today except that I don't have much energy.  But, you know, that's pretty darn good, so I'll take it!

    I have to go back to work now but I'll check in again soon.  I look forward to meeting you on the 10th!

  • DLL66
    DLL66 Member Posts: 700
    edited November 2012

    Yay! I am a definite yes to attend. I have to work Saturday night, but I don't have to be there until 4:30 pm. Really looking forward to seeing you all. Smile

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited November 2012

    Awesome news!!!!  Cool

  • MondaysChild
    MondaysChild Member Posts: 591
    edited November 2012

    Great news! 

    (Memo to self: Change DLL66's listing above from pencil in to ink.)

  • FLwarrior
    FLwarrior Member Posts: 977
    edited November 2012

    I am really looking forward to meeting everyone next Saturday! Is there a reservation name we should ask for when we arrive?

  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited November 2012

    Has anyone called to make the reservation yet????  I'm nominating Monday's child to make the call because I KNOW she can get us a good table!!Wink

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited November 2012

    I second the nomination!  Cool

  • MondaysChild
    MondaysChild Member Posts: 591
    edited November 2012

    Done.  The reservation is for Saturday, November 10 at 11am.  The reservation is under "BCO Tampa". 

    They also have my name and cell phone number as a contact.  Anyone attending may send me a PM and I will give you that information also.

    I requested the same seating area we had last time as that seemed to work very well for us. 

  • DLL66
    DLL66 Member Posts: 700
    edited November 2012

    Yay! Thank you for organizing everything, MondaysChild.

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited November 2012

    wonderful news and will be there with bells on!

  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited November 2012

    I'm already trying to decide which flavor cheescake I want to try this time. I still can't believe how huge that menu is....

  • Omeggo
    Omeggo Member Posts: 275
    edited November 2012

    I'll be there, too.  You are making me hungry!  That can ONLY be good. Thanks for organizing this and I look forward to meeting you!

  • AnnAlive
    AnnAlive Member Posts: 450
    edited November 2012

    I'm still planning to join you. Let's see, entree OR cheesecake -- both would be a very big lunch! Looking forward to meeting you all.

  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited November 2012

    I hope we hear from shells43 and BarbaraA soon...

    If anyone wants to PM anybody else you think might be interested to remind them about this Saturday... go ahead!!!  The more the merrier. Smile 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2012

    Hello!  I'm in the Tampa area too, and Omeggo passed on the information about lunch this Saturday.  Can I be added to the reservation number to join you guys?  I'd love to meet and talk with everyone!  Thanks!

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2012

    nbnotes - yay and welcome!

  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited November 2012

    Mango Key Lime Cheesecake....... well, I got that decided....sort of....Chocolate Tuxedo Cream is still tempting.

    nbnotes, welcome Laughing !   

    FYIeveryone-- thecheesecakefactory.com website has their huge menu online. 

  • Omeggo
    Omeggo Member Posts: 275
    edited November 2012

    Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

    I can be, like, SO bad, when it comes to cheesecake.  If you all are ever in Gulfport (over here in St. Pete, that is) please try the Flan Cheesecake at Habana Cafe.  Right on Gulfport Blvd.  Also, take me with you.  It is probably the best cheesecake I have EVER had.  And darlins, I ain't no youngster...I've also lived in BIG CITIES and stuff, so I speak with cheesecake authority and expertise! 

    Think I'll look at the menu.  Believe it or not, I've only ever been to the Cheesecake Factory once in my life, in Palm Desert, CA, about four years ago.  I was so goody two shoes back then that I didn't even look at the dessert menu. 

    See you Saturday!

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