The Hermit Club

Although husband and I are getting over hard colds, we managed to have a Valentine's Day lunch at a local restaurant.   Hope everyone has a good day!

Markat that baked Ziti could be romantic in the riht place.

Teka I'm glad u got to got out for lunch--that always good so hope u'r better.

Hope everyone had a good loving day today.

bgirl--you said it.  I so agree.  "You are my sanity some days."  amen to that.

So much drama for sixth graders today...  bears, roses, candy, balloons--all for girlfriend/boyfriend relationships when no one can even drive...

(Face smasher and victim--both 12.)

Ziti sounds good.  DD2 made dinner tonight.  Tortellini.  She made pink macaroons, too.  DD1 booked a hotel for a weekend away for DH and me this weekend.  (I am blessed with two amazing daughters.  So blessed.)

Hugs to each.  Camille... feel better.  Jazzy... don't overdo.  Teka... glad you had time out.  Shambles... hoping you are well.  Markat... save some energy for you, too.

We didn't do anything for Valentines - we never do - other than joke about not doing anything.

Had a nice dinner of flank steak rolled with feta, spinach and red peppers (from Trader Joe's), eggplant parmesan stackers (also from Trader Joe's) and a box of GS cookies (I only ate 4).  It spiked my blood sugar more than expected as the eggplant parmesan was breaded and had more carbs than I expected (forgot to check beforehand).  Still it was all very good.

Today I'm headed out to get my herceptin treatment - fun. :P

Herceptin is given in an IV infusion just like the chemo. 

They took about 6 or 7 tries today to get a good vein.  I'm trying to stay well hydrated but my veins just aren't cooperative.  The nurse said they are just very narrow and collapse easily.

The visit took a long time - they were getting backed up so I ended up in a regular old chair instead of the chemo recliner.  The infusion itself is only 30 minutes so it wasn't a big deal.  I think they took almost that long just to get a usable vein.

@Jinkala, I recently finished 6 months of chemo with CMF. The first four months the nurse usually managed to get the IV in on the first try--after that it was 3 pokes the next week and four the week after that, which was enough for me. I had a port put in the week after that which was used for the rest of my treatments. It may be that your veins are through with cooperating. How many treatments do you have left with the herceptin? If it's only a few, it might not be worthwhile getting a port, but if you still have several to go the port will save you a lot of unsuccessful sticks and many black&blue marks.

I've still got several months to go on the Herceptin but I really don't like the idea of more surgery.  They do 30 minute transfusions on it and I haven't had any side effects from it at all (unlike the chemo).  Last time the nurse got it on the first try but this time the same guy took several tries (after the other nurse tried a couple first).  He found a vein two times and had it collapse before he could thread the needle in the rest of the way.  Most of the time it doesn't hurt me much when they stick me a few times but he tried near the underside of my wrist which just hurt like heck and he said that's probably why the vein wouldn't work because I tensed up so much that the vein constricted.

My little bit of hair is really soft - like velour or velvet - so weird.  I can't see any curl to it yet so I'm not sure if I'm gonna get the 'chemo curls' or not.  My hair was almost totally straight before with only a slight wave to it.  I can't really tell the color yet either.  I think it's coming back in blonde like before but it's hard to tell right now.

Good morning fellow hermits- I survived a very tough week at work! Now I am working on shifting gears to get ready to head out on wed to part 2 of my internal rad treatment. I appreciate you reminding me to not overdo it Skittle, as my client is becoming too needy with me!

My valentines day gift to myself was a spa treatment last night! A wrap and foot treatment. Oh so good, and I came home relaxed and slept deeply!

Jinkala- my sister also has bc and is HER2 pos, and is doing the ongoing hercepin infusions. She has had her chemo and surgery and is doing infusions every three weeks. I know it gets old.

As part of the hair stories, my hair has been falling out a lot since having two surgeries last fall (Oct then Nov). Not clumps of hair falling out like you get with chemo, but just many strands in the brush or drain. I decided to get a new style to shorten it up today and make it more stylish. I know many are dealing with hair returning after chemo and if I hear of any good products from my stylist, will send it along. My stylist is working towards having her own business towards helping women with BC, including having a good wig shop. 

I hope everyone made it through their work, their weekly medical care and that you all had a lovely V-day this week!

Good morning ladies!

Jazzy, I can relate to you about the craziness with work.  Sometimes the source of mine is the client and sometimes it is the people I work with.  For such a small office, there is a BIG amount of DRAMA!  We are starting a training class Monday which will more than double our number of employees. The first of March we are moving to a much larger office.  It will be interesting to see how the “personality” of the company changes.  I am hoping for the best, but waiting on pins and needles!

Teka, hope you and your hubby are feeling better and over the colds.

Skittle that was so sweet of your DDs!  You are blessed!

I am SINGLE, not just single, but SINGLE.  No BF, not dating, no interest in anyone right now. I have not found any eligible (or should I say, worthy) bachelors in this area!  I will admit I don’t look very hard either. So…my Valentine’s Day was uneventful.  A card from my wonderful DM and a nice long phone call with her, a phone call from my DS, and a text from a Dfriend.

Jinkala, my hair was that same really soft when it started coming back in. Mine had it’s own mind…straight on the sides and top and lots and lots of crazy chemo curls in the back.  Mine was probably an inch long before the curls in the back started.  Everybody is different.  It will be interesting for you to see the progress as it grows out longer.

Hi Camille, curveball, bgirl, market, shambles and all other hermits! 

HAPPY WEEKEND TO ALL!

Oh Fl it was all right well I mean I'm single too and I spent the day being felt all over the place by a 40ish good looking Dr. so he was my date. LOL

Camille I must have missed that you were in the ER!! (((Hugs))) I should rub that hair stuff all over and see if it works, lol!!!



Jinkala, I don't blame you for not wanting another surgery! I'm not sure if I'll ever have nips or get this port taken out for the same reason If I can stay out of hospitals,then that's fine with me! My hair was super soft right after chemo, but during herceptin it started growing in rough and wirey, when it even grew. I'm one of those that had very little growth during herceptin and then it started really growing when I was done.



Jazzy,so glad to hear that you are having a good day! A spa treatment sounds fab!



Fl, hope the growth at the office calms some of those dramatics down! I usually send my mom flowers on Vday but I forgot this year We've just been so busy. I'm a total jerk.



Well, I've got a sick DH (where's the xanax!) and DD2 is also sick. DD1 is out running around with her cousin. So I'm trying to clean and sanitize everything.

camillegal,

ER doctor should've taken more time reading your medical history!   Daughter and boyfriend came for dinner then gave Teka catnip and had a fun time.

Cami- sorry to hear about the ER experience. I hope you can get on the other side of the infection and pain so you can get the test done around the diarrhea. I had a month of bad diarrehea last year related to another medical issue, and it can really worsen fatigue, and create a lot of other issues. I hope you have a better week, this last one was a doosey.

Teka- I love the catnip comment!

Markat- sorry to hear about all the sick family. Take care of yourself too so you don't get sick.

PeggySull- good luck with your chemo. My sister went through chemo last fall and we found this very cool baseball cap that has hair coming down from it. My sister got a wig for her time at work, but the hat is something she wears during off work time instead of a scarf. If your local wig shop does not carry it, I am sure they could order you one! My sister still wears the cap as she only has about an inch of hair back so far. It is not hot either, like the wig can be if you are wearing it for awhile.

Will be signing off for awhile until I get to my destination for the rad treatment. Will check in with you fine ladies later  in the coming week once I am past a few things.

Wishing you all a good week with healing and the rest!

Well DD1 woke up sick this morning. I think it's strep. Hopefully the walk in clinic will be open tomorrow.



Teka, too cute.



Peggy, sorry to hear about your daughter. I always chose comfort over other people's feelings. Except for church things that I didn't want to remember having cancer in future pictures. Except now I have pictures of me looking like a ghost with an obviously uncomfortable wig on.



Jazzy, best wishes with this treatment! Sending you good vibes!



Camille hope you have a good Monday!



Hugs to all!

I know our hermits are fleeing the nest. I'm still hermitting I still don't feel that well since my ER visit so I'm pretty much down and I'm taking a new med (for me) and it's strage (to me) the antibiotic is a normal one but this one is different?? I really don't know what it's for all I know is my pee is bright red.---it reminds me of the red devil which memories are not dond. Hahaha I'm still hurting but he said thiswas a bad one so I'll just wait. But I'm here.