May 2013 surgeries

Ann, I wept after reading your description of the Relay Survivors walk. What a beautiful and profound experience. Thank you for sharing it and thank you for carrying us with you on that lap.

Honeybunny Melissa, you will kick chemo ass like a warrior. You are a strong, awesome woman and this will be behind you before you know it.



I'm on Day 3 after my second treatment. My own experience has been that following instructions given by my chemo nurse and oncology pharmacist has been key.



Hydration in the days before, during and after helps to flush the chemo meds out quickly. I can't stress that enough.



Tasking the anti nausea pills exactly when they instructed me to has kept me feeling no nausea.



They suggest Clariton with the Neulasta shot. I've taken it with the shot and for the next 3 days and have had no joint pain.



Even though I never get heartburn, I got it the day after my first chemo. So, I now take an antacid pill the day before and for several days after, and no heartburn.



Eating smaller meals frequently throughout the day versus 3 meals has helped me. I call it grazing.



Even though I have been rinsing my mouth 3 or 4 times a day with antacid, I still got a bunch of cankers when I had my fever a few weeks ago. I think I caused it myself because I went nuts in drinking OJ and that always causes me to get a canker. They gave me a prescription for "Magic Mouthwash" at my chemo treatment in Thursday. Trust me, it was magic. Cankers gone the next morning with one rinse.



Hair: I had a really intimate hair cutting gathering with my daughters and my best friend. My hair dresser has her own studio at her house so we had music going and some wine. My daughter, her daughter and my friend hit some pink highlights! Having my hair buzzed right after the first treatment hit me used to scarves and turbans before the hair started coming out and for some reason that helped me prepare for what I'd happening now, after my second treatment. I can just gently tug on it and it comes out now and it's a buzz cut so it's not so emotional. I'm rather thrilled at not having to shave or wax for the next several months! Oh, and your beautiful face will be that much more noticeable to everyone without all that hair shielding it!



There is no window dressing chemo. It sucks to go through it but it has a job to do in helping rid us of any rogue cancer cells.



We will help you through it. You can do this and we will be there every step of the way.



xoxo Annie </p>

Chemo brain story:  My husband was putting a cooleroo blind up on our new gazebo yesterday.  It wasn't quite the length of the side.  He was trying to measure out where to hang it so it was in the middle of that side.  We were going about calculating it in different ways and I go so confused.  LMAO.  I think I was right, but couldn't express how I got the calculations.

Hi all. Just got back from movie. Was good.  However, I know now, will not be going to any movies when I start chemo. 2 people coughing (not covering their mouth) and congested sounding in front of us and kid behind us threw up..LOUDLY..(not sure I want to go back without chemo!!>lol).  We went early so theater didn't have but about 7 families in it.

In ref to chemo brain.  If I get that I will be sitting in a corner drooling, as I can barely remember my name as it is.

Thanks for the tips Annie. I've heard that magic mouthwash is great. What is a oncologist pharmacist? I don't believe I have one.  I hope you continue to have an easy time of it.  I've bought sleep caps, scarves and a kick ass wig..I plan on being CHEMO FABULOUS!..lol..that is if I can ever get to it!!

That sounds great! I'm willing to bet they've never heard of that here. To be a fairly good size city, it is very behind times.  I will def ask though. I've learned helps to be as educated as you can.

Cyndy, thanks for the compliment, but I had help on the prayer from Melanie. I figured if I posted it, then when each of you read it it will be sent to Heaven again.



Heather, we are all lucky. We've survived our first battle (surgery) and have each other. Coffee on the porch with dh is an added blessing!



I think I may have overdone it today. I went to work for 3 1/2 hours and am exhausted. Who knew that sitting in a chair in front of a computer could be so tiring?

Funny, things I blindly took for granted I'm finding myself appreciating. This cancer fight is making me realize that I've been blasting through life to raise my kids and pay the mortgage, etc. but not taking the time to enjoy it. That is going to change. Uhhh, huhh.

Steph, I hear ya.. I sit on a chair at a computer.. and wow.. yeah it's exhausting work.  I also didn't realize how much I used my arms and lifted things and reached for them.  This for sure helps with the rehab and range of motion.  

Took the family to the science centre today.  Since my DX, I have been just taking things in stride.  Letting the kids be kids and do what ever.  We went at opening.  I almost told my mom and dh to walk home if they were bored as the kids were having fun.  I was just fine sitting there watching them play and be kids.  Ohhh to have no care in the world.  Learning to keep the little things closer to my heart.

So.. is anyone on facebook here too? I'd love to connect there as well? if someone wants to connect just pm me it helps to message me too, so I know who/where your from  

Ahh tired now after that time playing with kids.. what's for dinner??? 

I honestly don't know how you ladies work.  I don't think I could do it.  Stopping to appreciate the little things is great.  I actually learned to do that about 9 years ago after the death of my brother.  Bless you ladies with drains still.  And CK, I only felt them take one side out if that helps you.  

BBQ is at 2:00.  Come on by!

Oh! Do any of ya'll look at Grumpy Cat?  It has a pic of him/her today on its back on couch..caption "I love my couch..it understands me!"....that would be me lately!

Ya'll don't have to hide behind the cleavage.  

speaking of cleavage and chest.. I had my first post mastectomy photo done today, and I am actually pleased with how I look.  I must say.. it really made my mood go up after that today  It still hurts of course to look into a mirror when I shower.. but it will come.. I'm sure.  Until now.. I'm gonna pin up that picture of me and say.. "dang.. I do look good"  

Take it easy with the drains Steph.. don't want them to pull too soon.. but mention your concerns.  I know when they pulled mine it was draining about 10 cc's/day or so.  But some day's I'm still sore where they were sitting.  I'm only starting to sleep on my side.. and WOW.. am I sleeping better now that I'm not stuck on my back.  We don't have a chair I can sleep in, so it was the bed, or floor..lol  

Grumpy cat is the best!! totally relate some days!

Go.. my work is my happy place.  It's the one place that I find that my mood picks up.  It's never a dull moment in the office that's for sure.  My boss even asked me.."what do you want to do" I looked at her with big eyes and said "I wanna work if you'll have me"  She is so fantastic.  Just as long as I am honest with her and if I am having a bad day.. to admit it.  Which.. after my MX.. for sure I won't be hiding nothing... they can read me like a book.  And with the kids home all summer long, it gets me out of the house. I'm a much better parent when I work, well not only a much better parent.. a much better ME! 

Hmmm.... what's the next movie my kids are gonna wanna watch tonight? Just finished watching Despicable Me.  

Had a good day by the pool with the grands. The day had a pretty sad ending. A young mother and possibly one of her children was killed in a car accident two doors down from my daugther's house. We could see everything from the porch. Please keep this family in prayer.

Like Annie, I've been going shot gun and it hasn't bothered me a bit. As I was getting ready for church this morning I decided to put on one of my old bras. I was surprised that it didn't look and feel too bad. The last TE fill really filled me out and I almost feel 'normal'.



Melissa, glad you enjoy work and have a great boss. That is so important.



Annie, I loved what you shared about enjoying a moment in time.



ckmoss, you continue to crack me up (five seconds in hell)!



Janet, I smiled when I read you watched mindless TV. I've had a few days like that.



Steph01, prayers are with you as you make your decision about chemo.

Hugs to all,



Ann

How horrible Cyndy!  Prayers for everyone involved.