Chemo May 2013

It’s been a wonderful to read about everyone and all the ups and downs life has give us.  Thank you for sharing and I know some things aren’t so easy to share.

Tomorrow is my last chemo (YEAH!!) and I’m wondering what questions you asked your MO on your last visit.  I have so much fatigue from #3 Taxol and I’m worried how long this will last after the next infusion.  I plan to go back to work with radiation but I am getting worried about how I’ll cope.   I’m not sure when I’ll start radiation, I have my planning session next week and the MR said the beginning of Oct.  I want to try and get as many sessions in October as possible.  I have a high deductible health insurance plan and the new benefit year starts on Nov. 1^st so I’ll be paying until I hit the deductible.

A bit about me;

I am the younger of two girls, my father was in the Navy until I was around 8 and we lived in all over the world but mostly on base or near a base.  When he retired we lived on Eleuthera in the Bahamas for a few years then moved to the Space Coast in Florida.  During the cut back to the space program in the 70s we moved to Philadelphia, what a cultural shock from a beach girl to a city girl.  I worked and paid my way through College at Temple University with a degree in Computer Science.  I’ve been working in IT at small liberal arts College since graduation.   

My dad passed away in 2001 from mesothelioma and my sister from suicide in 2008. 

I met my DH in 1981 roller skating, he worked with my roommate and the company was having a skating party.  We were married in 1986 and have two girls; 25 and 22. When the girls were young we had a few of birthday parties at the rink and we would always point out the bench were first sat together while lacing up our skates.   I remember all the teen drama but I’ve also blocked a bit of it from my memories, a survival tool.  For us, the girls would be able to connect with one of us while being mad at the other.  We always knew who as the good parent/bad parent was and tried to work together to support the one who was appointed the bad parent.   The drama does start to ease up for us it was when they were in high school.

My girls have been wonderful, I’ve only cried about the BC (S*!!) a few times and the first was when I told them. My oldest is an OT and helped me with cording and took off time after my surgery to be with me.  My youngest comes home from College once a week and cleans the house or helps with other chores. She is also a good cook J  I have always had pets and have a rescue dog who is around 8 now.  He has less energy than me but every day we take an hour walk around town.

 I live in Haddonfield, NJ outside of Philadelphia.  I love this area, I do day trips to the beach and take the train into the city. 

Fondly,

Robin

Some of you may remember me talking about my SIL.... Well, her daughter is in beauty school and my SIL just texted me asking if I could help her daughter out by scheduling a hair cut....?? Really! Boy!..

That kind of made me laugh.  What was your response?  I would have said sure how soon can she get me in?  It is getting pretty long now, lol.

I can't wait till my hubby comes home to tell him.... He was just telling me this morning that I have a lot of fuzz on my head! LOL

Problem is... He probably won't catch the cluelessness in it and say that it was nice if her to ask..... His sister, ya know...... Haha

Robin, I think most people are done within 4-5 weeks, so you have a good cushion before the next insurance fiscal year. Hope all goes well.

Living where you do sounds like you have the best of both worlds...city and beach within a reasonable distance! Nice!



Lori, I think all of us here would love to show up for the free haircut. I just couldn't imagine the look on your nieces face though. And you are right, not your nieces fault her mother is a boob. I guess SIL won't change but we all appreciate the good laugh!



I think I need to give myself a buzz cut so I can see what's happening on my thinning head of hair. No "hair strainer" in the vacation unit so I couldn't tell if still coming out a lot orif it's slowed down....some in my strainer today at home.



Saturday my husband and I will be Godparents to the families newest addition. My SIL waited until my treatments were done and I would be feeling good to hold the Christening. Need to go see if the old dress I own still fits....really don't want to buy a new one in my "portly" condition...as I keep dreaming I am thinner (then I wake up). Need to figure out the head garb too.

Have just about lost my eyelashes (I guess they didn't get the memo that they should come out first!). My eyebrows are going haywire! Go figure.



Gotta go play some powerball ladies....winner pays off all of our medical bills and treats us all to a great vacation. Wouldn't that be nice!



Pat

I am definetely excited for football. I have to wail til Sunday to see Green Bay defeat San Fran.



Good Luck Ravens.

Uh..... Hubby's a little pissed at me for being pissed about his sis's blunder.... Makes me feel crazy... Also my hubby's MO...... I wonder why I feel alone in this? (another hubby question....)

Lorrie-That's just hilarious about your SIL. Sorry your hubby didn't stand behind you. Maybe you answered yourself in an earlier post. He didn't catch the cluelesness and it's his sister.



Patty-Have yourself a beautiful time at the christening. Congrats on being godparents. Pretty special. How was your flight home?



Debbiema-You've really gone through a hell of a time. Losing your husband, raising 3 children and cancer. I hope you have some loved ones there for support. Is there a cancer resource center near by that has support groups? A church or pastor?



AryaS - Congrats on finishing taxol. Yah!



Robin- Sounds like you have a wonderful and living family So happy for you that tomorrow is your last chemo!!!!!



Lisa and Kerri-Thinking and hoping good thoughts for fast and negativeresults on your mmammograms. And wishing you peace of mind.



Gully-If you can't sleep from worrying about the lump below your shoulder, maybe you ought to scan it to get peace of mind. You've probably already had plenty of sleepless nights these past several months. Don't need anymore.



A good evening to all - Carla

Debbie, sorry to hear about your husband and raising two children on your own.  The to get cancer on top of it.  Kick cancers ass to the curb!

Pat, I feel the same way about football.  I have a small party at my house for the super bowl with lots of dips and different kinds of chips.  

Well so much for a good football night. Not the start of the season I was looking for.



Kate excited you have a surgery date and right around the corner no less! Am looking forward to hearing it how it goes. My eyelashes have been gone for a while...was really hoping to keep the brows.



AryaS yay for last taxol! Those treatments were the worst. I truly don't know if I could have done another. Hope final se's are minimal.



Debbie I cannot imagine raising children and fighting cancer. So very sorry for your loss.



Robin yay for last chemo.



I would like to say I have very supportive family and friends but I would not know what to do without all you ladies. This is first place I turn to because I KNOW you KNOW what I am feeling. Thank you for your positive thoughts and support. I am doing my best to not worry too much about new lump until I have reason too. Kerri I hope you are doing the same.



Great weekend to all



Lisa

Kate, cracked me up about the Jets, I don't follow but often hear my hubby comment to his sister and friends that are Jets fans....he is a Giants fan. I am a Mets fan (as in baseball folks!) so I know what it is like to watch a losing team. I used to be able to tell you who is who...now I don't even really watch. Took the kids to a game this summer, just to "remind" them they are Mets fans. Lol



Kate, you have your date! Awesome. Well I guess you will never forget that surgery date!

My first surgery was March18...only reason I remember is it was the day after St. Patrick's day. I made sure to ask all the doctors concerned if they celebrate St. Patrick's Day, I wanted steady hands in that OR and full concentration, no hangovers!



Pat

Congrats Kate!



Pat, I remember my first surgery date as well... April 15! My hubby asked the doc if his taxes were done.... We didn't want him distracted! Lol

Deb, you are a strong woman.

I will be joining you with a double mastectomy , I will be having DIEP reconstruction. Still awaiting a date...hopefully early October.

You definitely deserve to have 2013 put behind you and a much better 2014.



Lorrie, Tax Day for surgery, yes another good one!

I married on Valentines day so I would remember the date! (And they say men have a bad memory!)



Pat

TGIF!!! I am done with Chemo, on to radiation then Arimidex.  Anyone else planning or taking Arimidex? 

Debbie, Thanks for posting, I also read and learn from everyone and don’t post as much as I would like.  You’ve had more than your share of rough times; I wish life wasn’t so hard for you.  Yes, I also worry about aches and pains but since I’m still in chemo I associate everything as a SE.  I’ll be a bit more aggressive about issues and follow-up where in the past I let things linger for a while.

Pat, I’m with you, I don’t watch football games but I’ve not into sports so I don’t watch any games.  Congratulations on being a god parents.  It’s hard to decide what to do wear and I hate wearing wigs they’re hot and uncomfortable.  If I’m going out socially I do wear the wig for a few hours.  Glad you were able to get away and hope you’re feeling better.

Lisa and Kerri, You’re in my thoughts.

Lori, sorry about your clueless SIL.  I have a clueless mom, when I told her I have BC she didn’t ask any questions and just talked about herself for an hour.  Reminded me of why I don’t call her often.  Keep your distance and don’t share much with your SIL, she’ll only annoy you and jam you up with your husband.

Kate, so glad you have a date and I hope you can enjoy the weekend.

Robin

Lorrie-Sounds like it will be a wonderful time. I say there's nothing more classy than a bald woman with a beautiful pair of earrings on.



Deb-You've got a great attitude. A better 2014 to you.



Saw my Radiologist re what he has in mind for me. He wants to do my whole right chest, nodes and part of the neck. Both my surgeons feel that because I had good margins that I shouldn't have to do my right chest area. The radiologist said that because my node was positive, it's an automatic with him. My PS thinks I ought to get a second opinion, so that is what I will do. I alreadytold the radiologist that I may chose to do the nodes and neck only. He said if I don't do the chest wall he won't do the nodes. Anybody have anything similar?



Thanks - Carla