August 2013 Chemo Sisters

Wing...so cool about everyone shaving their heads for you. I have heard of people doing that. Not gonna happen here, but that's ok...one bald person walking around the house is enough.

Sharon...have you figured out how you plan to cover your head. You sound like me, a little shy to show it off. I have a fear of whatever I am wearing falling off in public. I know it wouldn't be the end of the world but I still fear it.

mankatostate, Oh yes it would be the end of the world if my wig falls off in public. I got a few of those cotton caps that tie at the back of your neck, but I hate them. I have one on right now and it keeps sliding off. I am going to go tomorrow after the funeral and shop at Kohls for something. I don't know what it is yet, maybe even a pattern for a knitted hat or something. I knit and crochet, so that might be what I'll do. If you come up with something good, let me know. Now remember, I'm old and you are young, so what looks good on you may  not on me. I need a burlap sack over my head with peep holes or a pair of panty hose that I can pull all the way to my chin so no one will know who I am. My vanity is still alive and well. The aleve helps the pain, but can mess with your platelet count. I took a pain pill left over from surgery and that did it. You're one week ahead of me. I go the next Monday for my second. I will watch to see what side effects you have. I'm wondering if they get worse with each chemo we get.

Out of the mouths of babes: my 8-year-old granddaughter asked why I had a rag on my head! That told me something right there. It looks like a rag!

FMG, that was my granddaughter (8) who wrote the card. The little girl next door has sent me numerous cards, too, but my granddaughter wrote the card at church. Her other grandfather died of lung cancer and she heard the word cancer and was worried about me.

Wing, how cool of your brother and the others to shave their heads. My friends are mostly bald anyway, not my lady friends, but my male friends and husband, so I wouldn't notice if they shaved their three hairs off their heads, but that speaks volumes of love.

I am feeling so well tonight that I feel guilty since many of you are still having issues. I take two benedryl and I sleep most nights, even after the steroids. I only have to take 2 steroid pills the day before and the day after. They infuse the rest during chemo. I will pray for you who aren't feeling well.

LoL Sharon I am with you on the bag idea! I just can't figure out what looks the least silly...a bag might do it!

Sharon: try and find a cap that goes under the wigs its close fitting and has a rubber edge around it to hold on scarves and such, you won't have to worry about it slipping off.

If you're wondering about the treatments being cumulative, i know that mine have been, by the end of the second one i was waiting to get my energy back but it didn't happen, on #3 right now and just as bad if not worse than the first but that is my experience maybe yours wont be the same, i hope not.

The children in your life sound so sweet, that has to be a nice part in all of this ick.

Love, Rayna

Formygrandaughter, there is something you can do, there are foods that help increase white count too, don't recall which, but check online.

Did you guys notice my new pic, meet Magic Kim, a new addition to our family.  I went to Petco Sunday after church to buy some fish for our fishtank, since my mom won't let us have a dog, puppy, cat, kitten, rabbit, you get the picture, she doesn't like animals.  They didn't have any fish, but they were having adoption day with 3 adorable dogs and 1 sweet kitten.  I knew the dogs were too much, so I decided to adopt the kitten.  He is a 5 month old Tabby named, "Magic,"  he was so lonely looking and my girls fell in love and I never knew I was a cat person, but here he is, my magical kitty.  Isn't he so cute!  I promised I would keep him away from my mom, so she caved, hahahaha!  I am the ruler of the universe!  My sister-in-law was upset cause she thinks he might get me sick.  I'm going to insist to my Drs that I need him to fight this difficult fight, so everyone at home will be ok with me keeping him.  I hope all works out.  All you cat people out there, its ok to have a cat dring treatment, right?

Today I declare life over my family, finances + health.  Today we walk in our wealthy place in Christ. 

What do you speak over your life today?

HERE IS MY VOLUME FOR THE DAY: SORRY. JUST CALL ME WENDY. I SHOULD CHANGE MY AVITAR NAME.

Awwww, Gavinsgrandma, you look so cute. Your scarf is super. I love it. I have on a hat that evidentally looks like a rag!Your message to us today is profound. That was a great analogy for us to step into someone else's shoes and it explains why they don't come to see us. Even my own brother, who is so squeemish. I told him last night on the phone that I was not contageous, I won't bite, and I need him to stop by. He said he would. He said, "I'm not handling this too well. I admire you for the way you're handling it." I said, "Handling what?" He said, "Your condition." That was such a shock to me! I didn't even know how he felt. I'll see him at our aunt's funeral today and break the ice with him. I might break his neck!

Hey you all. I'm on to Caanan too. Move over. We're marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion, we're marching onward to Zion, the beautiful city of God.

SaltyJack, you're so pretty, it won't matter if you put a bowl on your head. Your message gave me goosebumps, too. You are so spot on. That was great to read. I'll read it over and over and maybe print it out if I can get this dumb printer to work. It's tempramental.

Mankatostate, You're a cutie, too. Don't you all forget I'm a great-grandmother, so I can call you cutie w/o being looked at sideways. You are cute. You look like you could be my granddaughter. I'm young at heart, and that's all that matters.

Kate and everyone elsse: You are God's handywomen. God has led me to everything I need in this journey and he did it again through the website you listed. I'm sure you'll believe this, since you are all Christian women, but last night, in bed, I thought about what I could make (I sew). I thought, "If I would take this same pattern (I have the pattern) and make the ties really long, then I think I would like it. This morning, you listed the website and when I saw the scarves/hats I did a doubletake. I thanked the Lord once again for providing me with my heart's desire. I hope everyone goes to that website. You can order the free scarf online. I ordered mine and I'm just floating on cloud 9. Isn't God truly amazing?

Rayna, I ordered some wig caps, but they were like nylon hose. I'll have to look for the kind you're talking about. Right now, I still have 1" long hair to pin my wig to for the funeral today. I won't have to worry about it falling off. If it's 90 degrees like yesterday, I'll melt while at the graveyard. I'll have t wash my wig after that. Thanks for the info about cumulative SE's. I had that feeling. I have felt very good since about day 11. I thought it must be too good to be true. I have my 2nd next Monday, so I had better live it up this week.

Tanya: Tonight, I go to the Feel Good Look Good class too. It is at 7 pm and is 45 mnutes away, but my husband said he would sit in the car and read his book. Gotta' love that man, and I do. I can't wait.

Everyone, scroll up and get that website from Kate.

FMG. I read that sleep helps build WBC. Take benedryl and sleep a lot.I love your prayer. Thank you. My next infusion is next Monday, so I will read it again next week.

Lighthouse; I second what Naan said. I have been praying about your headache. I hate headaches, so I can empathize with you. I used to have one every day and found out it was from high blood pressure. I was put on meds and haven't had many since.

Naan: When your stubble fell out yesterday, what day was that for you. I have been pulling on my 1" long stubble and it's pretty tight right now, day 15. The cat came from God. He is soooooooooo cute. You will be much better off having the cuddly cat than a dog that is more aloof, and besides that, dogs stink and have to be bathed frequently. I had a cat for 17 years and he gave me so much love at times when I was down and out. They like to cuddle. My MO said that a pet is ok as long as we don't clean up their do do or clean a litter box. That gives you the excuse to have your girls clean the litter. Mama can't do it.

batcatlady and lisa: didn't want to leave you out. Hope today is a good one for you. I've been praying for everyone on this thread, so feel loved today. God loves you and so do we.

Naan - what an adorable kitty! My tabby boy is my baby & he's a great comfort to me right now. He sleeps cuddled up next to me in bed. As others said, just have someone else clean the litter box (heh, my husband groaned when he heard that! 4 months of litter duty). There have been scientific studies showing how pets have positive healing benefits, so yay for adding Magic Kim to your life

Naan-yes I have three cats and they are great to have around! Second what people say about the litter and make sure to wash your hands after handling the cute little kitty! Luckily my boyfriend already had litter duty so it wasn't hard to convince him.

Julie, my doc also recommended to avoid the litter box, so everyone else is cleaning it out (bonus!).

I still have some hair, but since I cut my hair down to a couple inches it's been feeling really sore when I sleep on it at night. Is that what everyone felt? I've been using sleep caps to contain the loss at night.

Wow, you really miss a lot when you take a few days off from this board!  I had tx on thursday last week and spent saturday and sunday recovering - the claritin made a huge difference this time.  I still have some chemo brain today but it is getting better.  Hope are all having an easy SE day.

Beeve, hugs and I hope you are feeling better.  I was so sad when I read your post because I know where you were when you wrote it.  Totally ok to vent and get it out here among friends, we all understand. 

Lighthouse, thank you for sharing your ER experience, and I hope they got it under control and got rid of your pain.  Its a good reminder to all of us that we need to listen to our bodies.  I think I still try to do too much. 

Wing, so great that your family is supporting you with shaved heads! 

Naan, I love your little Magic Kim!  What a cutie, he will definately help you keep your positive attitude!  I have 2 dogs, and pets really do help you through the tough times.  Of course, one of my dogs ate something in the yard on saturday and was sick twice over the weekend...not a good way to spend the first couple of days after tx!   Good thing it cleared up, she is my little therapy pup (my other dog needs therapy...). 

 Well, I need to get back to work - just wanted to check in and wish you all a lovely happy se-free day!

Would anyone like to share what they did different for 2nd infusion or ideas of what they will do for 2nd infusion to make it easier.  I am trying to figure out what I can do to have an easier time of day 3.  I sometimes think the nuelesta shot was where it all went down hill.  Thanks for anything you feel let to share.

Hockeymom, I give you a ton of credit for wanting to get out, but be your own best judge.    Everyone is different, if you were fine the weekend after your first tx it may be OK to go.  Will you have an alternate ride home in case you get there and need to leave early?  I would hate for you to get all the way there and then be miserable and uncomfortable waiting to go home. 

Lovewins - great suggestion, anything that helps is worth a try.  My big change between the first and 2nd infusions was adding claritin, tylenol and pepcid.  I was still tired but didn't have the bone pain and general discomfort I had the first time.  Also, i made a point to eat.  The first time I didn't eat anything on the saturday and I think that made it worse.  This weekend I kept it light, but had some soup, crackers and ice pops.  I also was more proactive about using the mouth rinse (I am using peroxyl).  That seems to be preventing mouth sores, which is better than trying to get rid of them after they've started. 

Any more suggestions out there? 

Lighthouse, You know me by now, I say go for it as long as you feel good! You're daughter would love to see you in the crowd.  They say laughter is the best medicine, a smile makes the heart merry and a positive attitude and outlook are everything!!!

I agree with you, I wouldn't want to sit around waiting to get sick.

Use the proper precaution . . . take a blanket in case it gets chilly.

Lovewins, the second go round I took the steroids as prescribed (the firs treatment, I forgot to pick up the prescription), took the Neulasta shot in the stomach, took Claritin.
I felt off and was pretty much down for 3 days straight. 

The 1st treatment my only SE was pain from the Neulasta shot and I didn't miss a beat.

For #3, I'd like to forgo all the steroids and get it as premeds the day of (like the 1st treatment), go back to the Neulasta shot in the arm + take the claritin