August 2013 Surgeries

LIL, Glad you still remembered my story and you got a laugh out of my shamoo gown!! I have decided never to go to that clinic again for a pap. LOL--- to many bad memories and I am most certain they think I am insane!!

Lisa

thanks I ordered the Blood Builder from Amazon. I tried liver this week but know there is no way I can cook & eat it 2-3x a week!

Lili, If you can keep it down, try Fage yogurt, It is very high in protein. I blended it with organic frozen fruit to make smoothies. At one point while undergoing chemo, all I could eat was vanilla Bruster's ice cream and Ensure shakes. My MO told me to eat whatever I could, no matter what it was. For me it was cold and bland only.

Undergoing chemo is a special kind of hell for most people.

Thanks for sharing about Blood Booster. I am still anemic and my white blood count is still on the low side. I so appreciate all the shared info from everyone.

I am having a rough day, am now half-way through radiation and feeling lousy. Glad there is a two day break on week-ends.

honeybair

I found radiation more tiring and annoying than chemo- maybe it's because it's 5 days per week or because you're already weaker from the chemo. I had to have a 6 session boost on top of the regular treatment. Just hang in and Aquafor like crazy!

Babs

Yes, implants in the future-4 mos after my last fill. Boy this is a really long journey!

Poodle mum. I hope the cold disappears overnight so you can attend the function.

Wrenn are you still on for chemo later this month? Hope your wounds are healing better now.

To those still in treatment enjoy the rest of the weekend and have a good week.

Oh Babs......my heart goes out to you.  Nothing worse than having been moving forward then facing the possibility of such a huge set-back!

I'm crossing my fingers/legs/toes and winging many prayers skyward for you!  Let us know how things are proceeding.

Lisa

kbee

So sorry you ended up in the hospital but glad there's no infection. Hoping the WBC rises so you can get the hell out of there!!!!

Babs

KBeee - so sorry you ended up in the hospital!  But better that you be there and getting cared for instead of being out and about with all the germy people opening yourself up to anything and everything that could infect you.  I know it's hard, but better safe than sorry.

If you need the 6 treatments, will you now be getting the Neulasta after each chemo?  I would think it necessary given this little bump in the road - your body obviously is not rebounding in the WBC area the way it needs to.  That's just my opinion.

Not a good weekend for the Aug 2013 ladies!  Everyone - take good care of yourselves and know that many thoughts and prayers are with you!

Lisa

I feel like I've been hit with a horrible nasty flu again; just like last time.  Timing is the same as well, which means tomorrow I will likely feel even worse but then I get on the upswing.

My nausea is well controlled this time w/Lorazepam; which has the added benefit of allowing me to sleep.  So that takes care of the 2 major issues I had right off w/treatment one. 

The big test will be how my mind functions once back at work.  My intentions are to switch over to Zofran in the morning and see if I feel well enough to get myself to work.  I won't push it...but I do want to work if I can even if for just a part of the day. 

I had major GI issues immediately following chemo on Thurs.  Ran to PS for expansion and explained I just came from chemo and even though my appointment w/PS wasn't for another hour, I explained how I was feeling and if they could possibly squeeze me in so I could get home before anything kicked in too badly, I'd appreciate it.  Within a minute my nurse was out to get me, PS was in to see me a few minutes later, expansion done and I was out the door in 30 minutes.  The Big D hit Friday night and lasted until this morning.  Strangely enough even with all that, with my diet of bread, cheese, apples I only lost 1 pound between Thurs and today.  I'll be moving on to mashed potatoes this evening.  And I like your recipe for smoothies and will be trying that as well.

All in all, I cannot complain.   I feel like crap; feeling like a major flu is never pleasant but knowing how bad things could be and now seeing what's happened w/you and Babs.....I will not complain.  My issues will pass in a couple days and are being managed very well.  I actually felt that way after my first chemo - yes, it was very unpleasant and at times upsetting (the whole "my mind feels like it has been erased") but I knew how bad things could be and I felt I never came close to how bad they could be so felt fortunate then as well.  I do find it worrisome, though, to see how we can manage a couple of chemo treatments and/or expansions with little issue and then see what has happened to you and Babs after that.....

I know for someone like you being in the hospital must be frustrating!  How are your children handling it?  And the hubby?  And are you bored out of your mind by now?

Sorry to hear about the setbacks some of you ladies have had the past few weeks.

I went to the Tea today. I was the only one "recent" - one other girl went through it last year. And others are survivors of many years - the woman in charge is a 12 year survivor. I'm getting so used to seeing people in our position when I have my appts, I've sort of forgotten what life is like without it - if that makes any sense. It was nice to look around the room and see all these ladies who have walked in our shoes and where they are now.

The other girl who just went through it last year looks quite a bit younger than me (I'm 40 and look like I'm 30). She also had to go through the massage therapy and she said it was hell for her too. I felt bad that she had to go through it but felt good that someone there knew what I was feeling. That probably sounds strange.

BUT I'm proud to say I was able to eat one of those fancy sandwiches, a baby carrot, a slice of celery and a small slice of watermelon!!! And 2 cups of tea.

It was nice. I couldn't understand the speakers but that was ok. It just felt nice to be there and seeing these ladies and thinking - you'd never know they went through this. Some day soon I'll be one of those ladies.

Word has spread around my apt building and when people see me they always ask the same question - how are you doing? But you can see them walking on eggshells, you know? And people are so used to seeing me outdoors and with Dayton - then these past 2.5 months I've almost disappeared. They don't know what to say to me and I've known them for years.

I suppose on the opposite side, I'd be the same way.

Well, heading out with Dayton soon and another early night. I'm wiped out!

Thinking of all you ladies and keeping you in my prayers. We're fighters, nothing can get us down, no matter how hard it might try! Big hugs to everyone

Babs - what is causing the reaction on your arm? You probably said it earlier, but my brain is mush some days. I feel like I'm 100 years old and can't remember some things. They've got me on drugs for pain, nausea and a few other things related to this thing. I want off them so at least I can remember stuff. There are nights when I can't remember if I've taken my pills so now I have a system. I've always put them in this one little pill bottle I have so I can take them all at once. So after I've taken them, I turn the bottle upside down. So I know if the lid is down, then I've taken them and then before bed I put it back in the kitchen with the lid side up. Hey, if it works! LOL

KBee - so glad to hear your kids are doing well. Now's the time for a nanny-cam to see what the mess is like before you walk into the house, eh? Hope they get you on the meds and you can head home. Don't overdo it though.

Lisa - hope you get through things without the same effects as last time. Glad to hear you didn't have the same weight loss as last time, I know that is one of your fears. I know what the Lorazepam is like. I'm on that and Diazepam at the same time as well as two sleeping pills but I'm still not sleeping well. I find the Lorazepam has a very short effect for me. It makes me want to sleep almost immediately but then it wears off too fast.

It was very nice seeing those ladies today. It gives you hope when you've spent the past 3 months in this cycle and not knowing what the ultrasound is going to show when he finally gets it done. If I need more surgery, so be it. At least I'll know what I'm dealing with whereas this time I was going in blind.

Heading to bed soon - hope Dayton decides he's going to bed too. Last night I had the heat on in the bedroom and he decided he wasn't ready for bed so he opened the door to come out and play. OY! He was not impressed when I told him he had to go back to bed. I'll bring some of his toys in with us tonight. That's the only thing about a service dog, he knows how to open everything and makes himself busy when he's bored - then I come and find out how's been entertaining himself. :-D

Good Attitude, Babs.  I second you!  Anything goes wrong w/my TE's....they are out and I'll deal w/prosthesis. 

Hoping that's not the route you end up going and I'm still winging prayers skyward on your behalf!

PS just called. He and BS decided they want me in the hospital for IV antibiotics I'm on my way now.

Babs, so sorry you have to deal with this infection. Always something! Prayers going up for you.