Starting Chemo March 2015

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    Wonderful, Bekah! So happy for you!

    Joanna, the little guy is Jack, who is a rescue so we don't know all "what's in the woodpile", so to speak. Definitely part Jack. His vet and many others think he has a lot ofFox terrier too, and his disposition is calmer than most JRTs I've met. The other dog is my friend's rescue, a full red Border Collie, named Riley, and they are Bestie's.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    and J, I passed your compliment on to Jack, who does already know he's very cute, but always appreciates being told. He recently passed his canine good citizen cert and passed 3 independent evaluations and became a therapy dog. It entails visiting the sick, old, infirm, recovering, even a library program for kids unsure of themselves to read to a dog, instead of a parent or peer. All of this has been nixed for me for now, as I cannot risk getting sick, but Jack has shown a genuine calling for his work, And I so look forward to not being "chemo's bitch" any more, and help him do his very important job. He does all the work, and knows instinctively how to respond uniquely to each person he visits. I just drive him around to his appointments. I'm like his assistant hahaha

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  • SC_Coqui
    SC_Coqui Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2015

    Aww, sounds like a sweet dog! :) Some former neighbors of mine had two Jack Russell Terriers and they were high strung and boy they could jump! He does have the face of a JR. Kuddos for him for getting his award. That's great that he has his own little job to do.

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Trvler I'm taking endone for the bone pain. Nothing else seems to do it for me.

    Another migraine for me this morning. Just getting through it and bone pain. Argh. It is easier though now I've gone through it once because I know what to expect and that it will eventually pass.

    Thank you all for the kind words regarding my brain scan. So nice to be able to share both good news and ad with people who truly understand.


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  • DavisD
    DavisD Member Posts: 338
    edited March 2015
    1. I everyone! I've been off the computer when I get home from work for the most part. Only made it a couple hrs on M and T but all day today! Crazy thing is they called to say my WBC count was "very very low" and then they told me all the don'ts and I may have to come in for the Neulasta. No call by COB SO hopefully I'm good.

    I've also been experiencing deep incredible bone pain.it started pre chemo but not as bad. Was only left leg now both and more at night. Sun and Mon I may have slept an hour or two. I was sleepy and so exhausted but every time I started to doze I would get one of these pains. Mentioned it to MO yesterday when getting labs and he thinks it's the taxotere. Put me back on prednisone and Ativan. My rheumatologist ordered some xrays and gave me R( some agonist for melatonin.) Enough drugs and exhaustion last night night slept pretty well. I was having g some pretty dark thoughts...sleep deprivation does that SO thank you MO

    You all have made me laugh and smile tonight and though it's too late to comment on all, I have to say I am sick to death of hearing about my sisters friends wife who had "the worst kind you can get' and she's just fine now" seriously?? And the stories from several others just keep coming. I feel like I'm not entitled to c/a anything if my DHs buddies wives were "just fine" too! Screw them. I just feel bad they felt they couldn't share with those that are closest.

    Secondly, I love little Jack, the Aussie and Oregon! It's so beautiful Katy. I miss you all but tomorrow's my 54th birthday so I'm putting on a dress and a great big freakin smile for a great day at work (and hope the Neulasta devil doesn't call me)

    Oh, I'm Diane and I live just west of Leesburg, VS. In the country or as far away as I can afford!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    Diane! I've missed you. But didn't want to pry. Glad you're.... Well.... Not effing superwoman.,

    Please be well, know I'm thinking of you, and HAPPY EFFING BIRTHDAY!!!!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    Shaz- sorry about the pain. But glad now when you have a migraine you don't have to think the worst.

    I hope you have a great day! Whatever time it is there.

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    I love all the photos! It makes me realize how we all do have lives outside of BC when we can.

    Welcome to anyone new. I'm running behind posts, which is becoming quite normal for me. I think the time distance and the recent treatment are my excuses. But I do love reading everyone's posts and I try to remember to respond as much as I can, but when I get to the end I forget who wrote what. 

    I also feel like the outside stories of BC survivors and how they easily got through chemo makes me feel like I'm just being weak! And I'm not, I'm just feeling like crap! Each day is different, but I'm listening to my body and taking on boards tips and tricks I learn here from people who are experiencing it right now...beside me. 

    Sending you all my heartfelt thanks.

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Katy, thank you. What time is it there? Its nearly 2:30pm here. I hope you're not shopping! Did I hear the word etsy coming from you earlier?

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    I think we can all agree that since we are committed to not be annoying effing superwomen, thatit is hereby ordered and understood that posts are not required to be individually responded to. And that it doesn't mean we didn't read them, laugh with them, and internalize them.

    I promise not to be super cancer woman.

    Who's with me.?

    Ok that was a test. Do not answer.

    I really do crack myself up.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    And this is me. BEFORE STEROIDS. No wonder I'm alone.

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    I'm with you Katy, but I have the excuse of steroids and endone! 😂

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Katy, I would describe you as inspiring xxx

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited March 2015

    Diane, if you have to do Neulasta, take the Clairitin. At least an hour before the shot and for a week after. I was religious about it, and didn't have any bone pain first round. And my white blood count is actually a little over normal. So of course I am worrying about that lol.

    After second round today, mouth feels a little funky and guts kind of quivering again, like I over exercised. But I figured out if I eat a small amount every hour or two, that helps. I have crackers and lots of drugs by the bedside for tonight, just in case.

    And oh, about mosquitoes not biting a chemo chick, not working for me. Our neighbors have some standing ground water for some reason and I got three mosquito bites, including one on my mangy bald head. Swell, just what I need! Happy early birthday!

    Not wanting to hear everybody's stories is one reason I don't want people at work to know. Everybody has a story, and since we are all unique, I'm sorry, but their story doesn't apply to me. Plus, I can scare myself enough without people telling me horror stories. And when I read some of the other forums on here, it breaks my heart what people are going through, and I know that could possibly be the next step for me. Geez, where did that gloom and doom come from lol?

    Enough already, I'm still here right now, and that might be all I have, so I'm not gonna waste a single day!


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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Here's the view from my house. Its a bit dry at the moment.

    image

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    Shaz. WOW!!! So pretty.

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  • greenae
    greenae Member Posts: 540
    edited March 2015

    Hi All

    I am with you. Katy! I read all the posts, suck at typing, can't remember names, am on here in the dark in middle of night, started steroids today, and start chemo tomorrow...YIKES! I can't even find my last post...lol.

    I am hoping everyone's test results are good, and SEs can be controlled and short-lived. I am NO Superwoman, and don't want to be (actually I prefer the Wonder Woman get-up). I had to change MO because my first one left NYU. Happier with my new MO. She is NOT into the Superwoman routine---big yay for me!

    I am Arlene...and from Staten Island, NY...oooo, feeling like a Miss America contestant! :)

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  • so-she-did
    so-she-did Member Posts: 202
    edited March 2015

    It has been so validating to hear that you all have felt the same about the "inspirational stories". Drives me absolutely crazy! PrincessofMeh I loved your rant!

    I went out shopping today to celebrate feeling good for the first time since chemo and it backfired on me! I bought 2 new tops and scarves to go with them and then came home and proceeded to sink into a funk about losing my hair. It is coming soon... Slapped a big a** smile on my face when the girls got home from school, though. No need to fill their heads with self-image issues.


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  • so-she-did
    so-she-did Member Posts: 202
    edited March 2015

    Good luck tomorrow Arlene. So glad you have found an MO that you like.

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  • greenae
    greenae Member Posts: 540
    edited March 2015

    I wish this site had LIKE buttons!

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  • so-she-did
    so-she-did Member Posts: 202
    edited March 2015

    Wow! Shaz and Katy! You both live in such beautiful places!

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  • greenae
    greenae Member Posts: 540
    edited March 2015

    Thank you, soshedid!

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited March 2015

    good luck tomorrow, Arlene. After tomorrow, you can check one off the list.

    By the way, I haven't said my real name is Theresa, and I am 52, will be 53 on April 17.

    I feel kind of liberated now that hair is almost gone. I just wore a do rag to chemo today, didn't care. And I had two feet of thick hair. I have a feeling in a couple of months I will just say screw it and go bald, except to work. The wind feels amazing on my mangy head lol. But I have the funkiest tan line down the middle of my head where I parted my hair. Kind of looks like a Mohawk stripe on my skin

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  • so-she-did
    so-she-did Member Posts: 202
    edited March 2015

    Italychick - I tried the Claritin, too. Did you take the D or a higher dose? It didn't work for me. My MO said it may have been from the Taxotere more than from the Neulasta which I guess may make a difference. Just wondering if you did something different. I would prefer not to endure the same thing this next round.

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited March 2015

    the straight Clairin. Some people said they also took Aleve, but that hurts my stomach. So maybe you could try the Clairitin and Advil? I also read that some people took two, but not sure if that is a good idea. Rleepac has had a lot of pain, maybe she can chime in

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  • greenae
    greenae Member Posts: 540
    edited March 2015

    Thank you, IC, I mean Theresa! I am 57...and I bike, too. Spin and weights at the Y, Doing the 40 mile NYC Biketour May 3, even if I have to quit after 10 miles. Wanna ride my stationary at least 30 min a day, not allowed any weights larger than 5 lbs, right arm only. boohoo. My arms and belly starting to look 57+ after a month of laying around and a little walking. But HEY---gonna be cancer-free by June...have rest of life to get back in shape!...just got the ok from PS to get back on stationary tomorrow. At least can get a little exercise...and I am hoping it can knock the chemo out of me more quickly.

    So-shedid (are you Amanda?) My MO has me start Claritin -plain -on chemo day, and take for 4 days, along with Motrin. So hoping it helps.

    Sheesh...will I ever fall asleep? Have to get up in 6 hours!

    arlene

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited March 2015

    good for you Arlene! My bike is saving me right now, riding along the California coast, makes me appreciate life. I rode 108 miles last week and walked 10, I am in shock. The doctors put me on exercise restrictin for a few weeks and finally I said why? And they said well you could fall. I said heck, I can do that walking down the sidewalk. So I went back to riding. I won't lie, the first week after chemo the old legs turn over slow. But then it comes back. It tells me I am not letting this cancer take away what matters to me. Not trying to be a hero, just want to be NORMAL.

    And since arms don't really do that much while riding, I haven't had any pain in my lumpectomy area. Not trying to be Super Woman, but riding clears my head, and keeps me sane. Otherwise, I sit and obsess and visit Dr. Google, imagining all kinds of crazy things, with an endorphin buzz, I just can't get that worked up.

    And you won't have to quit after 10 miles, just go slow, who cares? It is all about the experience.

    Wishing you at least a few hours of sleep! I was up until 2:00 last night - darn steroids!

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  • greenae
    greenae Member Posts: 540
    edited March 2015

    I hear you, Theresa...I would love to go to my Spin classes...even just to pedal along. I don't want to mess up my nipple and skin sparing MX, but I love the endorphins and camaraderie of the classes. I am usually so strong, proud of my triceps...lol, and feel Very mushy right now. I am a little afraid of going to the Y cause I am so lopsided...don't want stares or pity..so I got the bike for home. Am guessing I should just pedal at low resistance, altho I am itching to crank it up...:) l I really should be working harder on my MX and LN exercises...but I just love the bike...indoors or out. I am not known for my patience...;) This BC just puts us all in LIFE LIMBO...UGH!

    arlene

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  • greenae
    greenae Member Posts: 540
    edited March 2015

    aaah, I just back-tracked...Amy, not Amanda... sorry bout that!

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  • so-she-did
    so-she-did Member Posts: 202
    edited March 2015

    No worries! I can't keep track either :).


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