Starting Chemo March 2015

Diane, They can only give Neulasta within a couple days of chemo; it has to be given 14 days before the next round. Neupogen (a similar drug, but much, muc lower dose) can be given in between if counts fall.

Shaz, One of the most accurate words of wisdom my friend gave me when I was first dianosed, was, "people will say stupid things. Expect it". I did not understand what she meant, but now I wish I had written them all down; I could write a book. It is really frustrating when people who have never been through chemo tell you how you should act or feel. I remember my mom telling me that I just needed to keep a smile on my face and it would really keep the side effects away. Oh my. I did generally have a good attitude, but seriously, like smiling would raise my neutrophils magically. Chemo is about doing whatever you need to in order to get through each day and each week. Period. Thankfully, everyone here gets that

Theresa-I was getting ready to type what a cutie and then saw how ferocious he is, ha ha! He is adorable. I have a friend that does greyhound rescues, has a couple older big ones and one Italian greyhound and one Whippet. Her house is quieter than mine with just two half bred hounds...does yours bark much? Way to go on your ride. Don't for a minute feel guilty about living your life without quite as many SE! We never know what tomorrow will bring right? Besides you inspire all of us to push a little more.

Kbee Karen-Hi you! Just saw your post about the shots. That makes sense. I hate to say it but I'll bet whatever my insurance covers influences what they give me/or at least I hope they don't give me something I can't afford!

Italychick, I for one am inspired by your rides and am so glad you can do it. Honestly, it has been in my mind when I push myself a little further on my beach walks, which today was a good mile. I get Aloxi in the bag too, and emend, and very luckily indeed, nausea and vomiting has not played a large role in my SE. I am very grateful because that, quite honestly, that was what I had feared the most.

There was a time when I lifted, ran long distances, and was very fit in general, but this year I entered into my 3 ring cancer circus in the worst health I've ever been in in my life. And it makes no sense to me either why and how we are hit with the SEs we get.

Bless your little Jack. It is so hard how we love our dogs and cats and horses and all kinds of pets, and we are nearly powerless to help them and it doesn't even seem, at least in my case, to prepare me for what waits for us in some fashion. Anyway, I know your marvelous trainer/husband must use his magical knowledge and caring to help your Jack through his Journey too.

Diane, I posted my response to you to Katy. Sorry about that. What can I say, chemo brain? Haha!

Diane-what a great experience to ride the Fresian in that event! Pilot indeed.,

I have shared what I tried to get as action shots of Jack running on the beach, and me dolled up with my tinted spf cream and a little tinted Burt's Bees (I'm amazed as I haven't spent so much time on my appearance for over a decade). What is more impressive is it is spring break here. It's the weekwnd. Where are the people? No footprints in the sand......

Shaz: Macey is priceless! I love her! Yes I am fine, well maybe fine too strong a word, but I got a nice nap in today and feel much more stable. I am so much more worried about you! You might want to talk to your mo about dosage. Maybe he can adjust slightly ?

I am glad you seem a little better today.,but it seems so very unfair to me that you suffer migraines all night, and nausea, vomiting and pain all day. I think of you a lot. I wish there was something....anything...I could to help.

Katy

Gentleman Josh 1995 or 1996

Katy look at your Jack run??!!! He is superdog alright. I just love looking at the beach where you are. I've never been to Oregon, Australia or California. I haven't been so many places. Life always seemed like it might be too long, now I don't know. All three places have been fast tracked on my bucket list though.

Sharon do you have any pics you could post of the horse you lost? I would love to see him when you are up to it. I had an old schoolmaster named Gentleman Josh, the love of my life. The Friesian was just a fling, ha, no he was just a horse my friend was training and they wanted to put some miles on him at every level.  Josh was a 16.2 h bay TB who evented through preliminary level. They decided taking him to advanced would be pushing him too much so he came up for "adoption" and I almost didn't get him. Another lady rode him before me and said she wanted him. Fortunately her boyfriend thought he was too old (17) so I got the call the next day. It only took me about five years to learn how to really RIDE that horse but it was worth it. We didn't jump past novice level, I felt he'd done his time and he spent the rest of his 32 years teaching me a thing or two. He went on his last trail ride when he was about 30 and still didn't show his age. I was at work when my husband called a year later and said "something happened to Josh, you better come check on him." We think he had a stroke or something, every couple steps he would stumble and for a horse that didn't care much for the mushy stuff once his halter was off/he came and put his big old head across my shoulders as if to tell me "it's time."  I knew I had to listen to him but it was the hardest thing I've ever done. We had a foot of snow on the ground but got the vet out right away thank goodness. My husband had prepared for this day years before so he is buried on the farm with some other old champs. I can't believe I'm in tears just remembering him and that day. It feels good to really feel something other than cancer though....I hope this wasn't too morbid. Macey is fabulous! I know nothing about sheep but when I first saw this pic I thought if was photo shopped. She is beautiful and hilarious at the same time.

Theresa-My friend with the greyhounds..they ALL sleep with her and hubby and sound like similar personalities. Your Jack sounds like a real fighter and we have to believe you have such positive energy that it's made a difference for your little friend too..(don't worry about the names, I knew what you meant)

Diane- not too morbid- a wonderful story and tribute to your magnificent old schoolmaster too. I think it's wonderful that we are all talking about life with cancer, and sharing tips about SEs, ranting, and everything else we do here. But talking about just "LIFE".....that's the best part for me. The fact that we are sharing the very best of ourselves, along with the unfortunate worst, inspires me and fulfills me beyond what I believed Iwas capable of.

Thank you to each one of you for uplifting me

And since we're on the subject, here are my two girls posing together. Savvy is the intense border collie and Helen is her distracted sister. I love seeing everyone's animal family. I work at the humane society here in Portland and I never get tired of hearing stories about animals in great homes!

Slothabout- "LIKE". Adorable

Here are our two fur babies. Mother and daughter.

I, too, like the posts about everyone getting out and living life and exercising. No need to feel guilty about not having many side effects. I can live vicariously through you when they really hit hard. It was a good distraction when the days (and nights) were really rough. I'm glad I'm feeling good right now and that I still have a bit of time to feel good before it all begins again.