Starting chemo Sept 05

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  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited October 2006
    I had to call 911 last night for an ambulance, Gina's fever spiked within minutes to 103.7 and her pain was excruciating, I could not touch her anywhere, let alone get her into a car.

    After 10 hrs in the ER (x-rays, blood, ultrasound to exclude DVT) we still don't know what makes her fever go up.
    Our guess is that she reacts to pain.

    She is still not very "mobile" and doesn't eat, it is hard to get well and strong otherwise.

    They gave her morphine with Phenergan and I gave her the Vicodein on time, she was happy for a while.
    Then for the ride home, she got some more morphine, but it was still very painful for her.
    She slept and woke up at noon time with 102,2 again, meds, now she's normal....beats me.

    I feel really sorry for her.

    Thank you for thinking of us.

    Leanne,
    I am praying, Michelle, good to see you, Tink, thank you.

    Marg,
    we got you card too.

    We need to explore all these nice places where you ladies live, why are we going to Florida???

    God Bless
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  • Liezel
    Liezel Member Posts: 192
    edited October 2006
    Leanne, hang in there!! Maybe it is just a cyst? I am holding thumbs and praying for b9. Thinking of you all the time.

    Calico, holding Gina and yourself in my prayers as well. It is so frustrating and painfull to see your child suffer. You must be absolutely bone tired! Do you have help? I hope this pass soon, and that Gina will feel better soon. Hang in there!!

    Happy belated birthday Susan!!

    Liezel
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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited October 2006
    Happy Birthday Leanne!

    For one day, forget the fear and nerves, and have fun! Get colorful balloons, buy a cake, dance with your children around the living room, and sing loudly with the Supremes on the stereo.

    Wishing you a special day.

    *susan*
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  • AussieMum
    AussieMum Member Posts: 124
    edited October 2006
    Calico,
    I can't imagine what you are going through! It is hard enough when it is ourself and we have an understanding of what is happening - but when it is someone you love in pain, that you don't understand and can't seem to fix, that is so much worse.
    Praying for Gina and you and the medical team looking after her.


    Ladies,
    I will be off line for a while. Nothing bad, nothing sinister, nothing to worry about. Just thought I'd let you all know in advance (so you wouldn't worry)!

    ( And I think we should all take Susan's advice to Leanne - even if it isn't our birthday! )
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  • linny
    linny Member Posts: 204
    edited October 2006
    "Any advice for the tiredness? It has been 8 months since end of chemo, and I am still finished at the end of day. Also, any of you still suffer from chemo brain. I read on another thread that they now say it can last for up to 10 Years!! I have to write everything down. Between thinking of writing it down and picking up the pen, I forget what I wanted to write! While cooking, I forget what I was going to cook while I walk to the freezer! I buy all the ingredients for these amazing meals, and they go off because I forget about it and go out to dinner. DH thinks I am just using chemo brain as an excuse!"

    Liezel, I am totally frustrated with the forgetting - I have lists and lists all over the house - every time something I need to do pops up in my head, I try to write it down or I forget in one second.

    Leanne and Susan, happy birthday, and many more healthy years to come to both of you and all of us. Peg, the pictures are wonderful, you look amazing.

    Linda
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  • tinkermax
    tinkermax Member Posts: 269
    edited October 2006
    Hi Leanne

    Happy birthday......I know its not the best birthday you've had, what with all this waiting, and your man being away too, but remember, you are still here....and will be for a long long time to come.

    Special birthday hugs, and cyber flowers to you.

    image

    Maxine
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  • jpd
    jpd Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2006
    Happy Birthday Leanne! It's your special day...enjoy it in your own special way!

    Calico...I am so sorry to hear about all the pain your daughter is going through...I hope the pain and the fever lessen soon. It is horrible when we can not count on the doctors and nurses we need to count on to take care of us and our loved ones. My prayers are with you all.

    Chemo moments...Ha! I seem to have them all the time. In fact, I had to create a new sign-on a little while back because I couldn't remember my password...well, I just remembered it. lol. It's strange how our memory comes and goes. I do find that I really need to write things down...especially when I know I'm going to busy with other things and tired.

    Well, i have a sleepy purring kitten in my lap, laundry needs to go in the dryer and the dog needs to be walked...then off to get ready for bed so I can go another day...today rained all day...tomorrow promises to be brighter...talk to you all soon...Janet
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  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited October 2006
    Thank you ladies,

    Gina is doing better, her fever seems down, it went only to 101 yesterday, she had a good night sleep and was eating breakfast.
    The doc has still not called, no check since her surgery a week ago.

    I insisted on sleeping in my bed, my dh didn’t want to sleep downstairs with her, I had to fight him. I’ve been on shift for a whole week taking temperature hourly, feeding, emptying vomit buckets in the hospital, talk to ER docs etc, calling 911 and all.
    I HAD to sleep (almost had an accident yesterday).
    I feel better today, just a splitting headache.

    Linda,
    Did you try blueberries yet? (I mentioned them here somewhere but I have chemo brain too, might have been a while ago and I don’t get to eat them regularly either)

    Janet,
    I bought a little sign for my dh 50st birthday that said “Caution – Senior Moment happening” lol….I need that for myself, it’s about 3 by 2 inches and fits on your desk….

    Liezel ,
    Thanks for your prayers.

    Peggy,
    You are a treasure…Gina loved your gift, she has heard of the puzzle book but not used it and she loves the shirt, it fits…you are too kind. Thank you very much!!!

    Gina said, when she unwrapped the book “she (you Peggy) must think I’m smart, well I have to wait a few days until my brain functions” (she’s on Vicodein and we all know the fog that goes with it.).
    She’ll write you when she’s on the big computer again (has to master the stairs first….hopefully today…)

    We had snow yesterday and all our trees bend down like palm trees, so beautiful but I thought they could break, the snow is so heavy..geee it’s only October.
    I’ll post pictures here when they are loaded.

    I am so happy today because my baby is feeling better….

    God Bless you my September sisters.

    With much love

    Calico
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  • foxxf
    foxxf Member Posts: 171
    edited October 2006
    Calico, so good to hear Gina is on the mend. what a relief for you. ((hugs))

    Leanne- we are all praying for you, I think of you daily. ((((hugs))))

    I have been going well, got a job at my daughters school today in the canteen as relief when the manager is away. It's not much but it is all I am looking for and something to keep me busy.

    I have another health thing going on but will post another time cause I have to rush now.

    Best wishes to all
    Nicole
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  • jpd
    jpd Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2006
    Calico I'm so glad she's starting to feel better. I've always felt we have to be our health advocate when it comes to doctor...having cancer reinforced that even more. I remember when my son was little and he fell at school and broke his arm. It was a 'green stick' fracture, meaning it didn't break all the way through...and in order to set it they needed to break it. I was dumbfounded...but never left his side for a minute. I even when in to stay with him when they did xrays. It's funny, when I was heading into surgery last year, he was the one holding my hand when they tried (and tried) to put an IV in....our children are so precious, even when they drive us crazy!!!

    I have a question for Peg...how much do you normally walk in a day or week? How long did it take you to build up to that after chemo? Joint aches or pain? Are you on Femara? You are an inspiration!! Everything I read says...exercise...exercise...exercise. So I've dusted off my treadmill and am walking every evening, even if it's just a mile. (I do get a lot of other exercise on the farm, just not the aerobic type!)..

    I hope everyone is doing well...what a journey we have traveled...what a journey is ahead of us...Janet
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  • Pegk
    Pegk Member Posts: 389
    edited October 2006
    Belated Happy Birthday Leanne!
    I hope you were able to do some celebrating and this year brings you better news, better health, happiness and peace of mind.
    You are often in my thoughts and prayers.

    Calico,
    I'm so glad that Gina is starting to feel better. I'm glad the t-shirt fits. My daughter likes to do puzzles, so I thought she might too, while she has to take it easy.

    Nicole,
    Good luck with the new job. Working at your daughter's school will be a great way to keep in touch with what's going on. I hope your health issue isn't to serious.

    Janet,
    I've always been a walker, especially when I lived in the city. It was the most reliable way to get around. When we moved to Monroe in 1999 and got a car I didn't walk so much and gained 20 lbs! I made a concerted effort to start walking again in 2004, walking from the bus station to my job every morning (about a mile ) and walking during my lunch hour. I had just lost the 20 lbs when I got my diagnosis. I was determined not to gain it back and having 2 dogs to walk helped, even though I took a leave of absence from work. I walked my dogs twice a day, every day except for infusion days.
    The invitation to do the Avon walk came at just the right time, right after I finished radiation therapy in April. It was a way to continue the battle and it was fun. I found people to walk with and interesting trails to explore. We increased our mileage week by week, and eventually worked up to 10 to 15 mile walks. If we started early enough we were done by lunchtime.
    Now that the Avon Walk is over, we're planning to continue some distance walks, maybe once a month, and I'm still walking to work in the morning.
    I am taking Arimidex. It makes me achy in the morning and whenever I sit still for any length of time. So what do I do? I keep moving!
    I've never been especially athletic, but walking works for me.

    I appreciate sharing this journey with all of you.
    Peggy
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  • leannem
    leannem Member Posts: 137
    edited October 2006
    Hi ladies

    Sorry for not posting recently but my latest saga is on the mets boards. There is a lot of debate about my liver 'lesions' at the moment- they are back but my onc is not sure what to do. So I am waiting. And waiting. Feeling completely out of control and not coping particularly well. Just trying to get through the day.

    love you all
    Leanne
    xoxoxo
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  • lynellb123
    lynellb123 Member Posts: 69
    edited October 2006
    Hello my September sisters, I 've just had the chance to sit at the computer & catch up on the many posts & goings on of my sisters. I'm back at work teaching full time & really busy with school & home responsibilities. Any time I start to feel stressed about it though I stop & think back and decide that work stress is a lot better than cancer stress!

    I find myself thinking a lot about where I was last year at this time as October is the breast cancer awareness month. It seems that everywhere you look, there are pink ribbons along with offers to support BC research on everything from M&M's to Large appliances. I don't think I'll ever need a pink ribbon to remind me of the journey we've all been through.

    I'm dealing with many of the same issues as you all are..hot flashes, body aches, excess weight around the middle....but I'm dealing. I just had a follow up visit with my oncologist & got a thumbs up. He also commended me for losing some of the weight & acknowledged that on Tamoxifen that's not so easy. well DUH, I felt like saying but rather politely said-thank you instead.

    Peggy, I haven't had the opportunity to acknowledge your terrific feat- BRAVO my friend -you are an amazing woman! You are such a hope & inspiration to all of us as we struggle through our trails & tribulations. You are looking great, I love the new picture & pictures from your walk.

    Calico, I hope your daughter continues to recouperate, your family is in my prayers that your sweet angel will be well soon.

    Leanne, I'm sorry I missd your birthday, but I hope it was happy & relaxing.

    Nicole, Susan, Maxine, Michelle, Marg, I'm sending out a hello to all of you and any of the other September sisters that I might have missed. Yes, Chemo brain is real, so please don't be offended if I left your name out. I think often of our special support group & hope that you are all doing well.

    Much love from me to all my Spectacular September Sisters!
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  • leannem
    leannem Member Posts: 137
    edited October 2006
    Hi ladies

    just trying to get through the weekend. You forget how hard the waiting game is and it is even worse when waiting for another mets dx.....

    I am not sleeping or really eating and when I do I am totally binging on crap. My son and his little friend decided to repaint his bedroom earlier today when having a playdate- I get mad, yell, cry cause I yell, think who cares its not important and then yes it is important he needs to learn right from wrong. God it is even hard to parent when you don't know if you are dying... I mean- whats the point?

    sorry, i am really down today if you can't tell. Spoke to my onc on friday about my moods/feelings and he called me a neurotic woman. Nice.

    Went to my lovely family dr who prescribed avanza- will try to get it filled today.

    love
    xoo
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  • foxxf
    foxxf Member Posts: 171
    edited October 2006
    Leanne, your Dr is an A**hole. after everything you have been through I think you have earned the right to be feeling the extreems of everything....and the right to expect a little support. Fight on baby! this is a battle and not the War, you shal overcome and we are all behind you 100% Next time your back hurts, that's us pushing and thinking of you.

    best wishes
    Nicole
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  • marg1
    marg1 Member Posts: 73
    edited October 2006
    Hello there my Sept. Sisters, I have been reading all the posts and just got a chance to actually post something. I been so busy at work and with my photography. Log on to my site www.margaretperezphotography.com and check out my galleries -- select survivors. I had 5 lovely women come to my house today and I took there pics for free. All of these women were dx ages 33 - 43. Some survivors for 1-2 years and one 8 year survivor. I wish you all were in Texas, I would find you and include you lovely ladies. Hey maybe you can email some pics and I will include you. You know the look I am after (black blouse/sweater) -- I can change it into black and white and superimpose the pin. I will then mail you an 8X10. If you want too my emai is robandmarg@msn.com

    Leanne-- Am with Nicole, your onc is a pig!!!!! Who says that to a cancer patient? I pray that he or a loved one of his is never in your situation. I think and pray for you often my friend. Oh Happy Belated Birthday!!!

    Peggy, LOVED the avon pics and the letter you sent out. You are so awesome. You give me so much inpiration. You are a true gift to our group. You look great too -- love the new pic. I too am on Arimidex and I have the "old lady" syndrome in the morning too.

    Calico -- Glad that Gina is doing well. What a trip you both have been on.

    My chemo brain is up and in full swing. I am such an idiot. I forget everything. I make this long to do list for the next day, then I lose the list. I can't remember peoples names sometimes --- so frustating. Now what was I saying again????

    Hope all is well -- Marg
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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited October 2006
    Marg, Lovely gallery. It has grown so much over the past year.

    Leanne, what is up with your doctor? I guess you don't get to just switch to another doctor in OZ, but this guy is a jerk! Seems to me, having read the other thread as well, that you may have NEVER HAD METS, and now they want you to do more chemo? Seems barbaric.

    I have had a real haircut. Almost 3 inches lopped off. Find myself less interested in fussing with hair now that I know how much easier it is to have none. Staying too busy, fighting the aromasin bone pain and fatigue, but finding some contentment in my life.

    *susan*
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  • leannem
    leannem Member Posts: 137
    edited October 2006
    Hi guys

    Just letting you know I will be going in for my mri at 11.30am brisbane time tomorrow morning. If you wouldn't mind sending me some september sister magic.....

    I have started on the avanza (anti dep.) took the first one last night and within 15 mins was out cold!!! Holy sedation!! I have felt rather spacey today (think worst chemo brain EVER) but you know what? Not as anxious. Not a heart attack type feeling all day!

    Anyway, that is where I am at. No one is willing to do even a needle biopsy at this stage but I am also, just quietly, organising a second opinion consult at another hospital. This will cost an arm and a leg as it is a private hospital but I need to know if a biopsy is such a crazy idea. It is not very easy to swap care at this stage in the game and being a 'public' patient makes it even harder but figure just a consult would possibly give me more options/ideas.

    love to you all
    xoxoox
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  • Liezel
    Liezel Member Posts: 192
    edited October 2006
    Leanne, hope it went well with your MRI. Good luck with the 2nd opinion. Keep us updated.

    Sending lots of positive thoughts to everybody.

    Liezel
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  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited October 2006
    Leanne,
    how did it go. I went to a chapel yesterday and said special intentions for you and all our met ladies here on board.
    Did you get a better idea of what's going on? (I'm sooo hoping for NED)

    God Bless
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  • tinkermax
    tinkermax Member Posts: 269
    edited October 2006
    Leanne

    Please let us know how you got on with your MRI........we are all praying for you matey...

    Hugs

    maxine
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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited October 2006
    My thoughts are with you as well Leanne.

    I am not on the list as often as I once was but tomorrow I get my CT and Bone scan results (finally....had the test on the 16th). I have also had a job interview working back for the state in the computer area. Since I can no longer do the lifting thing I interviewed for the central help desk (it still pays good with my experience level and good benefits). I should know by the end of next week if I get one of the positions (they are interviewing 8 and hiring 4...I like those odds...LOL).

    My other half and I became ENGAGED! Not sure when we will actually marry but maybe soon!

    My continued drive to raise money for my walk (so much shorter then peg....LOL) is going very well and it looks like I will make my goal of collecting 1000.00! So far there will be 8 others walking with myself.

    I hope Gina is still doing well....

    Tina
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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited October 2006
    My scans were NED.....but...herceptin is on hold again as I have to have yet another heart test. Apparently even though my ejection fraction is "normal" again I have an area where my heart is weaker then the rest. Better to be safe then sorry!

    Tina
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  • tinkermax
    tinkermax Member Posts: 269
    edited October 2006
    Congratulations Tina...............woooohooooo

    Doing the happy dance for you matey!!

    image

    Hugs

    Maxine
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  • tinkermax
    tinkermax Member Posts: 269
    edited October 2006
    Leanne

    wishing you only good results from your MRI matey...

    image

    hugs
    maxine
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  • linny
    linny Member Posts: 204
    edited October 2006
    Tina, congratulations on your engagement, that is wonderful, and I am very happy for your good scan results, great news.

    Leanne, hope to hear good news from your results, I think of you often and wish you the best.

    I am going to New York Nov. 2 for 10 days to visit my kids there. I think I posted in the past that my married daughter had twin boys (preemies) last Feb. One of them is deaf and she is very busy with appointments for therapy, hearing aid molds, etc. When he is big enough (a little over a year) he will have a cochlear implant.

    Linda
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  • Pegk
    Pegk Member Posts: 389
    edited October 2006
    Hi Everybody!

    Calico,
    I hope Gina continues to feel better everyday.

    Marg,
    I really enjoyed looking at your photo gallery. You are very talented. Your survivors are beautiful women, just way too young.

    Leanne,
    I hope we'll be hearing good news from you soon. What a shame that you don't have a doctor who can inspire confidence. Dealing with this is hard enough.

    Tina,
    Congratulations on your engagement! Your heart shoud be getting stronger and stronger.

    Maxine,
    Love your new photo.

    Linny,
    I hope you'll contact me when you're in the NY area! I'd love to hear from you.

    Halloween is this week! Remember last year when we all were "Uncle Fester"?
    How are you celebrating this year? Making costumes? Having a party? or just answering the door?

    Take care all,
    Peggy
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  • tinkermax
    tinkermax Member Posts: 269
    edited October 2006
    Peggy

    It a pic of me and my lovely son.........i love your new pic too!

    Hugs
    Tink
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  • tinkermax
    tinkermax Member Posts: 269
    edited October 2006
    Here is a pic ladies, of the UK get together I attended last weekend. Everyone in the pic I met in the chatroom here.

    Sandra, its a shame you couldn't make it...maybe next year matey...

    image

    Hugs to all
    Maxine
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  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited October 2006
    Nicole,
    How is your new job? I did that at my daughters elementary school once as a volunteer. It was fun.
    What’s up with your other health issue??

    Marg,
    Lovely photos, I like the pets especially.
    Did I thank you for your postcard??? Thank you!!! It is soo cute to receive postcards.

    Tina,
    Congratulations!!!! On your engagements!!! That is awesome!!! And being NED is even awesomer!!!!

    I received a postcard and misplaced it (taking mail in and taking it to the car I thought to show my daughter) at least that’s what I recall…… and I have to admit it here in public. I think it was from you Tina??? I am sorry but I will find it!!! If this is chemo brain then oh boy it’s like Alzheimer’s…..who am I????

    I feel like an idiot for misplacing a postcard.

    Peggy,
    Another card from you!!! Thank you so much.

    You ladies are sooooo awesome, if you want a postcard from Colorado, please pm me your address.

    Peggy and Tinker,
    Your avatar pictures are so pretty.

    Linda,
    It will be nice to see your family! Enjoy!!

    Susan,
    That was brave, 3 inches, wow!!! I am thinking about it but am tooo chicken….I use Tigi bedhead to calm my hair, otherwise I look like I’d put my finger in an outlet with wet hair, you get the picture lol

    Leanne,
    Hope to hear good stuff from you soon, thinking about nothing but our mets sisters here on breastcancer.org….it follows me in my dreams and I feel so helpless….

    Halloween….

    Eeeekkk, I looked at last years pictures and I feel soooo different….like that was in another life, yet thinking about Chemo makes me …..sick…

    My hair is long enough to make little pig tails (on top of the head, on the side etc. you get the picture…lol …I love hair…even gray hair…ha….)
    Don’t know what to do this Halloween, try to get kids together for a little (not to wild) party, Gina is on crutches and can’t go TrickorTreat, even though at age 14 she still would have gone one more time…

    I am thinking of having my exchange surgery at the end of November, middle November I have my PET and Nov 30th my appt. to find out about PET….aaaawww….I hate it and worry already (Femara??? Pain in my back or else???)…So I’m thinking of first the PET and the exchange before the onc visit…in case it’s something bad on there, I’m done with exchange….I HATE surgery…I could just run away from myself thinking about it….

    God Bless
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