Starting Chemo in June 2005

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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited November 2006
    Thanks Bev!

    A year ago today I was in Eureka Springs with Todd.

    I had my last chemo a year ago this coming Wednesday. It seems like it was so very long ago.

    My mom had her last chemo treatment almost two weeks ago and did great! She has her scans this next week and then she meets with the doctor about starting radiation. I hope she does as well with taht as she did with chemo.

    Hope you all have a great Turkey Day!!

    Jen
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited November 2006
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEN!!!!!

    happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy

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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited November 2006
    THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!

    Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone!!

    Jen
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited December 2006
    Hey Jen -hope your birthday was great!
    I had to tell you all about my nightmare I had the other day_YIKES!
    I dreamed I was being chased by ..........
    A TEAPOT! LOL
    A normal sized teapot that didn't even have legs! But it did have teeth LOL (it went bump bump bump as it chased me)
    I remember all the crazy dreams chemo gave us and I have this crazy dream now LOL
    I told my pre-schoolers about it and one little girl said,
    "Oh Mrs Norris, what's next? A cup."
    Thought you all could use a laugh today.
    Hugs
    Bev
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited December 2006
    Oh my goodness, Bev! That's funny. It's like Mrs' Pots on crack! lol

    How's the weather where everyone is? It's finally cold here after a high of 72 on Saturday. Plenty cold for snow, but no moisture. I'm looking forward to my first snow in Pennsylvania, but I wonder how long I'll like it.

    Hope you all are doing well!
    Jen
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited December 2006
    cold...cold....cold...hazy...cold...hazy....cold....way cold

    But I'm going to California for Christmas! Yay!

    making cookies with my grandson! who could ask for anything more!!
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited December 2006
    No more teapot dreams!
    Nancy-cookies sound so yummy! I'm like Rachel Ray- I don't bake-I run through the check out and put them on a pretty plate:)
    I am so excited to be back at school at this time of year. We made our present for MOM this week and will make Dad's next week.-It's fun!
    Hope everyone is doing wonderfully.
    Bev
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited December 2006
    Hey Ladies!! My reconstruction is in 14 days and I can't wait. I saw my oncologist a couple weeks ago and my WBC was low. He didn't think it would be a problem, but I was pretty fretful that the plastic surgeon would postpone my surgery.

    I met with his nurse practitioner yesterday and they did the presurgical screening. She called me this morning to let me know that everything was within normal limits and I'm a go! WOO HOO!

    I feel like my reconstruction is the final thing to bring me closure and I know I would have been devastated if I couldn't get it done in two weeks. So much so that when she told me it was on I started crying. What a goofball! lol

    Hope everyone is enjoying a PEACEFUL holiday season!!

    Jen
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited December 2006
    Jen hope everything is going well for you.
    We seem to be a pretty quiet bunch here now but I REALLY need a big hug and SO MANY PRAYERS from my June sisters here. My seven year old son has a brain tumor and it is putting pressure on his optic nerve. Go tomorrow to see another vision doctor to measure how much sight he has-which may permament loss. They don't want to do anything if his sight is within norms. Otherwise it is a year of weekly chemo. His doctor, Bruce Cohen who is a world specialist in NF which has cause this tumor, said it was the biggest tumor he has seen in a year and a half. That doen't sound good nor does Owen saying "Moomy see the raccoon climbing the tree next door?" It was a squirrell. I have been brave these last few weeks but here I can come and cry my heart out. Please pray for my little boy. You know that scene in It's a Wonderful Life." And Donna Reed tells Janie to "Pray, pray hard." We need that now and a Christmas miracle.
    Bev who is also known as JOB
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited December 2006
    Bev,
    Sweetie, you got it. Hard, I'll pray very hard. It's got to be so much harder when it's one of your kiddos going through this. But, you've blazed the trail for your son and that may help with knowing what to expect. He can see that it will get better because mommy did. I have a son that recently turned eight, so I can only imagine. What is your son's name?

    I will be thinking and praying for you all this Hoiday season.

    Jen, congrats on the new ta ta's.

    Happy Holidays!

    Watson
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited December 2006
    Oh Bev. Multiple prayers going up and hugs upon hugs coming your way. I can't imagine how you must feel. He sounds like a brave little boy, though. Has he already started chemo?

    Please keep us updated.

    Jen
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited December 2006
    Bev, I'm sending good thoughts your way for you and your son. ((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))

    When I was 11, I almost died from a ruptured appendix and peritonitis (they even gave me the Last Rites when it looked like I wasn't going to pull through). That was in 1969, and I'm still here, even after bc!! I know that's not the same as what your son is going through, but I want to you to have an example of how resilient kids can be. And just think of the technology advances in the last 37 years!!

    Please keep us updated, and tell your son lots of people from all over the country know of him and are praying for him to get well! Take care of yourself, too. We love you!
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited December 2006
    Hi Ladies,

    I'm going in tomorrow morning for reconstruction. I haven't been very nervous, but it's starting to catch up to me. lol I think I'm more concerned about Todd having to sit in the waiting room all alone for up to 8 hours. At least when I had my mastectomy it was much shorter and the waiting room was filled with friends.

    Oh well. This time next year people will be confusing me with Carmen Electra! )

    Bev, you and your family are never far from my thoughts and prayers.

    Jen
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited December 2006
    Jen
    I am so happy for you. I remember waking confused about time-was it day or night? And I remember the nurses laughing at me-I must have been a riot!
    Owen starts his chemo in two to three weeks. His tumor is on his optic nerve which is usually not cancer-as it turns out while scary brain tumors get their own class and are not all considered cancer. But usually the only way to get to them is chemo or rad. but being on his optic nerves means no radiation. More damage than good there. He has to have a port which makes me want to throw up everytime I hear that. And he will have 58 weeks of chemo. There was more scary stuff but that is the short of it. On the day they told us owen had a tumor Jeff and I went to Border's for Christmas presents-we are nerds with nerdy kids LOL-but I didn't want to leave! I wanted to hide in Borders with all these strangers and just sit and read-whatever. It was like some strange Sci-fi show. I didn't even care if I ever ate again. Just stay warm and snug with all these people that DIDN'T know my name....
    On the good news side we can do the chemo at Akron Children's while Dr Cohen at the Cleveland Clinic over sees the treatment every three months or less. Seemed to best of all worlds.
    Someone told me " Only people strong who can take it has this stuff happen to them." I think you'd all agree that statement stinks. We would rather have had our rosy garden anyday.
    To Carmen and the rest of you-Have a beautiful New Year's
    Love,
    Bev
    PS-does anyone know where the box is spending new Year's Day??:)
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited December 2006
    Happy New Year's Eve, all you Junesters!

    Bev, I hope your son will have an easy time with the chemo. I agree with what you said about the statement - it gets tiresome having to be strong all the time, and don't you deserve for life to be a bit easier! I'm keeping Owen and you in my thoughts and prayers.

    Jen, I hope your reconstruction went well! I hope you have a speedy recovery. Carmen Electra should eat her heart out!

    I wonder if the box is still in sunny Australia with Fi?
    We should have put a tracking system on the darn thing!

    I hope 2007 brings many good things to all of us!

    One more year away from 2005...
    Here's to all of us having the best!
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited December 2006
    Happy New Years Eve!

    Wishing you all good stuff for 2007!

    Watson
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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited December 2006
    HEY THERE JUNESTERETTES!!!!

    Wanted to wish you ALL a very happy NEW YEAR!!!

    and did you know that today is LIZFL's BIRTHDAY!!!


    HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZ!!!!!!


    Love you all,
    g
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  • danahollis
    danahollis Member Posts: 161
    edited January 2007
    Hi Ladies! Happy New Year!

    Oh Bev.... Oh my goodness... I'm so sorry to hear about your son. I'll keep you all in my prayers. Sometimes I just wonder how we are expected to deal with all this. Stupid tumors!

    Jenster... thinking of you and hoping you are managing ok. I bet you will be so happy to have that surgery over with...

    Nancy, Watson, G.... take care! I often check in here... just don't always post. You all are always in my thoughts as you helped me through one of the scrariest times of my life. You are all so special to me.

    HUGS!
    Dana
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited January 2007
    Dana, it's good to hear from you!

    Jen, I hope you are on your way to feeling good after your surgery!

    Bev, I hope you and Owen are doing well, and that the wait to start chemo hasn't been too hard on you.

    Watson, everyone else...I hope 2007 is off to a good start for you!
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited January 2007
    Hi Ladies,

    I'm home and on the road to recovery. I look like a patchwork quilt at the moment and I found a faint stretchmark and mole that was once on my belly on my new left breast. lol. I came home on Tuesday with three out of the four drains and got two removed yesterday. I'm really hoping to get the fourth out on Monday.

    Todd has been spectacular through this and I honestly don't think I could have managed this kind of surgery if it weren't for him.

    I'm looking forward to feeling normal again, but I've a feeling it will be a while.

    Bev - please let us know how Owen is doing.

    Jen
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  • RebeccaH
    RebeccaH Member Posts: 72
    edited January 2007
    Happy New Years Junesterettes!

    Haven't been lurking on these boards lately. I guess me life is really getting back to normal....whatever the heck THAT means!

    NancyM, hope you had a wonderful Christmas with the grandson!

    Dana...glad to see you're still lurking here!

    Bev...lots of prayers for your son. This sucks!

    Jenster....hope your new boobs are great!

    Can't wait for my turn at the box!!!

    I have finally found a place to use my talents. The American Cancer Society is opening a Cancer Resource Center at one of the nearby hospitals (unfortunately, it's not at the hospital where I was treated). I have volunteered to be the trainer for the new volunteers. I think I missed getting the coordinator position because I wanted to plug bc.org as a place for valuable info! I'm looking forward to using my talents where it can make a difference. I do think there will be some challenges since the resource center is going to be mainly internet driven....and the some of the volunteers are older and don't want to mess with the computer. Maybe Towanda will show up... I'm excited just to do something useful!

    Everytime I come here, I can't help but think how thankful I am for online friends. You guys are really the best!
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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited January 2007
    Hey, is there anybody out there? I'm well, and I hope everyone else is. Another follow-up with onc next Friday, but I feel good and I'm expecting a clean bill of health. I did join Weight Watchers at the first of the year, still carrying around the 25 pounds from treatment year.

    I think I'll get a haircut today.

    Updated pottery photos at www.browndogpottery.net

    Brenda
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited January 2007
    Brenda-your pottery is beautiful! The next time you have a show in the Akron area drop me a line.

    Owen had his port put in Friday and we go tomorrow for first treatment and/or schedule set up. Here is a question- Are there parents that just go to the doctor to sign their kid up for chemo?? Everytime we have met up with a another new doctor on Owen's team they had to take the MRI back for their own review. The new person involved didn't read over the the reports sent to them, they didn't necessary not believe us but then they didn't take us at our word either. Instead we have heard-Well I need to review the MRI and then we will see what to do next. Followed by 24 hours or in this last case a week of waiting. The last, the onco doctor, not looking at the MRI for a week because he had a cold! And when I called and said "What next?"-"Oh we must get port put in by this Friday and treatment started immediantly!" ???? All of this is too strange for words. Which leads me back to my question-Do parents ask for chemo for thier kid? "Hey I was passing by and I thought I would ask for a treatment of carboplatium for my kid."
    Anyway Owen hasn't had any pain except that all to familiar feeling of being hit in the back. His sister did forget and hit him today to which he knock her off her feet LOL. She was shocked and won't forget again.
    Take care and I'll keep you all posted.
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited January 2007
    Opps!
    Jen how are you feeling? Everything OK?
    Bev
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited January 2007
    Hello ladies

    I'm feeling pretty good. Every day's a little bit better than the day before. My surgeon told me to do NOTHING for 6 to 8 weeks. That sounded really good at first, but I'm already wanting to drive and clean and cook, etc. I think there's something wrong with me.

    I don't know if you remember or not, but five months after I finished chemo I started my period. Since my cancer was highly estrogen/progesteron positive I was given six months of Zoladex injections to shut down my ovaries. I'm extremely sorry to say that I think I'm about to start my period. I haven't had a hot flash in several weeks and I started some very light spotting today.

    CRAP! I had decided that if by some strange happening I started my period again I'd have a complete hysterectomy. But I'm recovering from abdomenal surgery right now so what do I do? I guess I'm overanalyzing things right now because I'm not completely positive I'm starting. Surely I'm not THAT much woman! lol

    All I know is all this has to be taken care of by June! (Hawaii trip and all that, you know).

    Bev - I think of you and Owen every day and offer a prayer when I do. Please continue to keep us posted.

    Brenda - Great to hear you're doing so well. How was the hair cut?? BTW - your pottery is so beautiful! I wish I was artsy.

    Rebecca - Your new adventure sounds perfect! I'm sure Towanda will show up when you need her.

    Dana - Good to see you around! I miss your blog.

    And the rest of you - hope your January is treating you well.

    Jen
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited January 2007
    Brenda....ooohhhh....ahhhh.....I love the pottery!! Now I have a case of "I want, I want!" Maybe when it's closer to my birthday I'll have my husband send you an email!

    Bev, I'm sorry to hear the doctors are being weird about the chemo. I guess they want to make sure it's the right protocol, etc. But it's funny to think about the parents just asking to have it! I think of you and Owen every day.

    Jen, you are a total W-O-M-A-N! A la estrogen! Your ovaries are trying to compete with your new boobs! I hope they can quiet them down again without you having to go back under the knife.

    Rebecca, I hope we can meet up for lunch one of these days, after the weather warms up? Baby, it's COLD outside!

    Hey y'all to all the other Junies!
    Nancy
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  • Fi_in_oz
    Fi_in_oz Member Posts: 49
    edited January 2007
    Hello to you all,

    its been ages I know since I've logged in here, but rest assured I still think of you all.

    Brenda, thanks for the pottery link, that is absolutely gorgeous, I love the Japanese influence in some of it.

    I've been back at work 1 year, in 2 weeks time, WOW, its flown, and yet its been packed with so much.

    Anyone else feeling defiant about going for their checkups? my last one was at the end of 6 weeks of severe "headaches"... they went into a brain scan etc spin, its great they are concerned.... but again, a false alarm.... I'm over it... so over it, I don't wanna play the cancer game anymore !!!!
    The headaches for the record, were sourced eventually to those damaged nerves in my back, massages at $75.00 a pop fixed them. Thanks Taxol !!

    This year is a huge year of change for me, my ex has applied for a job 5 hours away, and 11 year old son has indicated that his father has made it all sound very adventurous and exciting, and would like to move there too at the end of the year. OUCH, he was my motivation for fighting this f&%$ing disease and now his father is playing the "i have lots of money" card, that at such an age just doesn't give the "i have lots of love for you" approach a chance.

    On a good note, during last year ( after my wild "date a biker" moment) I met a lovely man. Well things didn't hit off for us until just before christmas (12th of december to be exact) when in a spontaneous moment we went to the theatre together.

    In summary, I think I'm now dating the man that I'm going to spend the rest of my life with, both of us are "pinching" ourselves.

    Life can be so bitter sweet, so, let the next chapter begin I say, whatever it may bring. Cheers ladies.....

    Fi     .
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited January 2007
    Fi, it's so good to hear from you! Congratulations on your new relationship - I hope it goes wonderfully! You deserve to have something go well for you. I met my husband at a party one week after I broke up with someone, and one month after he and his wife decided to get divorced. Not the best of circumstances for starting a relationship, but in May it will be our 5th wedding anniversary! So you never know - when it's right, it's right!

    I'm glad your headaches were nothing serious! I have recently felt like the checkups are something I'd love to skip. They induce anxiety, and then you are good for another 3 or 4 months. Now I feel like "I'll call you if I have a good reason to" and then skip doctors for the next couple of years! Maybe because when they tell you that things look great, it's a false sense of security.

    I'm sorry to hear that your son is being influenced that way. My husband's son is living with his mom because she has horses and dirt bikes - it doesn't matter to him that dad is the better choice for so many substantial reasons. We figure eventually he will see everything for what it really is, and he'll be with us.

    Have you seen the June box in your neck of the woods? Last I heard, it was being sent to you. Please let us know if it never arrived. It might have become lost.

    I hope everyone is well!
    Nancy
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited January 2007
    Hola, Ladies!!

    Bev - How is Owen doing? Has he started chemo yet?? Is there anything he might like from Valley Forge or Philadelphia? Please let me know.

    I have an appointment with a gynecologist on February 8th to schedule a hysterectomy. I'm really hoping they'll be able to do it laparscopically. Unfortunately I'm going to have to have a Zoladex injection on February 1st. This has me more upset than anything I've been through so far. My stomach is so very tender from reconstruction and the thought of a nurse pinching my tummy and implanting a capsule underneath the skin makes me want to cry! Which is really kind of ridiculous when you consider this is one of the few "procedures" I've been through in the last 20 months that does not have some horrible risk factors. lol

    Oh well. This too will pass.

    Hope everyone is managing to stay warm! We had our first snow of any significance (a very minor significance at that) last night. Crazy, crazy weather we've been having!

    Jen
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited January 2007
    Fi! good to hear from you! I enjoy your adventures but I am so sad your son wants to move so far away with his dad. Actually if you can get him to to hang around two or three more years you might want to ship him off later LOL- From MY EXPERIENCE with my 17 year old I wish I could have sent him to camp from age 13 to 17. He was a pain but not a bad pain. Just moody and snappy and them silent for a whole year. I wanted to wave a wand over him or something. Now he is better and I have his 14 year old sister to deal with-"Can I go to Brady's house (boy) who's parents aren't home and hang out" NO NO and NO. "Can I go to Erica's party, who has 21 year old cool sister that can buy beer." NO NO and NO. Sometimes I think she words things this way so I can be her out. Instead of saying like her brothers did-"I don't do that" She tells them she has a mean witch of a mother. I notice she never asks her dad.
    Owen is doing great. He had his first treatment last Monday and goes again tomorrow. He was so brave last week. But he was tired and sick to his stomach Tuesday, some aches during the week and slept alot today. I keep thinking OK 9 more to go then a two week break. It is hard to see him go through this but we are playing the brave soldier card now- holding off on the curl up in bed until later. But it is hard. I may keep him with me Tuesday because that is our Hawaii Day at preschool and I don't want him to have to wait in the nurse's office while they can't reach me in the gym ( no cell signal). He can watch a movie or sleep. Maybe that will help him alittle.
    Jen sorry about the injection. Want some of Owen's numbing cream? Emil? I think it is called. How come they didn't give that to us? Or did some of you get numbing cream? Maybe you call and ask for it. Sorry about the hysterectomy as well-I am still wishing for that perfect world. For us all. I can't think of anything Owen might want right now but thank you so much:)
    We are just taking it one day at a time here.
    Bev
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