Anyone.Starting Chemo in October 2016?

Morning, Nfullblume! Three down ... yahoo! Interesting that moving the Neulasta changed the side effects ... just goes to show that you never know unless you try.

Molly looks very cuddlelicious! Max is a "floor dog" so he doesn't cuddle with me. He shows he cares by walking over and laying his head on my lap, or by lying down on my feet. Just knowing that they want to make you feel better melts your heart, doesn't it?

Poor old Max is having a hard time these days ... arthritis, and he seems to lose his balance and slip on our hardwood floors more and more. I found a temporary solution ... I cut the necks off some balloons, and made "balloon booties" for Max. They give him a little more grip, and he doesn't seem to mind. He certainly looks very festive! Oh, the things we do for our pets!

Barb

Terry and Barb, Molly is jack Russell terrier mix, so feistiness is in her blood. It makes the cuddly moments that much sweeter. She picks up on the change in smell the second I'm home from treatment.

Barb, I'm sorry Max is struggling. I'm sure he has had some amazing good times. They certainly are like children. A big hug to your baby! 🤗 I can just see the balloon dugz!! If you wanna see something that'll make you laugh..check out the video!

Terry and Alla, I love Pho soup. I crave it!! It's cooks for a day or two too. I have a recipe for bone broth in my Cancer Fighting Kitchen cookbook. I've been dying to cook it for myself. Let me know how yours turns out, Alla! We are expecting 30s here in Florida this week. Brrrrr!!! It may be time to cook some up!

It sure is quiet here lately ... hope that everyone is feeling and doing well.

I finally went to a "Look Good, Feel Better" seminar this morning ... it was so much fun! I took off my headscarf to avoid getting makeup on it, and (I don't mean to brag, BUT ...) the organizer announced that I had the perfect head to be her model for the wig/scarf/turban portion of the workshop. I got to sit there and try out all kinds of different looks that I would normally never consider.

They served coffee and cookies ... all in all, an excellent morning!

Barb

Hello friends! Hope you're all doing well. I'm gearing up for infusion #4 this Thursday. I'm both excited and apprehensive about it. Just can't wait until it's over, I'm sure you all feel the exact same way!

On a brighter note here are a couple of pics of my grand girls. My grandson is a wiggle worm, I'll share a pic of him soon

JR74OMG....absolutely precious. The things that definitely fuel your fire. BTW noted you're a fellow Texas girl. From where if I may ask ?

FightingTheFightsending energy of comfort your way.....may you have more ease in the days ahead.

Abracadabrathe Look Better Feel Great sounds fab. They rescheduled the one from Dec 20th to Jan at Methodist. I was thinking of searching out another location as it so.

Al12first batch of bone broth turned out great.Long method and filled the house with great aroma.Going to drink in all the benefits.

A good week to all.......

Terry (aka whistlestop )

Hello everyone,

I've been quiet for awhile--just didn't feel well at all most days after chemo #3 two weeks ago and kept having low-grade fevers, and not-so-low grade over the weekend. This seems to be my pattern, to get fevers the weekend before chemo--but at least this time I didn't end up in the ER. Today was chemo #4 of 8, my last with the AC, and I can't believe I waited while they looked at the blood counts just praying that I could stay on schedule. Never thought I'd pray for chemo... All was well and we went ahead. I had a friend from Oregon visit me on her way to the airport to return home, which helped pass the time. Generally I go alone because I find it hard to be a "good patient" and chat for hours on end. But we hadn't seen each other in two years so there really was a lot to cover and catch up on. It seems that the only topics of conversation these days are my breast cancer (which I don't enjoy talking about) and politics (ditto) so it seems like work to have company. Shorter visits when I'm home--yes please, but I'd rather read/nap/snack during infusions.

Next up is Taxol, every other week. No Neulasta with the Taxol. I hear so many different things about the SEs with Taxol--some say it's easier, some say harder. I have been pretty lucky so far so I guess it's just wait and see.

We had a dusting of snow today in the outskirts of Boston--pretty, but I'm still tense from the winter we had two years ago. I'm hoping for a "normal" winter this year, which for me means the occasional storm but please not weekly blizzards.

I'm jealous of all your dogs. My beloved dachshund Heidi died 4 years ago, and I've contemplated getting another dog, but not a puppy, an adult rescue, and now is not a good time. For awhile I was working in a dog-friendly office--maybe I can find one again once I start looking for work when this is all over. "I'm a writer looking for work. Must haves: a flexible schedule, the ability to work from home on occasion, and a space for my dog at the office." Hmmm...the sound of silence? My housemates would all love to have a dog, that is, if I had a dog, so they could enjoy its company without having to be responsible for it! One housemate has a girlfriend who brings her dog over, so I do get doggy snuggle time a couple of days a week, but it's not the same, as you know.

Okay, I hear the siren call of the beef stew I made two days ago...

Love to all,

Kate

Hope88here's some info on bone broth......via a link : feel free to google bone broth and you will find more.

http://www.theholisticingredient.com/blogs/wholesome-food/10370710-the-health-benefits-of-bone-broth-and-a-recipe A friend with a slightly lowered immune system drinks a cup a day. Plus with these winter months it tastes good. Soothing. I did beef bones most recently but many say to save thinks like your turkey / chicken carcasses etc. as well.

this is the recipe I used this weekend : http://wellnessmama.com/5888/how-to-make-bone-broth/

Terry ( aka whistlestop )

Terry, I am in Orange about 10-15 minutes from the Texas/Louisiana border. How about you?

It has been a nasty rainy mess here the last few days. I have an appointment to have my tissue expanders filled this morning, and I woke up at 3 and haven't been able to get back to sleep.

Since several

If you have been posting pics of your dogs I thought I would share mine as well. Please ignore the boxes in the back ground we are preparing to move soon..

Luwusu, So far I experianced red face the day after I did taxol and thank god it only lasted one day. My hands got red too and they are still dry and red, not itchy though. I moisturize daily but neglect my hands. I wash hands so much at work that I forget to moisturize afterwords. My itchiness on my feet went away too. My second taxol is this Friday and I hope I don't get red faced or something popping up the next day because I will attempt to go to dinner with my husband Saturday night and afterwords a night out on the town (kids are sleeping over their friends house) I hope I will be ok. other then the bit of redness I have def experienced more bone pain or joint pain then I did when I was on AC. It's def managable. The good thing about Taxol so far is that I have not had any brain fog and that is good. I am also experiencing hot flashes or so I think they are hot flashes. I still don't know what they really feel like. I thought I had gotten my period last week on Monday but I was spotting everyday until now. Doc said I'm starting a pre chemo menopause. I'm not complaining.

Nfullblume & Terry, My bone broth came out so so good. I'm bringing it to work and feels so good. I cooked mine from 2pm and left it on stove on low heat over night until around 11 am. I put 1/4" cup apple cider vinegar and veggies I would put in when making stock and added thyme, dill and parsley. Long time ago I visited a holistic doctor for my psoriasis and he always pushed me to drink bone broth to heal but I never did it. It doesn't hurt to start now.

have a great day!

Connie - I am so sorry to hear that you are having such a rough time. That is a long time to have a fever ... it's so strange that they can't figure out what is going on. Are you taking anything for the fever? I hope you shake this thing off soon ... sending you positive energy and gentle hugs!

Barb

Thank you to everyone for the kind words wishing me well. I am feeling better. I think I'd gotten into a spiral of not feeling well, then not eating or drinking enough, which caused me not to feel good. I never fully appreciated my taste buds before chemo and can only hope not to become a glutton when this is all done. And I've always loved drinking water, but even I will have a new appreciation. Because drinking enough has been the hardest thing for me. B/c it's not regular thirst I've been feeling. But like I'm being chemically dried from the inside out, so that no matter what I drink my throat feels bone dry and like I can't get enough liquids.

Connie1230, I'm so sorry to hear that you've been suffering without answers for so long. I'll definitely be praying (for you and everyone else on this thread). Unless someone has gone through it themselves, there's really no way to explain to someone how it feels (physically and emotionally) to feel bad day after day. And I'm sorry you're going through that. Hopefully your fever goes away and you get to feeling much, much better. Also, I understand your impulse not to rehash everything that's happened. I keep the details brief when talking to family and friends. It feels like no one would be able to handle the true explanation of all that's been happening. But hopefully you, or anyone else, would be able to lament here, if nowhere else (if you want to that is).

JR74 - Thanks for the dog pics. I don't have any pets but seeing people's pics of their own never fails to lift my spirits. Maybe I'll get myself a dog when this is all done. Why not? Something to look forward to.

Miles - Thanks for the link. She gets it! Hope that this day finds you feeling a little better.

The snow is falling again here in Montreal. Very pretty to look at, but a pain in the butt for most other things. (Sorry ... I think I'm turning into the Grinch!). It's the little things ... yesterday I went grocery shopping and bought lots of stuff, but when I tried to wheel my shopping cart across the parking lot to my car, the wheels kept getting stuck in the snow and I was huffing and puffing to keep the darned thing moving. (It's essential to be wearing boots with good treads for this activity, or it's game over!).

Anyhow ... I'm finding excuses to stay inside and drink tea and putter today. I'm feeling well, my port incision has healed nicely, and I'm looking forward to trying out the port for chemo #4 on Monday.

Question: when I go for my blood-work before chemo, can they do the blood draw from the port? I have it done at the hospital "blood-work center", which feels almost like going through an assembly line.

Sending out hugs and best wishes to all, especially those of you who are struggling.

Barb

Connie1230 - so sorry to hear about your situation. I have been keeping any eye out for your posts since we seem to be on the same schedule. Its so difficult to know what is going on. Sending you hugs - Kathy

Hi all - I finished my AC. Starting Taxol+Carbo on Friday. I always get nervous with the first infusion.

MIles - a friend forwarded me that same article. It was a great read - sent it to my husband.

on the good news side: My daughter got accepted to Tulane University - early decision. She is very excited. And, my mother-in-law is coming to visit tomorrow! Excited to see her and have the extra set of hands.

I will post after T+C.

strength to you all - Kathy

Kathy - Congratulations on getting the AC done! And that's great about your daughter!!!! Love hearing your good news!

Nancie - I like the idea of comfortably numb! My MO didn't give me a prescription for a numbing agent, though, so I'll probably just tough it out for the first time. If it's uncomfortable, I'll ask for the cream. Thanks!