anyone starting chemo in Nov 2005

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  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited December 2006
    imageimage
    Cory**************Sebastian

    This is a picture of Sebastian and his daddy at the same age. Do you all think they look alike?

    Can you see the widows peek, LOL They got that from me.
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  • kim825
    kim825 Member Posts: 284
    edited December 2006

    What a beautiful baby. Yes, they do look alike.

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited December 2006
    Debbie, what's this about surgery?!? A fill? Nips? Have I missed something?

    Odalys, how lovely you are! Your hubs has a very kind face. I see how Steven had no choice but to be handsome with such beautiful parents....

    Kim, I'm thinking of you.

    I put my girl on the plane this afternoon and am a little weepy. We only had a week, and there were ups and downs, but I kept my cool and didn't let anyone's misbehavior get me off track. Sweet SIL was here just for the weekend; he had to go back to work. It all went by so fast, didn't it? Now I will try to rest and recoup.

    Mary Lou, yes, those babies look like twins. I wish I could hold a baby in my arms right now. I'll have to make do with the memories. We're so lucky that we have those.

    Love to my sisters,

    Anna
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  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited December 2006
    This was painted by a friend of ours. It is of Christ, amazing talent.


    image

    This painting is called Freely-given.
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  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited December 2006
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    I want to say to each one of my dear sisters I wish the very best 2007. May we all have a great year. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

    Much Love and Hugs
    Mary Lou
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2006
    Wow, so much to respond to! ML, those babies are definitely twins! Too cute! I love the widow's peak, too, because I am a member of that club! Also, that picture/painting is amazing. Are copies available?

    Anna-I know, I sprung the surgery news on everyone! For some reason I just didn't mention it-partially because it was scheduled so quickly. I had the exchange surgery and got my implants. They already feel so much more natural than the expanders. Daniel is fascinated with all of this. He keeps poking at my chest because it went from huge, to flat, to bigger but rock-solid, and now it is more squishy. I'm feeling pretty good. A little sore.

    Also tired......I think I am gonna go. I do want you to know that I am not blowing off the Christmas card thing, I do plan on sending out to those of you who I have an address to. It is just taking me forever to get my act together.
    Love and prayers, Deb
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2006
    My dh is out running errands that he HATES to do. I had a 10 dollar coupon for free merchandise at a florist that expires today, and he is going there! Then, he is going to Macy's to buy a pair of jeans that I wanted, but he also needs to return the jeans I bought at Bergner's (same style). They are 10 bucks cheaper! I am such a cheapskate now-I used to buy clothes at full price, never used coupons, wasted food, ate out all of the time, went to the movies.........now we wouldn't dream of such craziness!
    Time to shower, Love and prayers, Deb
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  • Odalys
    Odalys Member Posts: 2,103
    edited December 2006
    Hi friends lot's to catch up on.

    Well, this time I've really done a number on my left arm and face. Last night while walking Maggie, she cut in front of me and I tripped and landed on left side of the face. Ouch!!! Dh had to rushed me to the ER because of all the blood and pain. I tighten my lips to protect the teeth and ended up needing three stitches on my upper lip; skinned left cheeck, above the eye, and shoulder; skinned knuckles, and right knee; and the most important injuries...possible fracture left pinky and ring finger. They placed my hand in a`soft cast and sling and sent me home with pain meds. Today, I look like I got in the ring with Mike Tyson! Yikes...I'm so scared about LE. I'll be visiting a hand specialist on Tuesday. OMG...just when I was getting used to a normal life again. Did I Jinks it???

    The ER MD asked what kind of dog took me down. I wish I could say a mean German Shepard but noooo it was a 30 lb beagle! LOL!!!

    Wishing everyone a happy new year. Here is to a healthy and less dramatic 2007.

    Love and hugs....
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  • kim825
    kim825 Member Posts: 284
    edited December 2006
    OMGosh Odalys. Many hugs for you. I had to laugh about the 30lb Beagle taking you down. I hope you are feeling better real soon.
    Deb, glad the surgery went well. Thanks for the update.
    Anna, I am glad you had a good visiting week. Hope you get some rest now. Many hugs for you.
    MaryLou, awesome picture.

    I am so looking forward to New Year's Eve. This is the holiday I do in my family. We will have about 30 family and friends here New Year's Eve and then back for the day. I love it. People think I'm crazy for doing it but it is what makes me happy. I love to feed people (the italian in me), see them happy and have lots of fun.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HERE'S TO A GREAT 2007!!!

    Love,
    Kim
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  • Margerie
    Margerie Member Posts: 526
    edited December 2006
    Kim- let me know your menu!! LOL! I love cookbooks and hearing about other people's big feast menus. Since we just got back- and had everyone over for Christmas, we are having a low key New Years. I wish I could be more than an inspiration for you Kim- I want you to have chemo free days soon! Alright- I need to stop crying now....

    We just got home. Tahoe was gorgeous, perfect weather. We skiied (how do you spell that?) three days, sledded twice, a snowshoe hike with a picnic lunch at the top of the mountain, went to Truckee and fiddled around, and Santa did find us- great times!! My 5 year old learned to ski one day and was twice as good as me by the next!

    We loved Tahoe so much- we are tossing around the idea of moving there. We could down-size a little and cash out so hubby can retire. You only live once right? We love the outdoors and it is non-stop fun up there. The 6.5 hours is too long to visit frequently- so we are thinking of a move. DH and I laugh- this is our mid-life crisis. But really it is for our kids and our health and our spirits!

    I'll keep you updated. We just built and moved into our dream home here a little over a year ago. Now that we are back home I see I would really hate to leave it- decisions, decisions.

    Poor Odalys! My best friend in college ran over a dog on her bike and biffed it. She was a mess! Nothing broken, but scab city. I am happy to report the dog was fine. I still don't know how she didn't see a 100 lb. lab! I had a dog split my jeans. Well I was taking off my jeans, real tight- this was the 80's, when my springer spaniel George barged in the door, which knocked me down and my leg wasn't quite out of the jeans and I looked and they split right down the middle of the crotch. LOL! My sisters really got a good laugh at that one!

    I hope you didn't fracture your hand- life goes on with it's ups and downs doesn't it?

    My breast cancer schedule is pretty light- thank goodness. Herceptin still every 3 weeks and my nips/lipo surgery is Jan. 19th. I am still waiting to hear when I go to Seattle for the her2 vaccine. Hopefully in the next few weeks.

    Mary- love the baby pictures- the fuzzy hair has always been one of my favorite baby things- and soft cheeks and the cooing.

    Happy New Year's Ladies!!

    Love to you all!

    Margerie
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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited December 2006
    I will be imagining that Italian fest at your house tonight, Kim. My hubs and I like to be alone on NY's eve. I think we will watch a romantic movie while we sip our champagne. The French drink champagne as a cocktail, and I like that. Actually, I think it is my favorite drink!

    Welcome home, Margerie. My SIL lives in San Francisco and goes to Tahoe quite often. Her daughter and daughter's BF have a house there. She just loves Tahoe!

    Oh no, Odalys! I'm so sorry to hear you have to deal with pain meds, stitches, soft casts, etc. just when you are putting medical stuff behind you. I totally understand the LE fears. I think it's a good idea to meet with a LE therapist and to learn the self massage techniques just to know you can help yourself when these fears come up. I hope this is a short episode and that you soon get back to normal.

    Funny, Debbie, I'm the opposite. I used to fret if I found something cheaper than what I had paid for it, and I would look and look to make sure I was getting the best bargain. Now I tend to go with the flow and don't agonize so much. I figure the less time I spend choosing something, and the more I can relax and enjoy the experience the better. Maybe that has something to do with age. You are much younger than I am.

    Mary Lou, I am picturing you holding that little baby. I love the baby smell, I can almost smell it. Warm and comforting.

    Lat56, I miss you and hope all is well.

    I will be thinking of all of you tonight as I toast in the new year ahead. I pray it brings each of us good health, happy families, lots and lots of love and especially, total peace of mind. We all deserve good things. Last year at this time I was bald with no eyebrows or eyelashes. I had to sit on toilet seats so as not to spray everywhere. I alternated between Decadron highs and extreme exhaustion. I had had three of four Adriamycin/Cytoxin treatments and was addicted to English toffee. My scars were bright red and I had zero energy (except when on the Decadron high). I felt very vulnerable and was weepy all the time. Apart from that last bit, boy, have I come a long way! We are all moving forward and I pray we will continue to do so.

    Happy New Year to all my sisters and to all your families.

    Love, Anna
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  • kim825
    kim825 Member Posts: 284
    edited December 2006
    You are all funny. I will let you all in in our Italian Christmas and New Year's feasts. Let's see Christmas Eve is all fish. We had calamari, shrimp, linguini w/ clam sauce, baked clams, and lobster tails. Christmas Day is always lasagna, and meat sauce.
    New Year's Eve is all h'ordorves (sp?) We are having franks in jacket, homemade pizza (dh making), shrimp cocktail,pepparoni bread (mom making),egg rolls, swedish meatballs and I know there is other stuff in my freezer but I can't think right now. Tomorrow everyone comes back here and I am making baked ziti, ham, roast beef, corn, potato casserole, and cauliflower au gratin.
    Oh and can't forget about all the desserts.
    Tuesday I will be rolling out of bed and trying to get the kids off to school. LOL!!

    Kim
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2006
    Hi sisters! I'm "totally freakin' out" today. My left NEW breast is getting more and more red by the minute, and I have talked to my PS twice in the last 24 hours. I love him-he is from the south and calls me "darlin'." Anyway, I am back on Levaquin (I was on that one year ago, too!!!), and I am taking Bactrim trying to fight off infection and keep my new boob! I'm so weepy about it all.

    I want to play the "blame game," and blame it on my oncologist. My WBC were low last week, then they went up, and then they were 2.4 or so on the day of surgery (I was high on Ativan so I don't remember much). Anyway, my PS called oncol. because PS was concerned about the low counts. Oncol. said to go ahead with exchange, and here I am now!

    I'm so worried, everyone! Can you all just offer me some warm, sisterly hugs?
    Odalys-YIKES! I hope you are feeling better every moment
    Margerie-Welcome back. I cracked up at the split jeans story
    Anna-I cracked up, yet felt wistful at your memory of last year. The part I cracked up was the having to sit to pee so you don't spray. Oh, how I struggled with that!!!!! But, your recollection of all that you went through vs. now made me feel so proud for you-so proud for us!

    Kim-YUM. I was addicted to baked ziti during the first two months of chemo, now I can't touch it. I wish I could.

    Happiest and most blessed of New Year's to all my sisters!
    Love and prayers, Deb
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  • Margerie
    Margerie Member Posts: 526
    edited January 2007
    Happy New Years Everyone!!

    Deb, I hope your left boob behaves itself! I hope it just needs a little time to settle down. So put up your feet and have some hot cocoa- rest and chocolate!

    Keep us updated! And gentle hugs for you and your girls!
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  • Odalys
    Odalys Member Posts: 2,103
    edited January 2007
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    You were all in my prayers as I rang in the new year. Love and hugs to all my sisters, extra hugs for Debbie and Kaye (where ever she may be). May God bring us peace and good health in 2007.
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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited January 2007
    Yes, rest and chocolate, Debbie. I hope your girls behave and settle in.

    Love, Anna
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  • kim825
    kim825 Member Posts: 284
    edited January 2007
    Deb, hope you got some rest today. I hope those new girls of your start behavin. Lots of hugs and prayers.

    Kim
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2007
    I love you! Still worried, and can't get a straight answer from dh. Is he concerned or not?!?!
    Love and prayers, Deb
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  • kim825
    kim825 Member Posts: 284
    edited January 2007
    I have my "dry" run through today with the skull radiation. I can't stand the mask and hope I can put my mind in another place while this is being done. Please think of me today and then tomorrow for the first of 10 rad treatement.

    Kim
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  • Margerie
    Margerie Member Posts: 526
    edited January 2007
    I will be thinking of you Kim. When I went thru rads, I saw a mask on the shelf where we put our gowns in the cubbies. Put my whiny ass into perspective. Have you talked to Kari Lyn here (pity party thread in recurr)? She has done 8 skull rads already and I believe she is doing great!

    How many do they have you signed up for? So we can help you count down!! Hope the treatments are short and sweet. Dream of chocolate covered everything.

    Hugs,

    Margerie
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2007
    Oh Kim, I'm saying a prayer right now. When I have to have MRI's done (for my MS), I hate it, and try to envision my dear baby's little face the entire time. I hate how loud and vicious MRI's sound. I know it is no comparison to the mask, (I'd probably twitch the entire time) but I guess I'm just trying to encourage thoughts of your precious family...some of the main reasons we fight this and any disease.

    Anyway, my worry today is I have to go to the Gyn for a little bump I discovered in my, um...down there region? (blush...remember that I am the one that gets all giggly at mention of sex and other silly things). I am worried, but I console myself that it at least doesn't feel like a rock, like the one in my now former breast.

    Lots of love and prayers to all (Odalys, how are your injuries doing? ML, where the heck are you?!?! Kaye, we love you lots and miss you), Debbie
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  • kim825
    kim825 Member Posts: 284
    edited January 2007
    Today wasn't too bad. It looks like it will be 10 treatments starting tomorrow at 3:10 Eastern time. It will be 3 zaps. The longest part will be getting onto the table and positioning the mask perfectly. I have looked at KariLynn's posts. She is incrediable. She is going for Whole Brain Rads and is doing well so far. It is a little different (I think)
    I put myself at Disney while the procedure went on. It IS the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. It did help.
    Deb, hope everything turns out ok. Will say an extra prayer tonight.
    Thanks girls,
    Kim
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2007
    I'm so relieved to know it went ok for you, Kim.

    Wow, I worry about you guys like you are my real sisters. I can't wait until we all meet someday!
    Love and prayers, Deb
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  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited January 2007
    Kim, I will be praying for you too. Think of your sisters holding your hand everyday. Margerie hope all is going well for you too.

    Deb , got the email and got your card too! Loved the letter. In fact I got all of your cards, thanks so much.

    Anna, I was up there this past week end, just had to make a fast trip and back. Mom was in the hospital for 12 days. Took the stress off of last visit. I will call you next time I come that way. We must have lunch.

    Odlays, such a handsome son. I agree, girls will soon be a problem.

    Hugs to you all
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  • Odalys
    Odalys Member Posts: 2,103
    edited January 2007
    Kim, glad to hear all went well. I'm sending you some Mickey magic to help you get through the difficult times and kick those cancer cells goodbye

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    Love and hugs,
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  • Odalys
    Odalys Member Posts: 2,103
    edited January 2007
    Hi sisters, just want to drop by and say hi. Please excuse the poor grammar, can only use the rt hand. Lft hand is in a splint- fractured pinky, hand swollen.

    Margerie - yes, "scab city" for me too. LOL!!!

    ML - grandson is adorable, looks just like dad. Sorry to hear about your mom, hope she is doing better.

    Deb - hope your new girls are behaving, they are too young to be having temper tandrums, just show them you are the boss. How did it go at the gyn?

    Anna - thanks, you are so sweet. Yes, the girls just love Steven. One girl told me she is going to marry him and they are going to have three kids, another showed him her belly button one day and also told him she likes him 80% and when she gets to like him 100% she will kiss him in the mouth. OMG...I could not believe it when he told me. We told him he is not to kiss her or touch her belly button or any other body part. Geese...These girls are only 8 y/o! I think we will be having "the talk" soon.

    got to go now...love and hugs to all
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  • Danise34
    Danise34 Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2007

    Hi I am new and I just wanted to ask you ladies ...I am having trouble decideing on what to do? my onocologist wants to prescribe me coumadin 1mg a day while I have this port in me to prevent any clotting that may occur. she said this is standard procedure? also they will flush it out every six weeks the port. I am also very scared of chemo...the drugs are cardiotoxic and that has been affecting my decesions..i am suppose to have adriamycin and cytoxan together to shrink my tumor before surgery as I have Inc with extensive lc insitu. 4 cycles surgery then another four cycles of toxans then tomoxifen. can anyone help me with this ...giving me pice of mind...I don't want to put this off any longer.thankyou Danise

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  • kim825
    kim825 Member Posts: 284
    edited January 2007
    Hi Danise, so sorry you had to join us here. We all started chemo here November 05 so we may be able to help you with some questions you may have. I am not sure of the coumadin. I have a port for over 1 year now and haven't had any trouble with it. I would assume that if you are getting chemo through the port you wouldn't need it to be flushed. I needed my port flushed every 6 weeks ONLY when I was on Xeloda which was an oral chemo to prevent blockage.
    Sending you out some hugs and lots of prayers.

    Kim
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  • Margerie
    Margerie Member Posts: 526
    edited January 2007
    I hope it was uneventful!

    And Danise- my surgeon told me that studies show you can get clots with or without coumadin- not any statistical difference. I just got an arm port and I take fish oil, flax oil and synthroid- all of which thin the blood. So no coumadin for me. Maybe you can ask to take a baby aspirin instead. I am not a coumadin fan- although it is a low dose they prescribe for ports.
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  • kim825
    kim825 Member Posts: 284
    edited January 2007
    One down and 9 to go.
    It was ok. I took my Ativan. It took about 20 minutes. Three zaps. First zap I counted to 40, second zap I counted to 15 and the third was 30. BUT getting set up was the hard part that took the longest. I went to Disney again and it does help. Just wish the mask wasn't so tight.
    Thanks for thinking of me today!

    Kim
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