Starting Chemo in JAN 2007
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Greetings everyone...I am home for a bit before my midafternoon activities. I am glad everyone had a good weekend! Hang in there Nandy...enjoy feeling good, and use this time to build your strength.
I thought I would share some photos of my scarf. I got a few compliments today, and actually most people appear to think I am an orthodox jew rather than a cancer patient! I really think that the trick to a good scarf tie is to make sure that your scarf is big enough. The one I am wearing today is actually a bit bigger than necesary, hence the tails hanging down.
I am viewing this as a fashion statement, and try to integrate my headgear with my outfit. Enough women wear headscarves for a variety of other reasons that I do not think it is necesary to feel self concious at all! Do it, carry it, and let it be your look.
If you want to see my pics....check it out!
Rebecca's Scarf
Cheers! -
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I thought I would share some photos of my scarf. I got a few compliments today, and actually most people appear to think I am an orthodox jew rather than a cancer patient! I really think that the trick to a good scarf tie is to make sure that your scarf is big enough. The one I am wearing today is actually a bit bigger than necesary, hence the tails hanging down.
Your scarf looks great! And you know, I never thought about looking Orthodox Jew...since I am actually Jewish, I wonder if I could pull it off? Although the tattoo I have would give me away as not being Orthodox.
Ugh, I have a buttload of stuff to get done before my chemo at 1:30 but am I doing any of it? No way, I'm sitting on my ass in front of the computer! -
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Oh, and while I am at it, I guess I should post some pics of my munchkins.....
Pictures of my kids
Oh gosh, your kids are adorable!
Since we are bragging, here is a link to my little monkey's pictures!
Aladora's kiddo! -
Hi everyone,
Rebecca, Love your scarf. You look so "chic." I am happy you are feeling good.
Freshman are like preschoolers. My daughter graduated college in May, but I remember so well the first "panic" call. She ordered her books online at college, and when they asked how to deliver them, she x'd "ground." When she went to pick them up, they said they were in the mail on the way to our house-10 hours away. She called in such a panic not knowing what to do. Now really!!! She graduated 10th in her class- what happened??? I called the bookstore and they apparently did not mail them yet and were able to retrieve them from the mailroom. You wonder why she didn't talk to someone in charge them in person???? Dah!!! I also wonder why the college would mail them out knowing she was a student and class started the next day.
In November of her freshman year, when the shuttle bus did not come in time to take her to the airport, she called me- not the shuttle bus!! That time I did tell her to call the shuttle bus directly. She did finally did grow up to be a fine independent young lady who we are very proud of and living in D.C.-graduated cum laude- she was not stupid- just a scared Freshman out of her rural Cape Cod environment for the first time!
Rita, Hopefully pregnant Bree will remain, but she will not have a husband- judging from happened last night. Yikes! I will try your approach when people look at me sadly.
Amera, I am glad you are feeling better.
Rebecca and Susan, your kids are so adorable!!
Nandy, I am also on antibiotics. My wbc was .8 on Wednesday, but my oncologist told me I could go to work on Saturday. I guess I didn't have to listen to her, but I did go- hoping for the best. She just told me to use Purell a lot. All doctors are different. I am glad you are feeling good. Do they take your blood every week? They only took mine because I had a fever and a finger infection. If they took mine the week before, and noticed my counts were low, I might not have gotten the infection. Oh well!! At least now I will start getting the Neulasta shots after the chemo sessions. That's good.
I hope everyone has a nice day.
Viddie (Paula) -
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Your scarf looks great! And you know, I never thought about looking Orthodox Jew...since I am actually Jewish, I wonder if I could pull it off? Although the tattoo I have would give me away as not being Orthodox.
Thanks Aladora...my Tattoos give me away as not orthodox either . I am also actually jewish...like the from brooklyn/russian grandmother type.
Did you do the genetic testing for the BRCA mutation? I just had my blood drawn and I am very nervous about it. Being Ashkenzi places me at risk, and also my daughters -
Aladora he is such a cute little busy guy! How precious!
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Hi girls,
I just got off the couch after 3 days really doing nothing. I just don't have the energy that I had after the first treatment. I am glad everyone is getting used to the head "thing". I went to dinner on Sat night wearing a bandana. My stomach was kinda upset and I had to use the restroom three times. Everytime I got up from the table, I felt like the other customers were having a pity party for me. We were just happy that I felt good enough to go out. I do have that bad taste in my mouth though, but feel better today.How is everyone else doing?? Keep me posted.ilene -
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Hello all. Just got back from the doctor. She says that next chemo we will have the visit, the blood test and the chemo on the same day, so I don't have to drop by all the time. She was really happy with the lack of side effects I am showing. She says that this will continue to be so; the only side effect that will get worse is the fatigue, because that will build up. Hey, I can handle fatigue. On top of that she told me that AC is a lot harder on the body than Taxil. Isn't that exciting. Oh, and I mentioned about the Neulasta being given immediately after chemo. My doctor says that this is becoming more common in cliniques. They're trying to save on travel time. Well, I prefer to make an extra trip, and besides that, my clinique will continue to give it 24 hours later. But KU med center in Kansas City also give the neulasta immediately after chemo. I love looking at all the pictures. We have a wonderful bunch of people here and it's fun to "meet" the family. You know, years ago (in the 70's) I lived in Antwerpen, Belgium, smack in the middle of the orthodox neigborhood. I just loved living among them. Friday evenings were always magical when everybody was walking to the synagogue. It was like being in a different world. On occasion I would go to the synagogue of the conservative jews, so no sideburns and tailcoats. I think that's where most of the diamond dealers would go, because from the balcony I'd see a lot of "business" going on. They had the best cantor and I loved listening to him sing. Ah, that makes me homesick.
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Ha, I just noticed that I spelled clinic as clinique. Well, the bonus days for clinique are here in town. I guess that's on my mind. Time to go shopping.
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you look great! i love the scarf.
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Good news tonight !! My wbc went from 1.4 last week to 17 this week--Thanks Neulasta !!
Rebecca I LOVE your scarf, how did you tie the back?? -
Everything went well today. In fact I feel pretty good.
They got the blood draw on the first stick. Yay!
I got a call from my GP's office. The sore throat I had last week was THRUSH. So thrush along with a canker sore, makes for a miserable mouth. So I'm on an antibiotic and DIFLUCAN.
Ain't chemo grand?
But I feel good today and am looking forward to another good day tomorrow, then chemo again on Wed. That is if the Onc can make it here. We are in for 6-9 inches of snow here and 9-13 up north where he has to drive from.
As much as I hate the thought of chemo # 2, I hate the thought of having to wait another week for it, and then being squeezed in with all of next week's patients.
I'll quit complaining now. -
Brenda, what else, besides the sore throat did you have? I have a sore throat and a white coating on my tongue--everything tastes like soap. I wonder if it's thrush. I should call tomorrow. My daughter had strep about 2 weeks ago so I assumed that was it but maybe not. I am off to look up thrush on Web MD. Blech!
Amera -
Yay Nandy!!!!!!!!!!!!
On neulasta my WBC was actually ABOVE normal when I had my weekly bloods taken. Strange. My Onc said that it was normal. In my case probably a good thing since I have all the kids running around, as well as all the germs that go with them.
As far as tying the knot on my scarf, I actually learned from watching a video on the internet....
tying instructions
To get it to look like mine in the picture you need a fairly large scarf...which then needs to be fairly thin. That one is very gauzy cotton. -
Amera - I had the white tongue and sore throat too. I described it over the phone and they called in a Rx for me. After that it went away really quickly.
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I ordered some of the same scarves last week. I can't wait to see them.
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Hang in there Brenda_D! I will cross my fingers for you so you get your meds on schedule.
Nice picture of curly Ilene!
Glad to hear that you are feeling well Robertin.
Amera if you have a white coating on your tongue it is almost definiately Thrush I would think. Blurg indeed. Poor thing! Hang in there.
Haven't heard from RobbinJaye or Mizsissy in a while...hope everything is well with you all!
I did very well today considering, but I think I did a bit too much today I think, so now I feel pretty green and yucky. I ate some dinner, and that helped settle me, and give me a little boost of energy but I do not think it will last very long. Ah well. Off to the shower, and then.....? :-) -
Good Evening!
Wow, great to see all the pics out there and all the conversation. I finally am out of bed and downstairs for the evening. Had to get on the computer to read all the messages from all my sisters here!
This round was definitly worse for me but now that day 4 is done, I think I'm on the upswing! And boy did I have myself a nice little pity party today, whined pretty much all day and dh was just wonderful as usual.
Mizsissy, where are you? Haven't seen any posts from you and am wondering how you are doing. Please check in with us!
Speaking of shopping, the day before my chemo last week I went earring shopping. Figured I'd buy some nice dangly earring since I'll be wearing scarves. My sister also brought me a bunch of hers as well. Anyone else wearing dangly earring with their scarves, etc?
I also have a tattoo!
Lynn -
Oh yeah, the big danglies with the scarf. My 4 year old told me I looked like a pirate yesterday. And I did ;9
Re: a tattoo, I was planning to get one on my right wrist, but now that I've had bc surgery on that side, no dice. Damn!
Amera -
Dangly earrings here too. I found some really cute ones at Target. I'm curious about everyone's tattoos - I've always wanted one and have been thinking about getting my first once all of my treatment is over.
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Oh yes...dangly earrings indeed. I too found some nice ones at Target. My favorites were given to me as a gift by my mother-in-law this year though.
Jan, as far as tattoos go, I have two of them, and in both cases they mark significant life events. I have a sun tattooed on my back, so that the sun is ALWAYS at my back. I got that one when I left the home of my childhood (Long Island) for good. The other is a braided band around my upper right arm. My husband and I got matching ones on the 10th anniversary of our meeting. I am thinking that I might get another tattoo to commemorate this battle that I have been forced to fight (that is besides the obligatory nipple tattoo) but I am unsure what form it will take, or where I would put it. Time to consider it still. -
Hi Girls. Glad to hear we're doing okay. I have hats galore and a couple of scarves but like going "commando". I think it bothers my mother to see my bald head but my db is fine with whichever way I go. If people are uncomfortable seeing my bald head that's they're problem. I wear big dangling earrings and lip gloss and off I go. The other day I was at the department store and was telling my Mom a joke and the saleslady couldn't understand how I could be so happy! She could see the port tubing in my neck and was blown away by my attitude. I told her you have to laugh and make the best of things. I returned to the gym and treadmill today and really feel good. I guess it's about 5-7 days after treatment that stink. Next treatment is 2/21--I think that's Ash Wednesday so no chocolate!
Take care girls. -
Hi Folks,
Well I'm back--for a little while anyway. The past few weeks were not good ones for me; it seemed like everything that could go wrong in my treatment plan did. The Neulasta was refused by insurance, daily Nuepogen shots were set up but cancelled by a new nurse, I lost the nurse who was my lifeline and I got a kidney infection and took antibiotics..they were great for the constipation, but things were moving so fast through my body I wasn't getting many nutrients.
I just had NO ENERGY. The first two weeks I was running a mile and doing strength training, but I never seemed to recover from the second infusion. Except for a once-a-day walk, for ten days all I have done is lie around. I keep on getting nice IDEAS of things to do, like a painting I'd like to try or some sewing, but each time I try some I just don't have the energy to get keep going. I am not the kind of person who can stand to be lying around in bed.
Losing my hair was traumatic, even though I was prepared with hats, turbans, and bangs (which are quite comfortable BTW). I have never been so emotional...crying at the drop of the hat, getting into arguments with nurses. I felt like I was coming apart at the seams. Two weeks ago I was a pretty together lady dealing--*bravely*--I thought, with breast cancer, and then I totally fell apart.
I've been getting Neupogen shots sporadically but they don't seem to be raising my WBC, which right now is borderline normal/low. My chemo is scheduled for Thursday, but I feel too tired to deal with it. I'm going to have it changed to Monday, get some more Neupogen shots, and try and build myself up a bit with more exercise. Also...with a Monday infusion, I'll be able to get my Nuepogen shots all week with no weekend interference.
One other little quirk---which I haven't told anybody--not even DH--is that I found a lump in the other breast. It is deep behind the nipple and I can't tell if it is a gland or something new...but I'm seeing my surgeon on Wednesday. I'm just deciding it's *nothing* and not going to worry about it, but I'll at least get it checked out.
My husband has been a real darling this week, taking lots of extra time off, doing all the cooking & cleaning, and not complaining. It was his idea to come home early yesterday and drive to my appointment, and he's staying home all day today. We're expecting a big snowstorm--somehow we've got to find our way through 25 miles of heavy snow so I can get another shot, but we'll have a nice warm fire to come home to.
So....how's that for a lot of self pity!!! I think taking a break right now is a good idea, and I think I'll be able to deal with the next round a lot better.
Anyhoo, I've been checking in from time to time and reading your posts...I've missed you all!
Mizsissy -
Oh Mizsissy...words can not express. You are having such a rough ride, but I also think that you are not giving yourself credit. You ARE dealing with this bravely...you just have to remember that there is only so much that any one person can deal with, and you have been dealt quite a bit.
Drive safe today to get your shot, hang in there and always remember that you are not alone. -
I agree with Rebecca. You *are* dealing with this and bravely too. There is no other way to do it. This is a ride I'd not wish on anyone, but you will come out the other end, wiser and stronger. We all will.
The hair thing is tough. More so than I thought. We've all discussed it before, but it's as if it makes things so real. We have cancer, this is tough, this is real. We cannot just pretend we don't feel well for a couple of days and go on once we're back to ourselves. The damn hats and scarves are a constant reminder of what's going on. I am having a hard time with this too.
Please check in when you can. You are surrounded by your sisters here. We we be your strength for a while. Be well,
Amera -
Hi everyone!
Nandy...Great report on the wbc. You have this all figured out! Wonderful news!
Brenda...Glad you're feeling better. Hey, I am learning all kinds of things on this journey. I'd never heard of thrush before in this context. If asked, I would have guessed that thrush was a bird! :-) And it sounds like it IS for the birds!!! Good luck tomorrow. The snow is attacking us with a vengence right now. Besides the snow, the winds are causing blizzard-like conditions and everything here is closed. It's a good day to curl up and read a good book. Hope your chemo goes through tomorrow as scheduled and good luck with it.
Mizsissy.......GLAD TO SEE YOU BACK! I had been watching for you! Hang in there. It has to get better. HUGS!!!!
I love all the pictures you are posting.....kids, family, scarves, hair fashions.........etc. Keep them coming. It makes this thread so much more personal.
Lynn...so glad that you are on the mend. I think the two of us are responding very much the same to our treatments. Maybe it is because of the 3 week interval between them. I know that I am really dreading the first few days after my next one on Friday. I'm such a wimp! And as for pity parties.......there's not one of us on here that hasn't had several!
Hope everybody has a good day today! Hang in there gals! Although some of these days seem like they are weeks long, this is only temporary! WE CAN DO THIS!!!! WE WILL WIN!!!
Rita -
Mizsissy, my heart goes out to you. This is hard to deal with and we are all giving it our best go. Sometimes it's ok to not feel like the brave warriors we are trying to be.
I know one of my worst fears is finding a lump in my other breast. Not so much because it means more cancer (I already have mets), but it would mean I have to go through "everything" all over again, and then I would have a melt down too.
I really hope that things turn toward the better for you, and quickly.
Hugs to you... Brenda -
HI gals, thanks for all your kind words. I cannot tell you how much...
Amera, I think you nailed it...Quote:
We have cancer, this is tough, this is real. We cannot just pretend we don't feel well for a couple of days and go on once we're back to ourselves. The damn hats and scarves are a constant reminder of what's going on. I am having a hard time with this too.
I hit bottom a few days ago, and then I got some wonderful emails from friends I had made here at the BC site. And that made all the difference.
I've been enjoying all the photos of all your kids and family. I don't have kids (always wanted to, but couldn't), but I have a "family" consisting of DH and some wonderful furbabies. I'll be sending photos of those along.
Love & hugs to everybody,
Mizsissy
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