Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Hi everyone,
I am finally feeling better today. It is the difference between day and night. This time it just lasted longer- 8 days. I did jot a few things down that I will do differently next time. I had neulasta this time and took aleve- probably should have taken tylenol extra strength instead- aleve is not good on stomach- I craved pasta and meat sauce on Saturday night- meat sauce probably not good idea. Last, I will go with the ativan longer next time. You live and learn.

Rebecca, I cannot believe the doctor did not tell you to come in asap instead of tomorrow.It was only 2:30! Geesh!! Probably had an indoor tennis match or something equally as "important". I am glad to see you still have a sense of humor- "I will survive the night, and if I don't at least my family will get enough in the settlement to live very comfortably." I hope you are comfortable tonight, and give him hell tomorrow!!

Robertin,
I am sorry about your Amend fiasco. I had something similar happen to me with Amend, My pharmacist also told me that he could only give me 3 pills a month when I first picked them up. He did agree that the onc did write the rx for 2 sets of pills a month, but BC/BS would only approve one set (3 pills). He did tell me I had to call Blue Cross and appeal it. I have to say that Blue Cross was helpful- they sent an appeal to my dr by fax and i was able to get them in two days. They make us go through hoops- I don't get it. Hopefully you will be able to get them before Monday.

Mizsizzy, I will ask for darvacet next time. Love the piano playing cat.

Amera, I hope you are feeling better. I agree that your pcp might be the one to call about your cough.

Melia, did you try baking soda and salt? It does seem to help me.

RobbinJaye, maybe your oncologist is very thorough- seems we need more of them to notice us. He might consider it routine.
Viddie

Amera and Rebecca, I'm also alarmed for both of you, especially with heart rate issues. I've had fevers and chills several times that never quite got to 100 but you have to wonder if you are that close, how do you know something isn't going on? Ilene, the Emends have worked very well for me. I can't imagine insurance not covering such an essential med but I know these things happen. But I wouldn't have wanted to be without them. Best healing prayers to all of you with "bugs" and other maladies. As for me, I was the lucky winner of a big, blooming cold sore last week that has taken forever to heal, onc says that is due to low white cells. Even Abreva didn't work. But there are worse things as we all know. Gentle hugs to all - Skye

Good Morning Girls,

OK, just finished Days 3 and 4 of Cycle 3 and I think I've figured out how to deal with this. TOTALLY PAMPER YOURSELF on your bad days, don't even think about doing anything productive. Let DH make supper or eat a lean cuisine. Bubble baths, movies, lie around, drink lots and lots of water, pet the kitties, and sleep all you want. I slept most of yesterday and last night (without ativan), and dreamed, and healed and today is Day 5 and I feel pretty good, in fact, the best I've felt since chemo started. I feel like I am healing from cancer. Don't tough it out! Sleep, heal..

I've only got one round to go but some of you have longer than that (my onc realized I was too much of a wimp for more than 4 rounds). Take care of yourselves, pace yourselves, heal...

Mizsissy

You have it right, Mizsissy.....pampering ourselves really does work. So glad you're down to only one more treatment. I'm envious!!!! :-)

Like you, I'm an early riser so I always look forward to your early morning posts! Have a good day!

Rita

Missy, you are right about the pampering. I have a lot of trouble sleeping those first few days with all the Decadron, though. Big cheers and congrats on being so close to finishing! And Rebecca, double yikes on the lung spot, hope that is ok. We have a big co-pay on the Emends, too. But it's that or back to the days of ten-gallon bucket handed out with every infusion. I've been channeling Janis Joplin around the house lately..."Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz, my friends all pop aspirin, I must take Emends..."- Skye

Oh, I love that quote of Janis Jopline. My copay for Emend is $75, but then I still get paid for 75% work and the pay is better than grad school. I'm not a socialist - I've seen how dependent it can make people, but on the other hand, the system here in the US sucks too. I just can't imagine how a country can let people get to the brink of financial disaster when they contract a serious illness. Honestly! My parents complain about their 5 Euro copay.
My cough is much better this morning and so it seems the antibiotics are working. The spot on the lung was during the CT scan and indicated a potential pneumonia. This was after the surgery, and I think that's when my cough started. It never really went away. The oncologist was hoping it would go away on its own. I don't think she likes to use antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. Some time during the chemo I'm getting another CT scan, just to see how things are going.
This morning I did what I was taught during Look Good Feel Better, and I put lotion on my scalp. I had just put lotion on my face too and I ended up with a bunch of little hairs sticking to my hand and they were all over my face. Hard to get off my face too, because of the lotion. I took my scarf off during the LGFB and that inspired another woman to take her wig off. It's liberating. She had not cut her hair, and it was so dreadfully patchy and probably uncomfortable under the wig. I'm glad I have stubbles although I'm still shocked when I look in the mirror.
Ah, we're having another spring day here. I want to stay home and play.

Good Morning everyone, I had my second A/C tx on Monday and it has been much harder to deal with.I have a strong feeling of motion sickness and a dizzy feeling all the time. It reminds me of the feeling you get after a migraine headache. Can't seem to read, watch tv or do anthing using my eyes.It feels like my brain is sloshing around inside my head when I walk. Anyone else have this, and is there a magic pill or will it pass after a few days?
Maybe the hybernation thing is not a bad idea?--Nandy

Rebecca, Jan, Viddie, so glad you're feeling better. Rebecca, we'll all say a prayer to erase that lung spot pronto! And Robertin, I'm glad you got your meds straightened out!!! Just got back from the gym, and am going grocery shopping. Will surprise DH with a nice dinner tonite,candles, and wine. Got my DP and Darvocet ready.

Nandy, you are on the same schedule that I am...try some pampering and hope you are better very soon!!!!

We haven't heard from Tae or Aladora for a while...hmm..

BTW, it would be nice to know what our respective end days are. My last chemo is March 5...when is everyone else finishing? Robbin Jaye, I am praying there is nothing whatsoever wrong with your tummy!!!!

Mizsissy

Hmm..can't find that link anymore, what is it?

Why don't we just list our end dates right here in the forum and I'll post them all together, then we can refer to it. The calendar is still a good idea though. I think it would be nice to have a list of everybody too, it's hard for me to keep track of you all, especially when one day's posts go into more than one page.

My last is scheduled for May 4, but I need to push it to May 8th! It'll be me and you Robertin celebrating!

Just got the best eye cream. I'd never used it before but my skin is so dry I have flaking skin under my eyes. Love this stuff. Kinda pricey (this is what I find myself saying a lot lately, but darnit, we deserve it) but it got rid of the flakes, helped the concealer go on smoothly, and helped a bit with the circles.

http://www.clinique.com/templates/produc...CT_ID=PROD11195

I am also tired of smelling like they are paving a road on my head (from the Nutrogena Tar Shampoo), so am looking forward to buying the most expensive, nicest smelling shampoo I can find when I get some hair back.

Is all this shopping a side effect of the chemo? I think it must be. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Amera

Amera,

The day before my last chemo my dh forced me to get out, shop, have lunch and a nice day. That's the day I went earring shopping. I did have a lovely day.

Yesterday, dh asks 'What are you going to shop for next week the day before chemo?' Nothing like a shopping treat each time before chemo. So I think I'll go shoe shopping next Thursday! You're right, we deserve it!

Lynn

I'm done around April 20, 2006.

Chemo #3 FEC was very tough. I suffered thru fevers again all this week, so I was back on antibiotics.

Sounds like we have a few colds, and I sure hope I can't get it over the internet. My DH has a nasty virus, so he's back in the guest bedroom.

That shortness of breath does NOT sound good...make sure you get it checked out.

I'm going for another MRI today, so wish me luck. I get a bit claustrophobic in that machine.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Big Hugs to all the January girls!!!

ps: MizSissy I think my wig place can get me the turbans with the hair on it. I'm goint to see her tomorrow as my new Red Head wig is in.

Cheers...Joni

On a funny note, to tie in with Jan's earlier comment, I just noticed that my Johnson's Baby shampoo that I'm using is also a "de-tangler"....whoopeee...I don't have anything to detangle!! LOL.

Joni