Starting Chemo in JAN 2007
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I would rather keep all our messages in one thread and keep it going on and on and on. IMHO, 2 threads would be harder to follow.
Lynn -
Carolin, I think you've already halved your odds of a distant recurrence in ten years with the 4 ACs. Did you take an Oncotype test? It looks at the genetic makeup of your tumor and can predict with a great deal of statistical certainty what your odds of recurrence are, and whether or not you will benefit from chemo. It's expensive, but there are ways to get around paying the tab.
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Carol, I am node negative as well. My onc is just doing A/C as the computer program she entered my info into said there was less than a 1% benefit for me to use the Taxol. I wonder if your onc could do the same for you. There are some pretty serious (long term) side effects to consider if it's not certain it would benefit you.
That said, I keep wondering if in a few years they will find out there is more of a benefit for node neg. Don't you just wish the md's would figure this stuff out rather than leaving these huge decisions up to us?
Amera -
Mizsissy...I had a feeling you would pick that one. Well, that one or the last one I posted about sticking lemons down your shirt!
Robertin, I meant to post about that link...holy carp, was that funny! This bit had me laughing:
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I finished my first knitted titty an hour before the party and wore it with one of my favorite lacy underwires. When a friend, who had been following the whole titty saga, saw me she remarked, "You really did a great job! Your left breast looks almost as good as the right one -- a bit lumpy but very realistic."
"You know," I replied, "It was my right breast that was removed."
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Classic.
Amera, way to go on getting to the gym!
Carol, I also have some hairs left on my head and a couple of them even seem to be growing...odd. It's hard to tell but I *think* that some pale blonde hairs are starting to grow...strange since I have dark brown hair!
Carol again: I wish I had some input about your blood pressure but I actually have the opposite problem, my blood pressure is really low. Like 80/65 low.
Mizsissy, I cannot believe that you are STILL dealing with the Bad Nurse! Make her go away and never come back!
Oh and one last thing before I forget...my poison of "choice" is FEC...you have my end date but not my flavour.
Tonight is going to be fun! My father bought us two tickets to see Meatloaf in concert tonight. We are getting a friend to come in and baby sit Danny and we are going to have fun...if only my wig stays on!
Ugh, I have spent WAY too much time online today, I HAVE to get some work done...not only housework but also office work. Help, I'm online and I can't get off!
Susan -
Shorti your newfie looks just like mine did down to the hair that is kinky when wet. I can almost smell her and she has been gone for so many years. My dog heidi was such a sweet animal when I was a baby she thought I was HERS, and she slept by my crib, and followed me around as I grew. To answer your question about the taxotere...I take the taxotere together with the other drugs in a lovely cocktail they call TAC. Since I get it all together I am not really sure what side effect is due to which drug. I CAN tell you that one thing that taxotere is known for is making your eyes water and I can attest to that one. I have been pretty lucky with the bone pain so far, last time I was only in pain the day after my neulasta. We will have to see what Tx #3 brings me.
Congrats Amera! I am glad you made it to the gym. It is even more important now than usual to do the things that make you feel good. I also find that when I work out I have a lot more energy. I think that is what got me through Tx #2 so well. I only stopped when I got the bronchitis. I think I will start again over the weekend I feel rather woozy right now (lovely drugs coursing through my veins .ugh)
Lynn, there is NO rhyme or reason to the hair as far as I can tell. I have hair on my arms still too EXCEPT for one small circle just south of my elbow that went bald during the first tx and never grew back. I also have a patch on the back of my head that never fell out.
Mizsissy I have no intention of abandoning ship on this group, so rads or no rads, count me in! I am not sure that we need to do a different forum I doubt that there is a limitation on pages. We could always ask the moderator, and maybe they can even clean out the older messages for us. That nurse is totally unbelievable. She sounds like someone who needs to be complained about in a serious way, but to who?
I am just back from my chemo appointment. I feel a bit woozy, but ok. NASTY taste in my mouth this time. I think I am going to try and eat something and then sit on the couch for a bit and enjoy the quiet.
Hope everyone else is feeling well. Not sure I will back it back to the PC to post again tonight, so sweet dreams if I do not. -
The problem is, is that when threads get very long like this one will (probably 100s of pages), that it takes very long time to find the end. If you just click on the thread, you automatically go to page one, and then you might have to wait and scroll 5 times...S L O W L Y. . . to get to page 100. There might be a way to make the default first page something like page 20, and keep on moving it forward and allow people to scroll backwards, but we need to ask the moderators about this.
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My surgeon said he would get me referred to someone else, but he didn't call back. I called his office today and his nurse told me that another doctor, the head of oncology, planned to call me, but I got no call today. I only have two working days before my next chemo and many problems to solve. This is cutting it very close.
I really don't know what's going on, but I'm getting so fed up I feel like chukking the whole thing.....
Mizsissy -
Mizsissy, you naughty girl, you know telling a woman's age is like telling people her weight, hee hee hee!! just teasing, I never had a problem telling people my age. Thank you for the compliment. I'm sorry you went through such a hard time with that nurse. But believe this, every thing happens for a reason so good riddings or her. Be patient you yourself know how busy these Dr's can get. I would call his office and leave a message on his nurses answering machine, and do it again in the morning. He'll call than.
Aladora, Love your reply.
Mrs Shey -
Quote:
The problem is, is that when threads get very long like this one will (probably 100s of pages), that it takes very long time to find the end. If you just click on the thread, you automatically go to page one, and then you might have to wait and scroll 5 times...S L O W L Y. . . to get to page 100. There might be a way to make the default first page something like page 20, and keep on moving it forward and allow people to scroll backwards, but we need to ask the moderators about this.
Mizsissy, I just click on the last page number and my browser goes to the first unread post on that page.
If there are unread on the previous page, then I just click on that page number. I don't have to scroll much at all. -
Alright, what's up with this? My nails are growing like crazy.... Okay, my hair all fell out the first chemo - 3rd week, but why are my nails growing like crazy?
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Hi again ladies, and welcome MrsShey, I'm so glad you found our group. And you do NOT look 44!
As for the threads, remember if we do start over for rads, we can always fid it by marking as a favorite on our home pages. The posts do get humongous to follow after a bit. I think I agree with MizSissy on that. And hey Miz, I've been to Ann Arbor a couple of times, it's a fantastic city for art and I'm glad you are finding your way back to your painting. It's so important to hold onto who we are during this time, even if it's not the same way or level we're used to.
Carol and Amera, now you've got me questioning the Taxol. I'm node negative as well, but HER2+ which is why the onc is thinking he should throw everything at me. I'll be getting a year of Herceptin too. Starting a few weeks after the first Taxol. The Herceptin is the huge thing for HER2, I know. But I sure don't want toxic Taxol if it's only a one percent improvement. I'll have to check with the onc again on that. Anyone else on that combo? - Skye -
That's because you can *SEE* the last page number now. You can only see 20 page numbers at time. When the thread is 100 pages, you have to scroll 5 times to see page 100, even to click on it.
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I can see the last pages on this long thread-
I suppose if you wanted to go page 100, you'd have to scroll.
I have no opposition to starting new threads when they get very long. I just wondered if you're seeing the same as me?
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Quote:
That's because you can *SEE* the last page number now. You can only see 20 page numbers at time. When the thread is 100 pages, you have to scroll 5 times to see page 100, even to click on it.
Odd, I just click on the thread title and it takes me to the first unread post...so no scrolling through pages and pages...In fact, this is what I see:
Starting Chemo in JAN 2007
Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 40 41 42 all
If I click on Starting Chemo...it takes me to the first unread post or I can click on the first few or last few page numbers.
Susan -
Ann Arbor's OK, I guess. I have to admit I am not in love with the place like lots of other people are. We had a terrible economy the past few years; people losing career jobs, expensive homes getting foreclosed. Most of the galleries went out of business. The only market is to sell paintings to hospitals, and guess when they end up, in the infusion stations of the oncology clinics!! My teacher & mentor who is the master of the watercolor brush has not painted watercolor for a year!!! He says he hates Michigan and refuses to paint its scenery. I still see lots of beauty around here but, please give me Florence, Paris, Tuscany, the Maine Coast, or Vezelay in Burgundy...now those are some places I could really relate to! Anything but this landlocked Midwest!!!
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Visible Page #s: For some reason that only works for me if I start from the Main Forum Index...and I usually start from my Home Page where I have a list of favorite threads. Maybe I'm doing something wrong...but those end pages don't show up for me.
Well, we can probably figure this out!!!
Mizsissy -
I come through "favs" and I see the same as Aladora.
Mizsissy, you changed your post, but I was wondering if it was a "favs threads" issue. Appears to be. -
You guys have an entirely different way of looking at things...maybe I can figure this out!!! I may be a little technically challenged here...
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Here's a favorite subject of mine, my cats. Thank you Shorti for sharing your wonderful dogs. I've been meaning to post some of little fur babies. DH & I always wanted really children, but it just wasn't to be, so we have our fur children.
Sissy, my namesake, lived with us for 18 years. At first, she was very timid and shy, but after we got to know her she became exceedingly expressive, seemed to understand us better than ourselves, and was constantly talking to us with a broad variety of chirrups, purrs, humms and other sounds. Sometimes she would talk in whole paragraphs.
Last fall she was diagnosed with CRF, a chronic disease that is usually fatal in cats. We pampered her, made her a special bed, gave her daily fluids and shots (something like Nueopogen). She loved the attention, and stayed with us two more months. When she got really sick, we would say prayers for her and she would perk up and pay attention; she seemed to understand that somehow the prayers were important...
Here she is wearing her favorite necklace (never a collar!!) I was very sad when I took the picture, and she was trying to cheer me up with a smile, as if to say, hey, this really isn't so bad!! A few minutes later she fell asleep.
Shortly after she died I got diagnosed...somehow the two events will always seem linked to me.
Mizsissy
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Hi Ladies....You have been busy! There were so many posts since I have been gone, that it took awhile to get caught up.
First of all, thanks for your comforting words and private messages concerning the loss of my mother. Somehow, I made it through everything and now I'm back, pondering how I will continue my life's journey without my best friend and cheerleader. It's just tough and I do appreciate your kind words.
I was worried about the stress and additional chemo affects but so far I'm doing O.K. I have an adult education class at the Children's Musesum to teach tonight and still need to go through all my materials to be sure I'm ready for it. This is good. It takes my mind off everything and involves me in a worth-while program for a change.
Hopefully I will be back in action tomorrow and able to get caught up with what's been happening to all of you.
Once again......thanks and hugs to all.
Rita -
Just to add one more way to view our posts:
If you already have this thread marked as a favorite you can click on "my home" then look for the "main configuration" section. Below that click "edit" for the "subscribe/unsubscribe" feature. Then look for the question "Do you want all replies to your favorite topics emailed to you?" Click "yes" and then "submit"
Once you do that all posts for your favorite topics will be sent to you by email. You still have to go to the thread to post or reply, but you can just read everything by email. It makes it a lot easier for me to keep up.
Hope this helps and doesn't add confusion -
A couple of days ago I posted about my aunt who had suddenly become ill and was dx with leukemia. We've learned a bit more since then. She is still in the hospital. Her dx is acute leukemia. The doctors gave her a choice. They can help her deal with discomfort and give her blood transfusions and she would have 3-6 months to live. Or, they will give her 10 days of chemo and see if she responds to it. IF she responds to the chemo (and it seems uncertain that she will) she has a 50% chance of going into remission. She decided to try chemo and starts today. They will keep her hospitalized while she is on chemo. We are all a bit shocked by how suddenly this has happened. So - please send some good thoughts that the chemo will help. Thanks.
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Mizsissy, I met a couple from Ann Arbor when I've attended the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. I guess the only thing we've discussed about Ann Arbor is The Ark where he attends many of the concerts there.
I know what you feel about being a land-locked Midwesterner. When I've seen the ocean, it's like every cell in my body tingles with excitement and I just want to throw myself in and stay there.
I think my land-locked state is one of the reasons I like Duluth, MN so much. Lake Superior is fabulous. I love to see the huge ocean-going ships moving in and out of harbor. That drive up the North Shore of Superior is majestic. It's been several years since I've been back there but I hope to make a trip before the end of the year.
Only not any time when it might be wintery! We're having our own blizzard today. I can't imagine one in Duluth! -
Oh Jan, I had a very special aunt also. Yours will be in my prayers.
Cindy -
ICindy, I just realized you are in western Iowa. I grew up in Omaha and can completely relate to being land-locked. Actually, I didn't feel that way growing up, but do every time I go back to visit.
I think the mid-west was a terrific place to grow up. I do miss parts of it, but not the lack of oceans and mountains. Are you being treated in Omaha?
Amera -
oh yes Lake Superior is fab , I camp alot and we have a truck with a small camper and boat . We have been "out west" as you say here many times . I was born in Winnepeg Manitoba. The shores of the great lakes are as close as we get to water .... Keep these thoughts in mind on our bad days . I always try and go to my special places in my head when fighting the vomiting and nausea , or just lying in bed before I go to sleep .
Mizsissy our community hospital has an art director on staff and every time we go to the cancer clinic the paintings inspire me . There is alot of native art and beautiful landscapes . I as you know have a space here to draw , and piant & sew but have had a hard time getting to it . Chemo SE keep me at bay manually but my head has lots of plans when I finish this chemical hase .... gardening is also on my mind .... spring is coming msot of us will be done . I love your kitty , I am allergic to cats hence dogs but I love cats and cannot pet them so I do with dog drool !!!!!! ha lots of it ...... and grooming the dogs helps my "blankness" of mind I feel sometimes .
Jan
Prayers for your aunt with lukemia .... trusting god willing all will be well . -
Well I have had my questions answered right here about my chemo regime at the top under search I typed in taxotere and this link relates and has answered my questions
http://www.breastcancer.org/research_chemotherapy_013105.html
I am triple negative too so my cancer is agressive (tell me about it )
Hope this helps the others that are taking FEC and taxol/ taxotere -
Good morning, Amera. Yep, I'm being treated in Omaha. I live in Council Bluffs. Have you been gone long? Omaha's really changing.
It's so odd being land-locked. When I drive out in far western Nebraska, the starkness of the scenery is awesome. I love it. But then when I see water, it's like all my dried up, thirsty cells start dancing "yea, YEA - it's water!" -
I lived in Omaha from the ages of 5 to 18 until I went away to college. So yes, it's been a while. I attended a wedding there a few years ago and couldn't believe how different it is. I do have many fond memories though.
Amera -
Ann, my first folk festival experience was in '99 in Winnipeg. I attended the international festival for two years and then decided to find something a little closer to home. That's how I ended up in Colorado for festivals. I loved those two years, though. Heard some absolutely fabulous music. I love Blackie and Rodeo Kings.
In 2000 the storm of the century blew through on the second night. My tent collapsed as 7 inches fell in two hours. I spent the rest of the weekend at a hotel in town and drove back to Bird's Hill Park everyday.
I have hopes to attend another festival in Winnipeg. It's a great atmosphere and a wonderful weekend. And the little bit of exploring I've done in Winnipeg was fun, too. -
I am not really a midwesterner, I grew up in Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts. Michigan was for graduate school only; but I married a midwesterner who promptly found his life career job here. I wish there were some way we could just take our retirement money and head for Italy. Anybody figured out how that might work?
The other thing that really gets me about Michigan is the lack of zoning and poor land use. In Ann Arbor, you can walk down an old West side street and see 4 once elegant victorian homes, poorly maintained because students live in them, then a squarish ugly chartreuse 4 story apartment building, then a brick ranch house. The neighborhoods can be pretty mixed up. The countryside which was farms when I came out here, has been turned into endless multiplying housing developments and strip malls. Vermont, Massachusetts, and Virginia were never like this..at least where I lived. It's ugly here.
We're are having the worst weather today, freezing rain on top of slushy snow!!!
On that optimistic note I'd be sign off fast!!!
Mizsissy
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