The Chemosabe March Cruise

Okay.....went back to surgeon today and am scheduled to have my port put in on Friday. I asked my surgeon to refer me to a different onc as the one that I visited week before last is such a smouck. I had PET scan and MUGA last Monday and Tuesday and haven't heard a word from him. I was suppose to start chemo there tomorrow but I just decided to heck with them....didn't seem like they cared that much. I've really been anxious especially on the PET Scan. I see the new onc on Thursday so please keep your fingers crossed for me.

Linda, I so happy you are coming out of this with some fantastic new boobs. Unfortunately, I had a single mastectomy and am looking somewhat like an unicorn.

Good luck to all.....we'll beat this beast!!!!

Nancy

Hi fellow March chemo-cruisers!
I'm ready to go - have my port already in place and healed up pretty well. I, too have a very aggressive tumor(s) so I don't want to dilly-dally, but get on with the smack-down of this Evil Thang. Besides being triple negative, I'm also BRCA-I, so I'm interested to see the schedule my oncologist proposes on Wednesday.
Good vibes to the early starters. Please come back and let us know how you are doing!
Lisa

Hi Patti - and welcome aboard! We all have the deluxe level veranda staterooms on this ship. Mothers-in-law, Boy toys, and various hangers-on are assigned to the lower decks.
You've already made huge progress on your path back to health. I had two tumors, too - but my bilat. mast and oopherectomy will be after chemo. Hope I bounce back as quickly as you seem to have!
Glad to have you with us!
Lisa

Hi, I just started my Chemo yesterday (3-5-07)...will do 4 AC then 4 taxotere each 14 days apart. Had the PET and MUGA and Port done week before last. Scans were no problem..the Port was sore and bruised but it's feeling better.
In 2002 I had lumpectomy and radiation to rt breast for DCIS. This time I had DCIS in rt breast and IDC stage IIa 1.5cm in left breast. SNB revealed 1 node postive. Had bilateral mastectomies and reconstructions (LDF) on
1-22-07. Yesterday, my only side effects were feeling a little headache on top of my head. Last night when trying to go to sleep, I had a feeling like restless leg, but all over my body. Sounds funny, but a friend who's been through it said she also had that feeling. I am taking Emend and Dexamethazone for nausea. I had Neulasta injection this morning and the nurse taught me how to give it to myself, so I won't have to do a trip just for that.
Look forward to the posts and discussions. I'm from North Carolina.

My wife will be joining the cruise. She is a 16 year breast cancer survivor and was just diagnosed with a new cancer,not a recurrence. She had a double mastectomy in 1991, when she was 29, and had AC. Her cancer in 1991 was stage two and she is now a stage IIIc. Starting dose dense AC on Monday followed by taxol,arimidex,herceptin, and radiation.
Portacath has been placed,PET scan was clean,MUGGA showed no damage from the previous AC treatments, so I think she is ready to go. She did not have a great cruise back in 1991, as I was with her then, so we are hoping the new meds are on target.

Kirk
---------
IDC 1.2cm,ER+,Stage IIIc,Grade3,Revised Mastectomy, 17 of 25 + nodes, HER2+++

Hello Chemosabes! Think I have another cruise date since last one was cancelled. Hsving a MRI on Thursday afternoon and will start chemo on Friday. Will be having AC x 4 and Taxol X 4 every 2 weeks (dense dose. Also will have herceptin for 12 months. This new cruise date actually works out better for me. It won't put me having chemo on the day my son graduates from high school.

Good luck to everyone starting treatments and those going to doctor appointments. I'll be praying for you.

Hang on fellow cruisers. The water may get rough at times but we are going to make it!!

Hi jillrush - we were posting at the same time. I'm relieved to hear that your new 'sailing date' means you won't be getting stuck on graduation day. That is a day to savor! And you are right - this dose-dense method will require our foul-weather gear now and again, but we'll reach calmer waters before long.

Lisa

Dear Kirk - will try very hard NOT to hold it against you that you share a name with my former husband who suggested I look at CA and chemo as a good chance to lose some weight!!

Good for you that you are on this board and loving and supporting your beloved...I applaud you and if I could I would give you a big hug. My fiance is an MD and having a VERY difficult time dealing...wish there was a board just for you loving partners!!

Blessings,
H

I have Kaiser too - in Los Angeles(Sunset) what's the deal with the nuelasta? I haven't been worrying about that - should I start?? It said on my receipt that it costs $2911.64 for a 0.6ml - holy mackerel!!

Cruise Members So Far:
1. Taurie, Florida, A/C + T
2. Cynthia1962, California, A/C
3. LindaDK, Overland PArk, KS, T/C, start 3/8
4. Rosebud1962, California
5. Holly Hopes, Los Angeles, start 3/9
6. GrammyNancy, Sharpsburg, GA
7. Maxgirl, A/C, start 3/8
8. Ducky1, Canada
9. Refugee, NeOH, A/C, start 3/5
10. Jillrush, Louisiana, A/C + T, start 3/9
11. Playwriter (Terri), Houston, TX
12. Marshabel, TX, A/C + T
13. Pmarsh34, NC, TAC
14. Marsha2664, A/C + T, start 3/5
15. BarbKirk, A/C, start 3/12
16. StephJ, Maryland, A/C + T, start 3/1
17. LisaDCA, Ca, TAC, start 3/13

Hopefully I haven't missed anyone.

Hey, Linda -- I'll join you in the thumb-sucking and hope that my nail doesn't fall off. (I had to have a toenail removed one time, and it was gross!!) Yeah, voluntarily (?) starting a treatment that's going to make you feel sick when you're feeling perfectly fine (mammo to the contrary) completely sucks.

I've also gritted my teeth hearing stories about long-term survivors when you don't know what their profiles are. I won't diminish what anyone is going through with this, but it's a fact that those with low-grade in-situ tumors, for instance, have a better prognosis. I did hear one that made me semi-cheerful. A co-worker's sister was diagnosed at age 30 with a triple neg tumor. No node involvement and my c-worker didn't know her grade, but she hasn't had a recurrence in 15 years.

Oh, BTW, I'm in Maryland and I'm getting Taxol, too. AC+T.

Refugee -- Thanks so much for checking in; I was wondering how you were doing, and I'm glad it wasn't too bad.

Holly -- Sorry for mentioning the Neulasta. I got myself all worked up about the port after reading some women's bad experiences, and here I'm not having a bad time at all. Like anything else, Neulasta can have side effects, but we have no idea how we're going to react until we get there.

Lisa, the only really bad thing about my port is that the surgeon -- a woman, no less -- put in right on my bra strap line. I thought it was going to be a little closer to the center. Now I'll have to have something covering it all the time so it doesn't rub. :P

Kirk, I'm so sorry you and your wife have to face this again, especially when you thought you were home-free. I hope the new drugs make this an easier time for her.

Jill and taurie, you must be relieved to get your schedule settled (especially with not having chemo on graduation day, Jill). This cruise is chugging right along!

I didn't go into work today because it's snowing and my arm isn't feeling too flexible, but I do have to get some work done...

Hi Linda. I know what you mean about other's comments. I'm tire of hearing how one person is taking chemo and it's not bothering them at all and how another took chemo and didn't lose their hair. These people don't have breast cancer they have another type of cancer and they are treated with different drugs. I know they mean well and are just trying to help, but it sure gets old quick.

I also was diagnosed thru my yearly mamogram. Never been sick before. Can't tell you the last time I saw my GP. This has hit me like a ton of bricks. But we have each other here and that is a huge blessing.

Take care. Remember...Cancer is not for sissies!!

Well girls I got some good news today....my PET scan was CLEAR. I am so relieved....been waiting 10 days when I knew the results would be back in a couple of days, thought they just didn't want to tell me that the beast was everywhere.

Linda and MaxGirl, I'm seending you positive thoughts, prayers and hugs for your trips tomorrow.

Holly and Jill, I'll be sending you positive thoughts, prayers and hugs for you take off on Friday.

Marsha and Sheri, I'm so happy that thinks went well for you both on your first trip.

I'll find out tomorrow when I sail.....hopefully next week.

Kirk, I am very sorry about your wife's dx but it seems that she has a wonderful supportive husband by her side. You both are in my prayers.

I too am one of those that has never been sick, I bet I've been to more doctor appts in the past month than I've ever been to in my life. This not FUN!!! I guess frequent doctor appts will become a part of my life.

Well, I probably should run and start looking for wigs, scarfs or hats or something...this is going to be ugly.

Keep your chin up!!!
Nancy

Thanks for all of the nice coments. Barb probably will not be posting directly on this site, but I hope to. Right now she is focusing on friends without cancer. I think since she has been through treatment before, she knows what to expect and prefers to focus her energy on others. Myself, I am having a tough time not focusing on all things cancer.
As I mentioned she had a tough time with treatment in 1991 and is taking nothing for granted this time. She is scheduled to take Aloxi at the time of
Chemo along with Emend for three days. She will also have Kytril to take home too. Wondering what others are doing.

Her Mugga scan came back very good, 69.3. So we are very happy she will be able to begin on Monday. She has a great oncologist so we are confident that he will do whatever is needed to get it done.

I wish everyone the best. I know what you ladies are facing, I really do understand!!