The Chemosabe March Cruise

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  • musicmom3
    musicmom3 Member Posts: 31
    edited April 2007
    Patti - I believe condom use is recommended to reduce the risk of vaginal or urinary tract infection. Since our white count drops, we are at a much greater risk of this and then doubly hard for our bodies to respond and attack the bacterial invaders if we get sick! I had a tubal after my last child 13 years ago, so at least I don't have to worry about pregnancy!

    So last week, I learned that my oncologist is leaving the area. Then a few days later, my family doc of 20 years had a heart attack. Please pray for him as he has truly cared for my physical, emotional and spiritual health. He delivered my babies and gave me my cancer diagnosis. We've prayed together in his office for my children, my husband, and myself - a truly old fashioned physician. His kids are the same age as mine and I can't stop thinking and praying about him and his family.

    I went to work today in spite of the low white count. I wore a surgical mask and nearly asphyxiated. At 8:30 am, I put in a call to the oncologist's office and asked if I should be at work. Called again at 4 pm and told the nurse, "since I'm almost done, I assume it's ok to be working." She swore he'd call me - he never did. I guess I'll be looking for a new oncologist anyway, but it annoys the heck out of me that they can't take a few minutes to at least tell a nurse to call me back with a yes or no answer. I'm in the business, and I diligently try to return phone calls as quickly as possible.

    I'm feeling pretty good today, walked a mile after supper tonight and plan to work tomorrow and Wednesday before the next "fill-up". Got my hair buzzed over the weekend and wore the wig to work. Today one of the docs said to me, "cheer up, at least you still have your hair". I said, "No I don't". I heard him say "well I'll be damned" when I was walking away.

    Hugs to all.
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  • dmknanny
    dmknanny Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2007
    Hey girls
    Just got back from the Look Good Feel Better session - got 2 wigs and a bag full of cosmetics, as well as some really good tips. Best tip of the night - if you are getting your hair buzzed, take some strips of velcro along. Then, have your bangs or any longer areas of hair cut off, and attach them to the velcro. You can then use your own hair as a velcro-on strip to put in a hat or scarf to give the appearance of hair (bangs or longer in the back) without having to wear a full wig! I shared this website with the other girl who was there, who was recently diagnosed, because all of you as well as many other discussion boards that are here have helped me through the hardest time of my life, and I am hoping she can find the same support. Thanks to all my fellow March cruisers for being here when I need you........
    Diana
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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited April 2007
    pmarsh -- My onc said to use condoms because the chemo in secretions could hurt DH, but it makes sense that they would protect us from infections, too.

    Melissa -- Hope everything is OK with your daughter. It's so hard when your kids are sick.

    musicmom -- Great reaction to your wig! I also worked today and went for a mile walk around dinnertime. But my walk was pushing it a bit too much -- I've been collapsed on the couch since we got back.

    Diana and Nancy -- Good luck with tomorrow's tx.
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited April 2007
    Well girls just sitting here watching the basketball game and drinking my water to get ready for tomorrow. After tomorrow 1/3 done...yahoo!

    JannsM, sorry you are feeling a little down. You are using biotene toothpaste and mouth wash aren't you. Be sure you are using a soft toothbrush and swish with the mouthwash everytime you eat something. Hope your mouth and lip clears up soon.

    Musicmom3, I'm so sorry about your doctor. I will include him and his family in my prayers. Good luck in your onc search.

    Angel, haven't seen you post lately....are you okay? Sending you lots of gentle {{{{{hugs}}}}}.

    Good luck tomorrow Diana and Bettye, i'll be thinking about you.
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  • marshabel
    marshabel Member Posts: 142
    edited April 2007
    Melissa - I'm hoping everything went OK with your daughter.

    Well girls, I am bald as a billiard ball today! Kind of a relief that it is all finally out. I escaped from my house arrest today and went to Walmart. I bought a do-rag and a satin wrap, both for less than $3.00 ! They work REALLY well, because they are formed to fit on your head, hence no slipping, and they have long ties that you can wrap around a couple of times, or leave long tails in the back, etc. I put one on with a ball cap today, and it looked pretty good and was cooler and more comfortable than my wig. It even looked good by itself. Check it out -- they were on the aisle with the hairbrushes, etc.
    Going in tomorrow for my blood counts and to see the onc. If my counts are OK, then I'm scheduled for round two on Wednesday. Good luck to everybody this week!

    Marshabel
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  • marshabel
    marshabel Member Posts: 142
    edited April 2007
    Hey, were there any men at the Look Good Feel Better workshops? My husband was acting like he wanted to go with me, but I told him that it was all about makeup, hair, etc. Poor thing, I think I hurt his feelings....he is being SO supportive through all of this!

    Marshabel
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  • dmknanny
    dmknanny Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2007
    Marshabel-there were no men at the meeting I went to, but I think it would be great if your husband went with you! He can see all the steps we women go to to be beautiful, and I'm sure his presence will make for a much more interesting meeting! I also think it's great that he WANTS to be there with you!
    MusicMom-so sorry about your Doctor - I hope he has a full recovery-that is such an important relationship to have and a hard one to replace
    GrammyNancy-I'll see you at the bar! Just remember, no drinking and driving.....
    Diana
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  • Angelflight
    Angelflight Member Posts: 163
    edited April 2007
    OMG I should know better by now. Just wrote to everyone and lost the darn post again. Well here it is in a nutshell.

    Someone mentioned they couldn't get a blood draw from their port. I couldn't either and they laid me down. That worked but when I went to the ER they tried that as well and it didn't work that time. Wondering if I'll have that problem next time as well.

    For those with the upset stomach and bowels. Steer clear of any and all milk products that's what I was told. Also try yogurt with active cultures to help with both. It finally worked for me.

    Hope the daugher is fine.

    Some great ideas for my party and love the movie and popcorn night. That's a definite as well as the hubby bbqing. I am a planner and always have been so to me it's nothing to be planning everything. They all know if I need to lay down they're on their own.

    Whoever mentioned the wig cap I thank you. I already had 2 and totally forgot about them and I just bet they'll help for the scarves and hats. Just wish there were some better options because I wore my hat for 2 days now and it's just too hot here. I can see now I'll be staying home and going bald most of the months to come. Oh well gotta do what I have to do.

    Went to Wal-Mart to pick up a lint roller and breast enhancers. Bought 1/2 the store and forgot the breast enhancers and lint roller....wouldn't ya just know it..lol
    Oh well there's always next time. I just hope my Wal-Mart carries the breast enhancers.

    Holly,
    Glad you're feeling better and noticed you live in LA. I'm in Palmdale over the hills but still in LA county. What city are you in?

    Whoever had the skin broke out on their tummy. Get some Cytaphil Lotion and use it from top to bottom after a bath. It will help stop breakouts as well as heal them.

    Whoever had sex this week I sure hope you video taped. We girls that aren't getting any need the thrill.........j/k

    Nancy,
    I'm doing magnificant again today. Have been for a few days now. Been busy shopping and crocheting. Working on a new hat for me right now as well as a Layette Set for a friend having a baby. Can't keep me out of the stores either....lol

    Whoever has the mouth sores or lip hurting. Use your Biotene like stated above. It will cure what ails you girlie...lol

    For those feeling like crap today or the past few days I pray for the good days again for you all.

    Ok now I have a question??????????????????????
    I had on my list to pick up some Colace at Wal-Mart to replace my Senekot S. Now can someone tell me why I was changing from one to the other. It was in an earlier post but can't for the life of me remember why.?????????

    Love to everyone,
    Angel
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited April 2007

    Colace is a stool softener rather than a laxitive. It makes bowel movements softer - so keeps things moving and easier to go. If used on a regular basis (especially right before and after your treatment) it can help you avoid constipation - but won't give you the diarhea that laxitives can. Jacque

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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited April 2007

    Marshabel - you might contact the Look Good Feel Better group to see if they think your hubby should attend. It wouldn't bother me to have him there, but some women might be intimidated since they are already not feeling too pretty. Then, if they suggest he not go, you aren't the bad guy! Jacque

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  • MisK
    MisK Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2007
    My next tx is changed to 4/5. Hope all is well with everyone.

    MisK
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  • sybilvox
    sybilvox Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2007
    Hi Ladies,
    My next treatment is April 12th - 4th and last AC ! Start 12 Taxols & Herceptin on May 3rd.
    These steriods are killing me. I am so jumpy, hyper and unhappy it's not even funny..... I hate them so much that I don't know what to do with myself. Suppose to take 2 on Friday and Saturday and then 1 on Sunday and Monday - well I only take 1 and then took 1 yesterday , but not today - they are still in there and I just can't stand them. Anyone else hate them as much?? I know that they help with the nausea and I am glad, but Lordy I really dislike them. This is day 5 into the tx and coffee was awful this morning and stomach is nasty - don't know about work - maybe go in for a few hours this afternoon, but my vision isn't great - anyone else experience this side effect??
    - I took a picture of myself this morning with my little hat and my big cat and sent it to my brother and friend - so they could see what I look like - wow - it is amazing to see yourself on film......
    Hope everyone is doing as well as they can. I am praying for you all.
    Let's get thru this together.

    Sybil
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  • marshabel
    marshabel Member Posts: 142
    edited April 2007
    Jacque - That was a good idea about calling before taking my husband. I sure don't want to add to anybody's stress!
    Angel - pick up a do-rag at Walmart. They are very thin and look OK even without a hat, so it's much cooler. (Sort of a pantyhose thickness.)Long enough also to cover the bald part on the back of your head.

    Marshabel
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited April 2007
    Well, back from chemo (#2 of 6)so I'm 1/3 done....hooray. Feeling fine for now....drinking lots of water and lemonade. I have family coming in for Easte with little ones so I sure hope I hold up.

    Sybilvox, seems to me that the first couple of days after a treatment my eyes act kinda of funny...peripheral vision off...it only last a day or so.

    HollyHopes, how are you doing?
    Taurie have you gotten your medication thing straightened out?

    Diana and Bettye, hope things went well for you today. I've thought of you often as I was hooked up. Sure hope none of us gets a hangover.

    Nancy
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  • jillrush
    jillrush Member Posts: 17
    edited April 2007

    Add me for Thursday - AC #3.

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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited April 2007

    My next cockatail is Monday, April 9. Jacque

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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited April 2007
    I had a great day with my sister today. She's been so upset since I told her about the cancer so she offered to take me for my cbc today. She drove me there and we talked about my cancer. She waited while they did my test and she told me the whole waiting room could hear me laughing. My white count was perfect today and I did my in-your-face dance for the nurse and we all laughed. This place is depressing to say the least and the other patients always give me a dirty look when I walk in. I'm not ready to die, I am not ready to given into this, I will not be depressed and I will not go to this place and not laugh and smile at others. I gave my sister a tour of where they give me my chemo so she won't be so scared for me. She's my older sister and I know she is hurting, so I wanted her to know that I'm going to be alright.
    We went shopping and she even took me to where she worked and I got to meet her co-workers. It was a great day. Hope you all that went to the bar today are doing OK. Hugs..rosebud
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  • playwriter
    playwriter Member Posts: 316
    edited April 2007

    hey, y'all, i found a website called chemochicks.com that has head wraps and henna kits so you can henna your eyeborws on if you want.one of the ladies even hennaed her bald head! that's a little out there for me, but just wanted y'all to know.

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  • pmarsh34
    pmarsh34 Member Posts: 108
    edited April 2007

    So I buzzed the hair today. When I was in the shower, the pubes started coming out by the handful. I thought I was ready but I still cried and was bitchy as hell. I look like a boy. I am going to have my head shaved clean. I think bald is going to be better than buzzcut. Who knows, maybe I will cry again. Good luck to all of you who are at the bar this week.

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  • taurie
    taurie Member Posts: 84
    edited April 2007
    Yay, I got approved for the Zofran, the company will give me the meds for free, hospital said if I was approved for that, Emend would go through. Hospital also approved me for financial assistance through them.
    Now another worry. My daughter had an abnormal pap. They are doing a biopsy on her the 17th. They said she has HPV and scared the hell out of her saying 99.9 percent of people with it get cancer. I did research all tonight and they are so full of it. Most people get treated and it never turns into cancer. And get this, it was the health department who told her this.
    Hope everyone is doing well.
    Dawn
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited April 2007
    Jillrush, just making sure are you Thursday, April 5th or the following week?

    Rosebud, you are wonderful!!! You have such a wonderful positive attitude....you are an inspiration!

    Playwriter, thanks for the eyebrow tip.

    Pmarsh34, I'm sorry you had you've had a bad day. I think the hair loss is so tramatic but we just have to hang on that it will come back and when it does all those nasty little cancer cells will be gone!

    Sending losts of positive thoughts and prayers to Angel, Marshabel and LisaSCDA for their trip to the bar tomorrow.

    Nancy
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited April 2007
    Taurie, I'm so sorry about your daughter, she will be in my prayers. I agree with your research....just hang in there...I know the wait will be terrible.
    Good news about your approval on the meds and the hospital. This is probably just the beginning of good news for you!
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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited April 2007

    Taurie..I'm praying for you and your daughter. I admire you. You have such strength and I don't think you even know it. Just hang in there like Grammy said..Hugs rosebud

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  • marshabel
    marshabel Member Posts: 142
    edited April 2007
    Taurie - it seems that every time you get one problem solved, another turns up. I agree with Rosebud that you are very strong, and your luck WILL turn around. I'll pray for good news for your daughter.

    I saw my onc today, and my counts bounced back up so I'm officially off of house arrest. Unfortunately, I have to step up to the bar for #2 tomorrow to get them beaten back down...LOL.... And I can't believe I forgot to ask the doc about how all of my scans turned out! A nurse told me before that they would call me if anything showed up on them, but I wanted to ask the doc specifically. You know, after waiting SO LONG to get in, the chemo brain takes over!! I guess I'll ask the chemo nurse tomorrow if it's in my file. DUH!!!

    Good luck to everybody this week

    Marshabel
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2007
    Hi Guys,
    I finally signed up for the Look Good, Feel Better session that will be held on April 11. I'm really looking forward to the free make up and wigs. If it's for free, it's for me! I also needs tips for eyebrows and keeping a wig on! Diana, thanks for the tip on saving my longest hair for a velcro strip when I get it buzzed. Perfect timing!

    Speaking of free stuff, I also signed up for at
    Chemo Angels .
    Someone will adopt me and send me cards, notes, and an occasional gift throughout my treatment. I really think this will help to cheer me, and I am anxious to see how it works so that I might do it myself later on. I'll try to keep you updated on how it's going.

    I have had 3 or 4 good days in a row, with just a few hours of intestinal disturbance. it has been so wonderful. Tomorrow I will go to my cousin's memorial service and I should feel well enough to go.

    My thoughts are with everyone who is drinking the chemical cocktails this week. I'll be there on Thursday so save me a seat.

    Latest update on my work situation - I applied for the 4 week extension and I think it's pretty much automatically approved, although I haven't received offical word yet. This lets me breathe a little easier until May 9th. Hopefully I can get my SE under control by then.

    I want to take a moment to thank everyone who is taking the time to share here. I read the posts and feel like I am getting to know each one of you. I really appreciate all the information!! It helps to know the things that are happening to me are happening to others, as well.

    Miss S
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  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited April 2007
    Good evening everyone!
    Nancy - I'm happy to hear you got through visit #2 okay. Fingers crossed for no hangover for you or for our other sisters getting infused today - Diana and Bettye. Hope you have all sorts of energy this weekend for family doings for Easter.

    Rosebud - it sounds like you and your sister had a super day togehter. I can just imagine you happy-dancing at the lab! Keep it up!

    Taurie - positive thoughts coming to you and your daughter. Once she gets educated about her test, maybe she can inform whatever doofus told her that 99.9% figure! I know how we worry about our young women we are bringing up - my daughter is 22 and I just recently checked to make sure she had the HPV vaccine. She's proud when she stays a step ahead of me.

    Marshabel - congrats on your great counts! I'm hoping my counts don't mean any more than a Procrit injection tomorrow - I was low on RBC, hematocrit and hemoglobin. But since I was slightly anemic before chemo, I'm not surprised. I'm sorry you had more hair trauma today with the shower time. {{{hugs}}} see you at the bar tomorrow!

    Sybil - I hate the Decadron, too. I told my onc. from the beginning that I wanted to try to avoid it, but he says it helps with the Taxotere-induced lower leg/foot edema. Well, I've got so much puffiness you can barely see my ankle bones anymore. If it's not even going to be effective, I say why take it? This time around, I am cutting way back on the dose, just like you. I'll post after I talk to my onc. about it.

    MissS - what a relief abut your work extension. One less worry for a while. I'm sure you will enjoy the LG,FB program. Be sure to come back and tell us about your experience - and your loot!

    I'll see y'all on the other side of TAC #2!
    Lisa
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  • playwriter
    playwriter Member Posts: 316
    edited April 2007
    Dawn - so sorry to hear about yr DD! I pray it turns out to be nothing, and that it does not dev'p into cancer.
    Rosebud -- good news about yr test results! I can just see u doing yr dance! Keep laughing, girl -- boost that immune system all u can.
    GrammyNancy -- i pray for minimal SEs for you during Holy Week.
    PMarsh -- keep yr chin up, girl. just repeat after me -- I'm too sexy for my hair...
    marshabel -- sending prayers yr way for minimal SEs

    I've gotten a couple of notes from my chemo angels -- it's so nice to get chatty little notes in the mail. highly recommended.

    misshapen -- hope yr cousin's memorial service is beautiful, and that u feel great all day.

    my onc approved setting back tx#2 to monday the 16th, as the original date of the 11th would have been right before a scrapbooking retreat i'd already paid for back in January before all this hoohah started. so i'm excited. the retreat is hosted by one of my best friends, as she's a Creative memories consultant, and I'm roomies with my other best friend. so i'm excited, except now i have to start organizing my stuff to get ready to go!

    sybilvox -- i have a black kitty, too! Mordecai sends a kitty hug to your black kitty.
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  • Angelflight
    Angelflight Member Posts: 163
    edited April 2007
    THE WORTH OF A WOMAN
    image

    One Flaw In Women
    (you will see what it is in the end)

    Women have strengths that amaze men.
    They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
    but they hold happiness, love and joy.
    They smile when they want to scream.
    They sing when they want to cry.
    They cry when they are happy
    and laugh when they are nervous.
    They fight for what they believe in.
    They stand up to injustice.
    They don't take "no" for an answer
    when they believe there is a better solution.
    They go without so their family can have.
    They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
    They love unconditionally.
    They cry when their children excel
    and cheer when their friends get awards.
    They are happy when they hear about
    a birth or a wedding.
    Their hearts break when a friend dies.
    They grieve at the loss of a family member,
    yet they are strong when they
    think there is no strength left.
    They know that a hug and a kiss
    can heal a broken heart.
    Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
    They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
    to show how much they care about you.

    The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
    They bring joy, hope and love.
    They have the compassion and ideas.
    They give moral support to their
    family and friends.
    Women have vital things to say
    and everything to give.

    HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
    IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.
    image
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  • Angelflight
    Angelflight Member Posts: 163
    edited April 2007
    Sybil
    I remember the first thing I noticed as I was getting my Cytoxin infusion the first time was that my eye sight became really fuzzy. Then came on the sinus headache. Don't know if you're doing Cytoxin or not but that was what happened to me. Mine cleared up the same day but still seemed just a bit off for a couple of days but that's it.

    Dawn
    So glad to hear about the Zofran. Does anyone know about the chemo drugs themselves? Are they trying to get those approved as well? I sure hope so and wonder when this will be done so you can get started. Sorry to hear about the daughters HPV testing. I'm appauled that some idiot would tell a 17 year old something like that and especially with her worried about your cancer right now. Poor kid has enough to worry about. I pray everything will be ok for her, but know as a parent it's hard not to worry about her. I also heard that they're trying to get the HPV vaccine into the high schools and the parents are resisting it saying it will give them free reign for sexual contact. OMG I almost died laughing. Idiot parents.

    Rosebud
    I'm so glad you got together with your sister and gave her the grand tour. I have tons of friends who ask question after question and sit on pins and needles as I tell them the quest of breast cancer. Even some men are curious. I think it's because we all know as women we're not invincible to it and wonder what we'll have to go through if it ever happens to us. Well I guess we all qualify for the teaching credentials on that one right now don't we. So glad the two of you had such a nice time together.

    Here's hoping for a great time at the bar with you girls today. It's round 2 for me on TAC and after this only 4 more to go and it will be over. I pray that this time around I can head off some of the side effects before they occur knowing now what worked last time. See you at the bar girls. Save me some more salt this time to put around my port as the last margarita had a funny taste like Cytoxin or something......hehe. Going to have the Cytoxin infused slower this time in hope of warding off the headaches. Wish me luck. I'll be there thinking of you all.

    Angel
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  • dmknanny
    dmknanny Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2007
    Good Morning Fellow Cruisers,

    Had chemopolitan #2 at the bar yesterday and all went well. All counts were good, and when the Dr went over the list of side effects and I told him I really did not have any he said I'm his first with so few on this dose dense treatment - that made MY day! Now I hope all of you can have a week or two like that. Sad to report I will NOT be the 1% not losing hair.......was coming out in handfuls today so DH brought clippers home and we sat outside in beautiful 75 degree weather and buzzed my hair, saving the bangs for the velcro strip! He then turned around and asked me to buzz his head as well - said if I was going through this he would go through it with me! Gotta love this man! Only wish I could have been enjoying that same ice cold beer that he was.... His brother also buzzed his in honor of me last week. There will be a lot of Easter Egg heads in our family picture on Sunday! Going for my Neulasta today, then on to Wal Mart to look at their scarves and get a heavy duty lint brush! I've been trying to add my picture to my profile but can't get it down to the right size.......will keep trying....THAT will be a treat for all of you~
    I've been meaning to tell you all about 2 really good books written by Lynn Eib. Lynn is the patient advocate at my onc's office, and she has written 2 remarkable books of stories of hope and survival from cancer patients treated right here in my little town. If these things are happening here, imagine what is happening all over the world! The are called "When God and Cancer Meet" and "Finding The Light In Cancer's Shadow" and they are available at Amazon.com.
    Whitecotton - I'll be praying for you and your daughter, and if you are not happy with the gyn she is seeing, find someone else!
    GarmmyNancy & Bettye - hope you're feeling as good as I am so far today
    Angel, Marshabel & Lisa - hope your trip to the bar today is nothing but smooth sailing
    Diana
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