anyone starting chemo in Nov 2005

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited March 2007
    Yes, she was smiling. What an incredible woman. I was crying for her. I can't stop thinking about her. I am praying for her now, too.

    Marisa Weis was on GMA this a.m. and she was very eloquent on the notion of how all of us listen to our bodies so carefully and worry about every twinge, every new pain. That's what's so hard, the worrying. I was going to read Elizabeth Edward's book, but now I think it would make me so sad. She had no idea....

    Kim, happy belated birthday! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

    Love, Anna
  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited March 2007
    Margerie, the package will be at your house next. I got it yesterday.

    Deb- Make sure you know where it is so you don't have it sent to the wrong house. I know you are going to move, and I know the address in the box would be wrong.

    My thoughts have been with Kaye too. Kim glad things are going well.

    Anna -LOL, I see what you mean. I never look for us, I just go into the My HOME page and I always have my last post marked for us. Less I have to think the better.

    Talking about nails, I broke down and got fake ones. lol
  • Odalys
    Odalys Member Posts: 2,103
    edited March 2007
    Dear Kaye,
    I'm sending light your way. I hope you are sorrounded by love, and peace where ever you are. If in deed you have made it HOME, I take comfort in knowing you are not in pain and rejoice in knowing the heavens has a new Angel. I am honored to have known you and treasure the time we traveled together on this journey. I'll forever remember your courage. God's be...
    image



  • Margerie
    Margerie Member Posts: 526
    edited March 2007

    That is beautiful Odalys.

  • Odalys
    Odalys Member Posts: 2,103
    edited March 2007
    Here is my third try at posting, keep loosing posts. Grrrrrrr... what is happening to this board today???

    In honor of Kaye and Spring, here is something to get us all in the mood. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUS49XSN6Zs
  • kim825
    kim825 Member Posts: 284
    edited March 2007
    I knew it was a problem when nurse came in and asked me if I was feeling good or had any fevers. My WBC count was very low. Got a neuprogen shot. So now 2 shots in the belly a day. Good thing I have a lot of meat on my belly. LOL!!!!! Looks like the shots will be for 3 days after chemo treatment.
    Did get some good news. Dr. did tumor markers last week and after 4 treatments of Carbo and Abraxane the TM's have gone down half. They went from 85 to 45. I am not getting too excited but I am hoping that this is good news and this chemo is working. I guess we will find out for sure in May.
    Hope you all are having a great week.

    Kim
  • Margerie
    Margerie Member Posts: 526
    edited March 2007
    Yeah Kim- I think 45 is near the normal range (they told me 40). Are you having a scan in May? I'm having my PET May 2nd.

    Just got back from Seattle- got my third and final vaccine. I still go back for some follow up- but am glad to be done with the vaccinations.

    Saw my ps, he said I can get my nips anytime- don't have to wait until June. But what do you know, my April is impossible so I will try to schedule in May.

    Anyway, going to buy some beach chairs for our vacation home- Target here I come. Love the spring- everything is green here (trees and grass) for just a couple of months. It is spectacular and my rose bushes have a ton of buds- can't wait for them to open.

    Hugs to my bc roses,

    Margerie
  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited March 2007
    That's great news, Kim! Sorry about the shots, but I'm praying for those markers to keep going down.

    Little dog got spayed yesterday and I am busy taking care of my feeble little invalid today. I'm used to my bouncy friend, the one I can hardly keep up with. Now she's wobbly and oh so fragile looking. How vulnerable and precious life is.

    Spring is coming! The trees are getting those crispy buds and I love it! Kim, is the grass getting greener by the day there, too? Our rose buds are not yet visible, Margerie, but I do like to be called a bc rose. Thank you!

    Margerie, is the PET scan a yearly event? I don't get scans. I sort of wish I did. With all the bad news we are hearing these days it would be nice to get a clean bill of health.

    Did I ever tell you that we used to spend part of the year abroad, usually four months or so. We had to cut our trip short in 2005; that's when I was going through all the testing and was finally diagnosed. We couldn't go last year either, I was getting weekly Herceptin. But we are planning to go this year! June through October. Yikes! I'm trying to work out all the issues, like where (and how) to get my blood draws, etc. I will see my oncologist just three more times before we leave. She has shown me exactly how to do self checks while I am gone. I will be wearing my trusting cap this summer.

    I have a laptop over there, so I will be checking in with you all. I will need you more than ever!

    I get my port taken out tomorrow. No anesthesia. On the one hand I'm glad about that. No worrying about begging them not to use my arms. On the other hand I am terrified! That port is so deep inside me. I sure hope I don't hear anything yucky. I plan to keep my eyes shut tight, that's for sure.

    Are all of you port free now? With or without anesthesia? Yucky sounds?

    Love to all of you, Anna
  • kim825
    kim825 Member Posts: 284
    edited March 2007
    Margerie, I am not sure of my dates yet for scans. Sometime in May. Glad you are done with the vaccine. Spring has sprung here. Who would have thought 2 weeks ago we had 13 inches of snow.
    Anna, you trip sounds awesome. I am so happy that you are able to go this year. Hope everything went well today getting your port out. I still have mine and will probably always have it.

    Hope you all have a great weekend.
    Kim
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Hi, dear sisters!
    I just tried to catch up a bit on all the posts I have missed. So much happening!

    Here is a quick update on our lives....
    The first people who looked at our house (on the 14th), put in an offer on the 16th. Our house sold by the end of the day! All that horrid work really paid off!

    Now, we are waiting to get into our new house (which we had purchased that same week).

    In the meantime, Greg moved up to Chicagoland on Sunday and has been a "Squatter." Our realtor owns several properties, and is having Greg stay in vacant ones until the buyers/renters are due to move in. He has been in 3 different places so far.

    I hate being a single parent! I don't know how people do it. I am exhausted! That is why I haven't been around for quite some time. I shouldn't even be on right now, but I miss you all terribly.

    I miss Greg, terribly, too! I can't call him on a whim like I am accustomed to doing. I miss him.

    My nipples are so weird. They looked huge at first and have been deflating. Greg was the one to put the Neosporin on for me until Sunday. When I did it on Monday, I was so weirded out by how....flabby?....they felt. I was expecting them to feel like the originals.

    Nonetheless, I am really happy with how much more normal the boobs are looking. Tattoos are on the way!

    Ok, should go...Love and prayers, Deb
  • Odalys
    Odalys Member Posts: 2,103
    edited March 2007
    Hi ladies!

    Kim - great news about the tumor markers. I hope this new chemo cocktail continues to kick those cancer cells butt. Prayers are working. I will continue to pray for you and will post again in the prayer thread so the other ladies can continue to lift you in prayer. Don't worry dear sister we have your back covered. With God, all is possible!

    Margerie - glad to see you are doing well and were able to finish the vaccines. Wow, that was some commute. How long do you stay at your vacation home? Sounds like so much fun!

    Anna - Poor doggie. Wow, glad to hear your port is coming out, another milestone in this journey. How does it feel without it? I felt so liberated. How are your daughter and SIL doing? Where abroad will you be staying? Must be nice to get away for a while.

    Deb - I've missed you. I kept looking at the other threads in hopes you had posted an update. Glad to hear you sold your house, note easy to do these days. When do you join your hubby? I know what you mean about being a single parent, my dh travels all the time so I get to stay with Steven. Boy, it's so much work for one person. I don't know how some woman do it with multiple kids. My heart goes out to them.

    Mary Lou and lat56 - Where are you? I miss you.

    Well, I've been dealing with some eye infections and another dental abscess this week. Oh yes, and my hair is thinning. I got a pixie cut so it will look fuller. Onc told me it's due to the low hormone levels and he does not expect for it to fall out completely. Great, hair thinning... like I really need that. I tell you the aftermath from all the chemo, rad, and hormone treatments is not easy. Okay, enough venting. I will put on my big girl panties and deal with it.

    We are going to drive up to Maryland to visit some friends next week. It should be a nice drive up the East Coast. I am looking forward to getting away with the family and just have fun. We plan to also take Steven to see the white house. It should be a lot of fun. Just what I need before staring my new job on April 9th.

    Got to go now. Wishing everyone a great weekend!
    Love and hugs,
  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited March 2007
    Hi everyone....I'm just popping in to say hello. And to post a link to Myspace. I have read most of the post. My prayers are with you all. Kim, thats good news.

    Deb - I have the package at my house. Make sure you let us know your new address....or it could end up at your old house.
  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited March 2007
    Wow! So much going on!

    Kim, you are in my prayers and will be until your port comes out and all of this is behind you.

    Debbie, I am so glad you sold your house so quickly! That's wonderful news and now you can move ahead. I know how hard it is to be a single mom because that's how I raised my girl till she was 13. It's probably harder if you are used to sharing the responsibility under normal circumstances. Be happy it is temporary, and good luck on your move.

    Odalys, I hope you get to see the cherry blossoms in Washington. We have some here where we live and I do love it when they come out in the spring. Ours are just starting. Has the Biotin started to help with the hair and nails yet? I suspect it takes a while. If your hair is thinning because of the drop in hormones, maybe it will settle back into its normal growth once your body realizes that the hormone levels are the new normal? That's what I am thinking and hoping. I was so desperate I bought myself some Sally Hanson strong nail stuff, polish to keep nails from splitting. I hate nail polish, but have been using this for 5 days and it has helped some I think. No splitting since I started. Of couse my nails are very very short, but still, I see improvement.

    The port removal was no biggie at all and I was really surprised at how happy I felt once it was out. I thought I needed it to feel safe, but I realize safe is not on the outside, it's how I feel on the inside. That's where I have to look for it. All the news we are hearing just reminds me of how every little weird ache raises my antenna in unhappy ways. So I have to hold onto the knowledge that each one of us has the divine inside and that's where safety lies. No matter what goes on outside, our spirit is safe. So yes, I feel liberated.

    Daughter and soninlaw are doing well. He is over his sinus surgery and she is starting to feel a little bouncier (her words). Thank you for asking, Odalys. They have booked a week in Belize mid-April, so I'm sure having that to look forward to is a big help.

    Little dog got through her spaying and I was told to keep her from jumping for 7 to 10 days. That lasted for about 12 hours. She's back to her crazy hopping self. I swear, she must think she's the Easter bunny! How did I actually manage without a dog? I simply can't believe all the exuberant love that pours out of such a small (5-pound) package. Hubs and I laugh, we are acting like she's our child! Very silly, but so much fun.

    I hope everyone is having a good weekend!

    Love, Anna
  • Odalys
    Odalys Member Posts: 2,103
    edited March 2007

    Hey Anna - it sounds like you and your dh have adopted a "daughter". Now you have two; one human and one from the cannine family. I feel the same way about Maggie. Dogs give us such unconditional love. I love them.

  • Odalys
    Odalys Member Posts: 2,103
    edited April 2007
  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited April 2007

    and I didn't fool anyone!

  • LAT56
    LAT56 Member Posts: 79
    edited April 2007
    I was able to catch up on all of the posts today as we are in the middle of a huge snow storm - at least 2 feet of new snow so far & more on the way! Yes, its April 4th. The police have advised only emergency vehicles be on the road, so I am enjoying this day off!!

    I had just spoken to my manager at work about cutting back my hours. I've been working 30-35 hours per week and its way too much - I am exhausted! This means I will loose my full-time status & benefits, so its been a difficult decision for me, but I feel its what I need to do. My work schedule is so erratic, never having 2 days off in a row and being scheduled anywhere between 5am and 10pm is difficult. (Retail)

    PLUS, (and this is the most important part!) my daughter is getting married next month and I want to enjoy these moments! We've had a great time making wedding & shower plans! This is going to be such a great celebration and I want to have the energy to PARTY!

    I bought a new digital camera and have some adorable photos of the grandchildren, just wish I knew how to put them on this message board. I have such a hard time with all of this technology!

    I am so inspired by the strength all of you show!!
    You are in my prayers!
    Love,
    LAT56
  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited April 2007
    How wonderful to hear your news, lat56! Enjoy your daughter's wedding and all the fun stuff funning up to the big day.

    Two days ago I would have said I couldn't imagine a snow storm this April, but with that freezing wind outside I have actually had to get my fleece gloves back out of storage (I did the garment switch last week, putting all our woolens away, yeah, right) and am back to wearing my down parka. Yikes! Yep, we put in all sorts of pretty little floweers last weekend. I guess they'll be goners by this weekend.

    I hope everyone is doing well. Love to all of you!

    Anna
  • Margerie
    Margerie Member Posts: 526
    edited April 2007
    Lat56- congrats- I'm sure it will be a lovely wedding!

    Anna- how did the port removal go? I have to figure out when to get mine removed- I may wait until next year- the vaccine trial requires some big blood draws and my last one is March 2008. But that is a long time to wait!

    I am doing great. Kind of in wait mode- have PET and nipple recon beginning of May. Once those are over with- I hope to check into denialland!

    I will be on spring break until the 16th- so y'all behave please. I can't believe you got snow Anna. I always put away all the jackets and extra blankets once we hit 80 degrees and then it never fails that we get a cold snap a week later.

    Saw my 3yo's dance recital today. Last year I was full of tears- but this year it was pure joy!
  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited April 2007
    Margerie, the port removal was truly a piece of cake; no anesthesia required. I was surprised at how happy and relieved I was afterwards!

    On the other hand, if I weren't traveling to a country where flushing/etc. were hard to figure out, I would have left that port in for all future blood draws, just as long as necessary. Once a month flushing is worth not having to negotiate the sticks, esp. when both arms are involved and nobody wants to stick feet. By the way, my PCP explained to me that the reason nobody wants to stick anything other than the arm/hand is because everyone is leery of lawsuits. Well, I say if women were to sue for developing LE from needlesticks, then maybe someone would listen to our needs....

    Sorry, small rant going on here.

    Denialland is good, but tell all those people to leave us be.

    Hugs, Anna
  • kim825
    kim825 Member Posts: 284
    edited April 2007
    Lat56 that is wonderful news about your daughter. I am sure it will be a beautiful wedding. Don't worry, I don't know how to share pictures either. One day I'll get this technology stuff straightened out.
    We had flurries here the last couple of days too. It IS April. Last week we were in shorts and t-shirts. I wish this weather would make up its mind.
    I got treatment this past week. yeah! Dr. was cautiously optomistic about the tumor markers going down so much. BUT we won't know for sure until those pesky scans which will come at the end of April beginning of May. Nerves are starting already.
    Hope you all have a wonderful Easter.

    love,
    Kim
  • LAT56
    LAT56 Member Posts: 79
    edited April 2007
    Just a quick weather update - 4 feet of snow and its still coming down!!

    Hope everyone has a lovely Easter!
    Mine will be white - LOL
    LAT56
  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited April 2007
    4 feet of snow! Yikes! No more complaining from my end; surely I can put up with some cold wind, right? At least we don't have feet and feet of snow....

    Kim, I will continue to pray for good scans and calm nerves for you.

    Love, Anna
  • Odalys
    Odalys Member Posts: 2,103
    edited April 2007
    Hi ladies,
    Just a quick note to wish you all a blessed day.
    image

    Sending chocolate covered hugs for everyone,
  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited April 2007
    image

    Hope you all had a wonderful Easter. We had snow too. Lost a flower or two, but all in all it was okay. I had held off planting any young plants.

    The blooms on the trees in the back yard got the worst of it.

    All is well in my neck of the woods, had fun making Sebastian's Easter basket. Spent to much, LOL....Got him two outfits also because he is growing so fast.

    Jessie has taken him to the Dr. today. He has a cold, and has not had to much sleep. I help when I can, but I just don't have the energy to keep up very long.

    Update on my Weight Watchers, I had been playing around to much and gained like crazy. So now I'm back on track, had a 8.2 loss last night. Now I have to work really hard to get back to my lowest before the gain.

    I hope being out in the yard will help, if the winter would just go away.....

    Well I better return to the house work, we have guest coming tomorrow. Love to you all, and many prayers.
  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited April 2007
    Here I go girls , LOL

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  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited April 2007
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  • kim825
    kim825 Member Posts: 284
    edited April 2007
    Congrats on the weight losst MaryLou. That is wonderful.

    I know what you mean about this weather. It has been so cold here. Tomorrow we are expecting rain, cold and possible snow showers. It is wrecking havoc on the kids baseball and soccer schedules.

    Had treatment yesterday. Anyone that had Carbo did they start doing a skin test on you into your treatment. Yesterday was my 7th treatment and they start doing this skin treatment to watch for a reaction. Have to wait 30 minutes for a reaction to happen. It adds about 1 hours onto my chemo schedule because they won't order the chemo from the pharmacy until they know I will definitely be having treatment. Oh well. Anthony and I were saying on Tuesday's at least we get to spend the whole day together. Thank God for his company that gives him the time off on Tuesdays.

    Hope you are all having a great week.

    love,
    Kim
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2007
    Hey Kim,
    Come to think of it, I remember having the skin test done. I totally forgot about it until I read your post.

    Daniel is demanding me at the moment....gheesh!
    Love and prayers, Deb
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2007
    Hi Sisters,
    I wanted to show a picture of our family from Easter of last year and of Easter this year.
    Other than the fact that I was 10 lbs lighter in last years picture, I think I look healthier this year!
    Love to all!
    Love and prayers, Deb

    image

    image

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