Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

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  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited April 2007
    Hi everyone,
    Mary, that is great about your cat scan.

    Taxol users question: Is your wbc count affected during taxol? Is it less than during A/C?

    I hope everyone has a great Easter.
    Viddie
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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited April 2007
    Quote:

    They also gave me a procrit shot and will give me another one next week.


    Viddie, seems odd to me that they are planning on giving you a second Procrit vs. checking your hemoglobin and making sure you need it first. That's the one (also called Aranesp) that got the "black box warning" from the FDA recently. I had one shot, my counts went/stayed up for several weeks but then came down just below acceptable. I refused the shot because I was so borderline... the following week I was within normal range again. That shot scares me due to s/e warnings (strokes, heart attacks).
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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited April 2007
    Taxol users question: Is your wbc count affected during taxol? Is it less than during A/C?

    Viddie, I don't know for sure, but I'm thinking it's more the RBC that is affected w/Taxol. My white has been fine. It's been the red that's been the issue.
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  • mer1957
    mer1957 Member Posts: 534
    edited April 2007

    Yes I'm allergic but I can take medicine for a day. I had two cats but had to take them to the humane society when my youngest son was born. He was so allergic that he got pneumonia at one month. I think Bayview or Startford would be nice.

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  • mer1957
    mer1957 Member Posts: 534
    edited April 2007

    With Taxol they still make me take the Neulasta shot to keep up my white blood cells. My RBC is still low at 10.1 so they gave me another shot for that (they said you can only have 1 shot every 3 wks for RBC). My surgeon didn't seem concerned about it being at 10. The drs all say he will come up after chemo is finished. I don't think they are even checking before surgery.

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  • NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING
    NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING Member Posts: 778
    edited April 2007
    I agree with you Mary, I'd prefer Bayview or Stratford, then I wouldn't have to worry about the kitties. One of them is geriatric and doesn't have great bowel control...but on the other hand, some people might not want to dish out a few hundred dollars for a visit and there's lots of room at my house. I'd really hate to have someone having to deal with allergies tho!!! We'll have to wait and see what Shorti and Caya say.

    As far as WBC's go with taxol, I know they get low on taxotere because I really needed my Nuelasta and Neupogen. Infections were also a big issue. I think the taxols attack your epithelial cells pretty vigorously, i.e., the lining of your mouth, your vagina, your urethra...cells that grow rapidly.
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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2007
    Hi all,

    My long post just got wiped out - so here goes again...
    I had to make a trip down to the ER yesterday, as I woke up with pain and burning when peeing - long story short - although my urine sample was negative, the ER dr. gave me a script for 10 days of cipro - I've had this before for bladder infections, so it should work, may even help my other rash down there, which is slowly improving - it's a never ending "tale" - couldn't resist that one again.
    Re the get-together - as I will be on Herceptin, I doubt my out-of-country insurance will cover me as I will be considered in active treatment.So a trip to the States is unlikely for me... However Stratford or anywhere else here is possible - I will actually be in Stratford on Sat. Aug. 4th seeing the matinee of "Oklahoma" with my mother, step-father and 2 daughters, so I could tie that in if it works for the rest of you, but please don't base any decsions based on my situtation.
    The month of July I'm pretty fine - August and September are pretty busy for me - in August I hope to be travelling with DH on business, and then September the weekend of the 7/8 is good for me, the rest are either Jewish holidays or on Sunday Sept. 30 is the annual "Run for the Cure" Breast Cancer Fundraiser, held across Canada. My eldest daughter has done this before, and now of course wants to do it with me. I am looking into training for this over the summer, I will see how I feel and what my onc. says. It's far off but I still want to be ready to do it if possible.
    Sorry if I am rambling, but in a nutshell, please ladies do what is good for all of you, and if I can join in I will.
    re - sex - not much doing here either, and the ER dr. warned me about this yesterday when we were talking about the Taxotere. But then we had a 3 month hiatus last year when DH had his brain aneursym.. I think I've had enough stress in the past 15 months to last a lifetime.
    I hope all of you are enjoying your Easter Sunday.
    Caya
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  • NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING
    NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING Member Posts: 778
    edited April 2007
    Caya, I would love to organize a weekend around Oklahoma!!! I really want to see that play. I'll get in touch with the Rectory and find out if they can accomodate us. Maybe we could plan our gathering midweek before or after the weekend. I'll see what they've got!!

    It has been a Easter weekend of mixed blessings for me. While I was getting ready for church this morning, I found a message on my cell phone informing me that my nephew had been in a terrible car accident. He was broadsided by a truck, taken out of the car by jaws of life, and flown by helicopter to a hospital in Richmond. Danny is the only grandchild from my entire family of four and we have all had a hand in raising him, and we all have high hopes for him. He is in his last semester at VMI with plans to marry in September. Our minister said prayers for him in front of the congregation this morning. Later I heard that he is doing better, despite broken hip, broken bones in the spine and ribs, ruptured lung and spleen..he's a strong kid. We're going down there next weekend, whether I miss rads or not!!!!

    Hey Chey...we'll see you in Richmond soon!!!

    Mizsissy
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  • tlc60
    tlc60 Member Posts: 83
    edited April 2007
    Mizsissy:
    Sorry to hear about your nephew, my prayers are with you and your family!
    Everyone:
    I hope hope all have a good weekend and for those celebrating Easter, Happy Easter! I wish I could attend the get together, I hope you all post pictures!
    Have a good day ladies 8-)

    tlc
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  • IowaCindy
    IowaCindy Member Posts: 341
    edited April 2007
    Happy Sunday!

    I doubt that I'll be able to attend a gathering this year. I've used all my PTO time undergoing treatment and what time I'll have earned again by summer is already earmarked for my annual trip to Colorado in August for the Folks Festival. Now if anyone is in the Denver/Estes Park area, I'd love to meet for lunch while I'm out there!

    I've been reading everyone's posts. Saying "Yea" or "Boo" depending on the topic but I'm just so stinkin' tired that I can't seem to respond too much.

    I had 19 family members and friends here for dinner today. I supplied drinks and chicken from the local store deli and everyone else brought good stuff. It was so much fun but there are 5 little ones under age 7 so that was a lot of energy that I had to step back from. I let my nieces take care of their kids and I just visited with the adults.

    I think I'm ready for a nap although thoughts of the leftovers are flitting through my head. I think it's too soon for leftovers, after the nap will be a good time to scrounge through the frig. Thank goodness this is my 'good' weekend.

    Cindy

    PS Did I tell y'all that I've got fuzz on my head. It's enough I can see where the hairline will be!
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  • Rebecca
    Rebecca Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2007
    Hello everyone,

    Well, I went away this weekend (looooong ahhhh of pleasure). Good time for a little mini vacation, because I am in the lovely week three...due for a Tx on Wed. As I tell my students...this is as good as it gets right now!

    Anyway, we went to go visit my Aunt and Uncle who own a small farm on the side of a mountain in Franklin, NY (near Oneonta). It snowed the whole time we were there, so we spent most of the time inside drinking coffee, doing crafts with the kids and telling stories. I did take two short hikes...one to meet the new rooster, and the other to look at the little cabin that my uncle (officially) has given us. It is in need of a LOT of repair, but it is small enough that a few weekends at the end of the summer should be sufficient to make it livable. It is teeny-tiny, but hey...for a weekend getaway can't beat it! I was tired after those little walks, which was depressing (usually I can walk for hours and hours) but I still had a great time. This is the place that we go when we need to find our centers. The last time that we went was the weekend before my first chemo, so I could mentally prepare myself. I took a rock from the garden home, and I take it with me to my treatments. I know.....hokey.

    The visit had two highlights...the first was when my son let the rooster out of the chicken coop by accident when they were checking for eggs. All of the adults then spent the next half an hour chasing this FAST little bugger all over the field. It was so funny...at one point my husband was stalking the bird, and the bird caught on, and then began to stalk HIM. hilarious.

    The other was a story that my aunt told us. She had breast cancer...fairly nasty from the sound of it. She had a large tumor and many positive nodes. The doctors told her she had one year to live. She had a mastectomy, did chemo, and then figured she had about two years left in her, so she would live life while she could. She stopped doing anything that would be considered long term...including saving for retirement and going to the dentist. NOW, 30 years later, she says that she is broke with bad teeth (but still kicking, thanks!). I am not sure I relayed the story very well...but her delivery was not to be beleived.

    Anyway, I have about 120 messages to read, not sure if I will get to them all. I just hope everyone is doing well!
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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited April 2007
    Rebecca, congrats on the new vaca. getaway. I've driven through that area, I believe. My dad was born in Syracuse and I have a huge extended family up there. I can picture the rooster stalking your husband. LOL!

    Mizsissy, sorry about your nephew. Sounds like an awful crash. I'm so glad he made it. We lost our 21 year old cousin (my cousins son) in Dec. 2002 to a motorcycle accident. He was headed to Iraq that week. It is still very painful for all of us...his dad (my 1st cousin), his grandmother (my aunt.

    Rebecca, love the story about your aunt being around 30 years later despite the horrid dx. Those are the best stories for us. Miracles.

    Caya, can't believe your husband had an aneurysm and now you, with this. Your family has really had enough. I kind of mapped out my Herceptin schedule today too and see that I really can only make a quick trip back to Boston this summer..can't stay for an extended period like I usually would because I need to be back for tx. I guess I could look into getting it at Dana Farber, but I wouldn't want to risk my insurance not paying for it at what, $3K a pop, at minimum.

    Had a nice, quiet day at the club. The usual buffet dinner. The kids love those buffets. We took them to Bellagio in Las Vegas last summer right before my dx and they were in HEAVEN. It is an excellent buffet....all high end stuff...not the tacky things you hear of in Vegas.

    It's kind of been a long day, just hanging out waiting for the Sopranos tonight... I should have kept busier somehow. I find this happens a lot on holidays.

    At least my skin cleared up a lot today, from yesterdays Taxol breakout. And my fingers/toes weren't numb today. Perhaps thats the end of it for me. Should be as no more tx's!
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  • Rebecca
    Rebecca Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2007

    Anyone out there experiencing changes to their fingernails? I think I might be developing something, butI can not decide if I am being a hypochondriac or not. My nails hurt when you press on them, Mostly the thumb and forefinger of my right hand (mastectomy side), and I have a think dark reddish band just below the white of my nail on most of my fingers. Some of my fingers have tiny black flecks underneath the nail. YECK I hope they do not fall off...I have seen some nasty pics on the internet, but I would really like to know more about the reality of it. I did find out that nail changes are more common with the taxanes, and that they take about 2 months of treatment to come out...anyone out there see anything like this?

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  • sharon56
    sharon56 Member Posts: 220
    edited April 2007
    my nails are getting soft and my skin is craking around the tips of my fingers a bit . The tax is drying, my nails are white underneath have heard that they can fall off , but that depends on how much we get , I am getting 160 mg only 3 times the onc said it should not do much harm .I have one more infusion left and found the second round about the same .
    Mizsissy : Stratford is a good place to meet not too far from our town 3 hours . I am doing rads all through may and June , Aug I am off camping . July looks like a good month .
    Caya : take it easy girl sound like you have had a stressfull week , I am doing ok with the SE this taxotere has its wild side . me I am contstantly going its either the runs or the other way a hr on the loo . The weather has not helped much sooooooo cold no sun .
    I also have a friend that had chemo for colon cancer and his nails went stripped like a zebra , but did not fall off , they do fade after a while .
    Trusting we all keep our nails on , enough to have to loose the hair on our heads
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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2007
    Mary - great news about your scan. I have a cyst on my gallbladder for years that has been "watched".
    Cindy - you must be tired after all those guests - take it easy tonight girl. And I never went completely bald, also have some stubble growing. But I understand it could still all fall out after the last Taxotere ( for me May 10th).
    Rebecca - that's great about having that little cabin. It should be a lot of fun for your family. And thanks so much for that inspirational story about your aunt. We all really need to hear it. My onc. nurse warned me about the nail issue as well, but I've only done one Taxotere and so far my nails are still okay. But I wouldn't be surprised if nail trauma of some sort occurs.
    Mizsissy - So sorry to hear about your nephew. He sounds like a fighter, please keep us posted on his progress.
    Tomorrow is my younger daughter's 18th birthday. Easter Monday is a legal holiday here, so all the kids have nothing to do ( no school) - so she decided to have 15 of her closest girlfriends come over around 1:00 to watch movies and hang out - and then around 4:00 invited some of the "boys" over for birthday cake. It will be nice to see these kids, a real nice bunch - I am going to make an effort to put on some makeup and a wig, I really look like chemo woman this past week.
    Another "upper" story - a friend of mine was diagnosed at age 34 while nursing her 4th son - her prognosis was also not that great - well she is still here 12 years out , doing well - she has been a great source of inspiration for me.
    all the best
    caya
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  • NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING
    NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING Member Posts: 778
    edited April 2007
    Hey Shorti & Caya...any chance of meeting the weekend of August 10 or 11? We'll be heading east through Canada then anyway on our way to Maine. We're planning on spending Aug 12 (our anniversary) in Kingston. We could meet somewhere around there, it doesn't necessarily have to be Stratford, though that's a good place. I just know how hard it is to book the nicer places there...but we're still months away.

    How about you..Mary, Lynn, and Joni...as for timing? Is July best, or could you do August? Joni, I've forgotten exactly what times you thought would work, didn't you say July was out?

    I've been getting very different reports about my nephew. First thing I heard this morning was that he was at death's door, now they're talking about discharging him on Friday to stay at his girlfriends's 6th floor walkup, with a broken hip?!!!!

    Those nail problems sound awful. I guess I didn't get enough chemo to be affected.

    Mizsissy
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  • tlc60
    tlc60 Member Posts: 83
    edited April 2007
    I have "nail issues" too. My rt big toenail is a purpley kinda color (the whole thing, very attractive) and under the nails on my hands I have the little dark flecks. My doctor said it might happen with the Taxotere. So far they are not falling off, and the ugly one is on my foot where I can hide it 8-)

    tlc
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  • mer1957
    mer1957 Member Posts: 534
    edited April 2007
    I think I will have rads from mid May to 1st of August during the week, but we're probably talking about a weekend anyway?

    I'll keep your nephew in my prayers. Please continue to pray for my brother-in-law Ken. He had chemo on Thurs for his lung/liver cancer and did not look well at all today. His dad is coming tomorrow to visit.
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  • Lynn12
    Lynn12 Member Posts: 1,008
    edited April 2007
    Hi Ladies,

    Boy did I have a busy day. Spent most of the day cleaning the house in preparation for Sopranos premier. Each year for the season opener, we have 3 other couples over, eat a huge spaghetti dinner, watch the last episode from last year, then the premier episode. It's so much fun! Everyone just left a few minutes ago and I'm exhausted, but it was well worth it.

    Mizisssy, so sorry to hear about your nephew, prayers that he has a full recovery!

    Rebecca, that's a great story about your aunt, we love hearing those stories.

    I have white stripes across my nails, not sure what that's about.

    Mizsissy, I'm really not sure what dates are good for me. I don't know how long my rads will be, we have 2 vacations to plan as well. Go ahead and plan when it good for everyone and I'll try to make it. I do not have any extra time to take from work so I can only do a weekend trip.

    Off to bed, have a nice night everyone!
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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited April 2007
    Quote:

    Taxol users question: Is your wbc count affected during taxol? Is it less than during A/C?

    Viddie, Taxol does lower your wbc but in my experience it has been less severe than with AC, and I have stopped needing shots for rbc at all. I still do get the Neulasta however.

    Hey everyone I had an Easter miracle. All the rellies who are sometimes disturbing at gatherings either had sick kids and stayed home or somehow had to go somewhere else. It turned out a very pleasant day with a manageable size crowd after all. The one thing was when a few had already gone home and we were sitting around the living room, everyone wanted to see my mediport. I had on a vneck top so it was easy to show them. There was general amazement. Hope everyone else had a good day too. - Skye
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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited April 2007
    Just some quick extra notes after reading more posts,
    Mizsissy, great to hear your nephew's prognosis is better. Wishes for his continued healing!
    Rebecca, loved the chicken story. And I have filed your aunt's story in my mental cheer basket. Thanks for those!
    Caya, we also had a hiatus when my dh had prostate surgery last year, and were still just in his therapy stage when I got my dx. I know how it feels to both get hit with something serious within the same year. You start feeling doubly vulnerable.
    Mary I'll definitely pray for your BIL.
    And on the nail issues, so far I don't have any marks or spots after 4 AC and 2 Taxol, but I've learned these things can come along at any time. I've been pretty faithful with the glutamine instructions so I don't know if that has helped or not but I'm sticking with it. I will also hope we all keep all our nails.
    One other thing, one of my sisters gave me a pile of scarves she found in a thrift shop bin, some are quite retro, but they are all that old-fashioned square size nobody sells anymore. If you have a good second-hand store nearby, might be a good place to try for summer headgear. - Skye
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  • NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING
    NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING Member Posts: 778
    edited April 2007
    Good morning girls...

    Last I heard about Danny (my nephew) was that he and fiancee were both sleeping in ICU, he in the chair, all hooked up, and she in his bed...he's scheduled to be moved out of ICU today. What a shock that must have been for her! She said when she found him he was unconscious with his eyes open and thought he was gone, and then at the hospital no one told them anything for four hours...but I think he's going to be OK, no really serious injuries, he's just got a lot of recovering to do. Hmmm I just don't think that 6th floor walk up is a good idea.

    Spring, hopefully is returning. Saw my first robin this morning. It's over a month since chemo and I still seem to be very tired. I need lots and lots of sleep, and I'm still tapering off Ativan (1/4 pills now). I am running, but without the old steam. Radiations starts this afternoon.

    I had a very hectic month after chemo and I am going to lie very low and take it easy for the next six weeks of rads. I think Dan will do fine recovering on his own..

    Hair is growing back...not visibly but I can feel a short bristly fuzz all over my head. The Nioxin seems to work.

    Mary, am praying for your BIL..
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  • Amera
    Amera Member Posts: 452
    edited April 2007
    Mizsissy, I am really tired too 2.5 weeks out. I can't seem to shake it. I went to the gym the other day and hardly made it through class. That is really depressing. I always feel like I just woke up or like it's the middle of the night. I assume my counts are still coming up but sheesh, once you're done, you feel like you should feel good immediately.

    Glad your nephew is doing well. What a scare. I always feel like I am dealing pretty well with my situation but another one would push me over the edge. It's amazing what we can endure though. Not that we have a choice really.

    Let us know how the rads appt goes. I have my simulation on Friday and the real deal next Mon. I think I'm getting treatment fatigue. I assume this will be easier, but darnit, I am just tired of the whole thing. I really resent that I now have to plan my life around 2:00 radiation appts for 6 weeks.

    And I am having major PMS..weepy, tired, cranky, nasty. Do not like this nonsense one bit. Seems my PMS is so much worse while on chemo--and I just finished my 2 week long period a couple of days ago. Nuts!
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  • sharon56
    sharon56 Member Posts: 220
    edited April 2007
    good morning its a day off for the kids here ,
    Caya hope your daughter birtday party goes well today . Its great when the kids are home movies and stuff are good things for a party . My girls play sony dance revoultion when they have friends over , some of the boys are better than the girls .....
    Mizissy hope your nephew gets better .... and that your energy levels start to improve .
    Amera : its the fatique that gets me , one day you are feeling "normal" the next you can tell your body is just not quite there yet . I try and get out of bed at the same time every morning and get dressed , eat and do a few things , but 9 times out of 10 i end up on the couch or my laptop . I have had my sewing room set up ready to go for months now and spend maybe 10 min in it trying to do a bit of crafting but find my concentration gone ..... my mind gets flighty and my hands shake alot .
    But i have decided even if its for 15 min its doing good , man this is a slow process , slowing down and taking baby steps .
    Here is a video I found on U Tube that is cool rock and roll ladies for BC .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joIyKM4JPt0
    maybe I outa play some of my old tunes today .....
    Anyone else like classical rock or are you a country fan ?
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  • NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING
    NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING Member Posts: 778
    edited April 2007
    Amera,

    I think it's really important not to overdo...exercise, but moderately. Also, get as much sleep as you need. I've been sleeping almost 12 hours some nights, but I need it and I feel so much healthier when I can sleep in. The addiction to Ativan is a problem even though I didn't take them regularly; if I take no Ativan at all I'll be awake half the night and that's not good, so I've cut them down to quarters and will taper off gradually. Sleep is important, get lots of it. Lots of good cells in your body were damaged by chemo, and they need to recover.

    Will let you know about rads; MrsShey has had her first rad treatment and she's says it's mainly about parking the car, checking in, getting undressed, zap, getting dressed again...kind of like buying a loaf of bread.

    Mizsissy

    PS Shorti, sewing is what is keeping me going now because I can do hand sewing in bed when I'm tired, and the sewing room is just a few steps away from the bedroom. I'm really having a lot of fun. My mind is back so I can focus on what I'm doing...I finished a jacket that is going to be in a Runway benefit show later this month and am now working on some dresses based on old 1930s patterns. Will send some pix later on!!!
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  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited April 2007
    Hi,

    Thanks for your responses about wbc count and taxol. I guess I will take it one day at a time and just see what happens and hope for the best. Worrying gets me nowhere and takes too much of my time these days. Now I have to take my own advice.
    12 days out and I am still tired, but each day I feel stronger. My anti-biotics kicked in and nuelasta & Procrit are kicking in- finally.

    Amera,
    They say it is cumulative, and I guess they are right. My last A/C was definitely the worst, but it was my last!!!! You are done also-- and each day will get easier. Maybe we are expecting too much of ourselves. Maybe we should just take naps- like they do in Europe.
    My husband went through 6 weeks of radiation 4 years ago and we had to drive to Boston everyday- I could not believe how fast the time went... really! I had no life- but the time flew by. It is hard to see that now- but just think- by Memorial Day you will be finished and you can celebrate!!!

    Mizsissy, I am so glad your nephew will be alright. That was quite a scare. I will pray for a speedy recovery.
    I hear my family making noises in the background. My daughter is leaving to go back to DC in an hour.

    Catch you all later.
    Viddie
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  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited April 2007
    Shorti,
    That was fun to watch. Thanks for sending it our way!

    Viddie
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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited April 2007
    Well, I am five days out from my last Taxol tx. and I have to say, I feel good. The first day I feel really good and normal. I felt good on day 2 but I know that was due to steroids in my system. I treadmilled today and am glad to begin that again...I really need to to get back down to 125. I was 137 today. I'd be happy w/just 129. I worked so hard prior to all of this to get off 25 lbs. Anyway...not all that important in the big scheme of things. Amera and Mizsissy, I think if you both didn't have rads hanging over your head, you'd be feeling more bounced back from the chemo than you are. You still have a road ahead of you with that, so I'm sure the very idea of that is fatiguing. Is that a word? I don't have to do rads because I did the overkill mastectomy for the 1cm tumor. I have to say, I feel very "free" today. I do have an echocardiogram this week and Herceptin in 2 weeks, but still... something about no chemo this week feels very freeing. Someone else mentioned, Shorti, I believe, that you have your up/down days and I'm sure I'll still have those. Not every day will feel like today, but I'm thankful for a glimpse of normalcy right now.

    Lynn, what did you think of Sopranos? I thought it was OK. Loved the lake house. Though Bobby Bacala was rather affected by the hit...more so than a real mobster would be. I guess they were trying to show his human side. I predicted that AJ's girlfriends baby would drown in the Sopranos pool, w/all the shadowy foreboding stuff they had going on, such as the dark grey lake.... Love your spaghetti party idea. We thought of that but some of our friends we'd have are too chatty and we just can't have that during the Sopranos! It's so funny, every time I watch it I start craving pasta and red wine.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2007
    Mizsissy - First, I hope your nephew is continuing to improve. Second, I haven't been responding about the get together. Probably my first trip after chemo will be to see my aunt in Toronto (who I've mentioned here has been in the hospital for over 6 weeks with leukemia). Hopefully we will get in some type of vacation this summer. With two small kids and a business that needs a lot more of my attention than it has been getting since November - that is probably all I will manage. But, when a place and time are finalized I'll see if I can make it.

    How is everyone sleeping? The week post chemo I take ativan and sleep great, but after that I am awake on and off almost all night. I don't want to take the ativan all the time, but every now and then I take one just so I can catch up on some sleep. I tried taking a 1/2 pill but just ended up having terrible nightmares all night long. Tylenol PM helps get me to sleep - but I don't stay asleep. I'm wondering if I should as for something else to help me sleep on the non-ativan days?

    We enjoyed watching the sopranos last night but I have to admit I was much more excited about a new episode of Entourage - It's my favorite show (it's light, easy, no stress, all entertainment). There's something purely entertaining and enjoying about a show that never stresses me out or makes me cry. Anyway, last night's episode was very funny.

    I had a very low key weekend. My RBC were very low today which I guess explains why I spent most of the weekend sitting on the couch. I'm eager to get some work done this week so I'll be glad that the kids are back in school tomorrow. The cold weather isn't helping. But hopefully I'll get out for a good walk tomorrow.
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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited April 2007
    Jan,

    My sleep would be awful if it weren't for Lunesta. It's so much better than Tylenol PM because it keeps me asleep and no grogginess the next day. I do use Ativan, almost every day. Sometimes I'll be so busy I'll forget about it, but once I sit, the panic sets in and I need it to chill. It's like I need to be going, going, going or I get anxiety. I hope my dr. won't stop writing my ativan rx now that I've finished chemo. I'm not abusing it at one per day. I think the anxiety of not having it avl., should I want it, would cause panic.

    I was going to watch Entourage but because we haven't followed it religiously like Sopranos, we watched Sons of Hollywood instead on A&E. What a joke. My life is more exciting than Randy Spelling, Sean Stewart (Rod's son) and some unknown guy named Weintraubs. Talk about immature and colossal bores. This show is obviously trying to compete w/Entourage...to be a "real life" Entourage. The funniest part was Spelling and Weintraub trying to have fun in Miami for the weekend. It was a riot...they were like the ultimate tourists, not knowing what/where/when to do. They barely left the hotel, met a middle aged, chubby woman in the pool (no young hotties you'd expect w/their $). It was sad. In a funny way!
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