Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Joni, Joni...congrats, congrats on your upcoming last day!!! And lucky you with your crocuses. We had about two weeks of spring in Michigan and then it went back to winter. I think we are starting a new Ice Age. I think this is probably due to the fact that I got out some spring clothes and put winter clothes away in the guest closet. I am wondering if I pack my hairbrushes away too, will it make my hair come back?

The tatoos didn't hurt. The tech asked me if I wanted to be warned about each one, I said no, and they were just little pricks.

Where are those photos you were sending me, Joni?

Thirst, I think I am more thirsty now than before. I consume huge quantities of water. It probably helps get rid of all the chemo.

Well girls, I SURVIVED my cystoscopy on my own alone-- without anyone helping. Can you imagine what it is like to have someone put a tube up your u-know-where and look at your bladder? Actually, it wasn't too bad. I got to look at it myself in full color on the monitor. I now have a more *full blown* self image, a greater knowledge of my inner self, literally speaking.

Dar, it's great to hear from you again. I think I am about where you are with your various patches of body hair. I don't like my brows; the hair is there but it's too light. They look blond. And you're coping with tamo...were you pre- or post- before your started tamo. I have some foolish hopes that tamo will act a little like HRT and cool down some of these flashes.

I'm going to start Effexor soon. I hear that helps.

BTW, is Michigan or Ontario too far from Red Deer to travel this summer or fall when we have our little post-chemo party? We're thinking July or August.

Mizsissy

Mizsissy - I was pre-menopausal before chemo, but probably post now.
Jan, I think you will be all right. I got a horrible stomach flu before I started chemo - but - I got it from my 2 year old grandaughter. I let her kiss me and even shared my lip balm with her - I know better now.
Heart scan is over. I have aches and pains on the mast. side and am starting to reconsider reconstruction. What a big decision - I'm not ready for it yet, but find the prosthesis uncomfortable. Maybe a lighter one would help.
It's a beautiful day here. I'm planning on going to the Reach to Recovery meeting tonight. I'm nervous, but, if I don't like it I don't have to go back.
I've kept the psychotic child at bay for most of the day - hope you all have too!

Hello all,
I've been sort of quiet the last couple of days, waiting for my CA-125 blood test result (ovarian cancer marker) - YIPPEE IT WAS A 4 - anything under 35 is considered okay . In Nov. it was a 56 - BIG RELIEF!!
So of course I will see what my BRCA 1& 2 gene test comes out - if positive, those ovaries are history, if I am negative (praying for negative) - I will see, after seeing the next big specialist. I know my onc. wants me to keep them in so I can take tamoxifen - I'm highly hormone positive - ER+90% and ER+50%- Mizsissy that is why he wants me to keep them in, but I will be 49 this September, and may yank them out anyways. I'm in chemopause anyways - those night sweats are driving me crazy...
Viddie - My her2 Fish score was 10.7 - very high, but I read somewhere the higher the score, the better you will respond to Herceptin - I hope so, but don't quote me, I could be chemo brain delusional. I will ask my onc. next week and let you guys know. As for your boob size, I was a 34 G ( yes, G) before my breast reduction in October 2006 that started this whole thing - my PS made them a nice perky D - unfortunately, I only had a matched set for 8 weeks when the right one came off. I'm not sure about reconstruction - I may do it. I'll see the PS again when I'm on Herceptin, which by the way for me will be a 3 week schedule.

Amera and Viddie- I also obsess about the dumbest littlest things and can't make decisions either - I think because we had to make so many really big decisions so quickly while in the cancer fog, our decision making mechanism is out of whack for awhile.
Joni - crocuses - I am jealous. It's cold and rainy here -and my onc. did tell me about the ONCO test- would cost about $3000. - I decided against it because I'm Her2+, aggressive cancer, so of course I know I needed the most aggressive treatment.
Skye - praying that rib pain is just, well, rib pain - have you tried motrin extra strength, or anything stronger? My onc. originally told me every week Herceptin, then said every 3 weeks.
Hi to everyone else - Jan, Rebecca, Dar, tlc, Tina, Lynn, Mary etc.
Keep well
Caya

Hope your family manages to avoid the flu. Maybe all your precautions will provide some protection for everyone!

Cindy

It sounds like most have mentioned construction. Last fall I just couldn't fathom more surgery (I'm another one who struggles with anesthesia). Or adding to the load of the mastectomy procedure.

Even now, I'm not considering reconstruction. I don't want more surgery. That's a much stronger feeling than wanting to have a right breast that will require significant surgery.

I'm getting used to my scar after 6 months (tomorrow). It's healed nicely. I look in the mirror and I see it as a witness, a testimony to what's happened. Not that I'm going to ever forget!

Cindy

Lynn,

I'd do free commercials for Emend. I think it is an absolute MIRACLE DRUG! I thank God for it.

I've been sort of quiet the last couple of days, waiting for my CA-125 blood test result (ovarian cancer marker) - YIPPEE IT WAS A 4 - anything under 35 is considered okay . In Nov. it was a 56 - BIG RELIEF!!

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am thrilled for you! What great news!!!

My echo was Ok afer all. Don't know score, but NP called and said it was Ok. I had to call there again today because I woke up this am w/my left eye lid drooping as if I'd had a stroke or Bells Palsy. It's kind of throbbing and if still there in am, I'm going into see the dr. as opposed to my scheduled appt. on Tues. It may be sinus related, but my major sinus symptoms are gone... and this developed.

Good Morning Ladies,

Up and early, need to be at the Oncs at 8:15 for chemo #5. Mixed feelings of course, half of me is sooooo dreading it, but then again, one more will be done.

Hey all my Jan. girls. I have something I would like to send you all, but first I need your addresses. Please PM me your address or email it to lynnjm@charter.net. Also, I thought it might be nice if we all have each other's addresses, so I could gather all our addresses together and and send them to you all at the same time. What do you think?

I'll give it a couple weeks to make sure I get everyone in case some people don't log in all the time. I will also be sending reminders!

Have a nice day!

Lynn, Hope #5 goes really smoothly for you.

Caya, Great news on the test!

Joni

Joni, what a fantabulous picture....here 'tis

Quote:

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This is the actual turnoff from Banff to the # 1 highway to Calgary .

Great picture isn't it? They had to build the animals (especially the elk) their own crossing because that was where the natural crossing was and after the highway was built, there were far too many accidents. I understand it didn't take the elk long to learn this was their road.
--Joni

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Why don't they ever think of anything like that in the US???!!!

Ji all,
Joni,
I hope Thor feels better soon.
Perky is key!!!- I will definitely remember that- Thanks!!

Caya, Great news on your CA-125 score!
" I read somewhere the higher the score, the better you will respond to Herceptin"- I just had to quote you- That would be great news! Thanks for the information.

TPPJ,
Congratulations on your scores also. This is great news!

Lynn,
You are almost done!! Good luck today!

Skye,
Only 9 more days! Wow! How time flies! I have to go for 12 weekly infusions- I like your way better. You're done faster. I hope your sniffles disappear soon.
"The Taxol "cement leg" syndrome"- another thing to look forward to!!

I am going to meet a bunch of friends for lunch tomorrow- I haven't spent time with them in a while- and I am so looking forward to it. It's the little pleasures that count.

Catch you all later.

Viddie

Moved to next page so that more women will see it!!!

Hi Ladies,

Home from #5, already feeling crappy. I guess I was not too clear in my request above. I need everyone's 'mailing' address so I can send you something (needs to be snail mail). When I compile everyone's adddress, I'll include email addresses as well.

Off to the couch!

hey there another windy cold day here in Ontario and Michigan Mizsissy ?....Snow is not going away here Joni I am jealous , that Banff HWY crossing pic is great, i miss being able to go to the mountains for drives its sooo beautiful . I am stuck in the most populated part of Canada , all the lakes here have private cottages on them and it hard to get back to the wilderness here unless you drive a long way .
Caya : good news on your results I am triple negative so when my chemo is done no more infusions , I also had a lumpectomy so no breast reconstruction .
Seems that most here are positive and have had mastectomy's / or are stage II
Anyone else stage III triple neg ? My biggest concern is recurrence or carrying the BCRA genes .
Lynn I will send you my email address , and hey I am off to one of those "parties" tonight at my neighbors . Do not think i will buy anything but it will be a good laugh .
Yes and for the colds and flues the little ones bring home it can be scary hand washing they say is the best way . I cannot seem to keep hydrated enough also , always thirsty , at night i keep water by my side, lots of hand lotion . The taxol / taxotere drys up your cells and cracks their outer layers so i thing we need that extra boost of liquids.
Mizsissy : the get together , I have a truck camper fits three ... has a kitchen and fridge , I am game for anywhere form Stratford to your house , the nearest states right around the great lakes the nearest airport Toronto . We are central here but a long way away from Alberta its a 4 hr flight from TO to Calgary . Can you accommodate a trailer on your property ? I can pick people up at the airport and car pool (truck pool )
here is a pic of it


go a boat too wanna water ski

January Chemo Gals: Please check the options pictured and described at http://www.lindaswift.com/BCInns.htm and vote below. ***Please don't vote unless you are serious about wanting to come.*** All JC women are invited!!!! Please vote again (I have deleted the last one).