The Chemosabe March Cruise

The bar reservations I have for the week of Apri 15-21

Monday: Playwriter (#2), Barbkirk (#3)
Tuesday: BettyE (#5), dmknanny (#3)
Wednesday:
Thursday: MissShapen (#3)
Friday: HollyHopes (#4), JannM (#2), Maxgirl (#4)

Wishing all smooth sailing!

I'm finding my teeth are very sensitive the weeks following tx. I've got the diflucan at the ready to help with the mouth soreness and a mouth wash called Tantum. Avoiding acidic foods and drinks can help too - and of course, eat the yogurt with active cultures! Naturally, I'm craving ketchup flavoured potato chips, which if eaten, would result in instant pain!!

Jann -- My blood counts are in the normal range but my onc said that because they've been dropping from my old normal, I would probably feel more tired, so maybe that's what's going on with you.

My grey hair went first, too. On Day 37, I still have some dark stubble on the top of my head -- sort of a Mohawk pattern.

taurie -- Sorry you're not feeling well. I think the delayed reaction caught a lot of us. Sleep, rest, take care of yourself, and drink as much as you can, and you'll feel better sooner. I've had a continuing problem with a sore mouth, but except for some sensitivity to cold in some teeth, no real tooth pain -- knock on wood!

Diana -- Sounds like you had a great time at the gallery. I hadn't heard of PBM's work before, but after checking out the web site, I can see I need to get better acquainted. Wonderful work!
I've also had problems with being cold -- especially after I've been sitting or lying down for a while. I actually miss the constant heat of menopause!

Nancy -- Thanks once again for keeping track of our bar reservations. Hope you're having a great weekend.

MissS -- Thanks, yes, I'm feeling a lot better today. Some days at work I ask myself what the heck I'm doing there, but mostly I enjoy focusing on something other than how I'm feeling. Luckily I'm in a very flexible situation, with understanding bosses, and we're not overwhelmingly busy right now, so my pacing myself doesn't hurt anyone else. I'm just using up a lot of leave time.

Be sure to read the ingredients on those Italian ices. I'm finding citric acid and ascorbic acid lurking everywhere, and they really fry my mouth.

Jacque -- Glad you are feeling better in time to see your friends. Have a great time.

Keenie -- Oh, ketchup-flavored anything -- I ache with longing!! I am so tired of bland food, and then even when I get something I think should have some flavor, it doesn't taste the same. :P That's one thing we can look forward to celebrating together when the cruise ends.

We went out for a long lunch with DS1 and his fiancee this afternoon, and actually I had a fairly decent meal and shared a tiramisu with DH for dessert that tasted like itself! We were at Macaroni Grill, and the only hard part was watching everyone else order pasta with tomatoes and tomato sauce. I had the Simple Salmon.

For those of you with big heads - like me - I ordered a wig from https://www.tlcdirect.org - the American Cancer Society's online catolog - and was extremely happy with the wig I got! Their wigs come in petite, medium and large. I got a large and it is almost too big!!!! It also cost a third of the wig's price I purchased at an area wig salon and I like it 10 times better! It doesn't look as 'wiggy' as the expensive one I bought - and my DH likes it a lot, too! So, if you are in the market for a wig - give them a try. Unlike many wig places you can return it if you aren't happy. At only $42.00 or so a pop, you could get a couple to keep things interesting!
I saw they have the cotton liners in large, too, so ordered those today along with one of their clearanced hats. I had already purchased a cotton liner, again from the local wig salon, but it only came in one size, so is a little skimpy on my oversized noggin. I am anxious for my new liners to come (they are sold two to a package at TLC). They had some cute hats and scarfs, too.
Happy shopping! Jacque

Ok, I got brave so decided to give you a bald is beautiful shot as well as my new wig.
Hillary - I had a wig hugger the last time around and I didn't like it. The cotton liner is more comfy for me as I have sensitive skin, so it keeps the scratchy wig lining off my skin.
Here goes guys! [image]IMG]http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w270/jacqniel/wig.jpg[/IMG][/image] [image][/image]

Hi March Cruisers,
I got a reprieve after my first chemo in March - I'm on a clinical trial with Taxotere and Zeloda. My white blood counts came back too low when they tested one week after the initial IV so they took me off the oral Zeloda right before my Hawaii trip. At least I was able to enjoy my trip more than I would have otherwise.

Lost my hair while in Hawaii. Came out in huge clumps. The day before we came home I found a hairdresser to cut my hair really short, then got it buzzed when I got home.

The doctor isn't being so nice this time around with treatment. Had my second chemo this past Wednesday. I'm not to even come around for a blood test because if the blood counts show low again, they'll have to take me off the oral and they don't want to. So... they said call if I get sick and come back in 3 weeks for treatment #3. I'm hanging in there. Really tired, heartburn, no appetite (metallic taste in my mouth), sore mouth, well, you all know.....

Hang in there everyone - this too shall pass ;-)
Lisa

Hey guys. I'm having a problem sending PMs. I can't imagine what I'm doing wrong. I have sent 3 so far but my home page shows that I haven't sent any. Any hints?

Beth

Beth - to have your sent PMs show up on your home page you need to check the box 'I want to keep a copy of my message' underneath your message - otherwise it won't show that you sent it, even though you did.
Nana - you are more than welcome to join our cruise. My first dance with cancer I had chemo first and then had rads a few weeks after I was done with my chemo. Hope this helps! Jacque

Updated Bar Reservations for week of April 15-21

Monday: Playwriter (#2), Barbkirk (#3)
Tuesday: BettyE (#5), dmknanny (#3)
Wednesday:
Thursday: MissShapen (#3)
Friday: HollyHopes (#4), JannM (#2), Maxgirl (#4), Jillrush (#4)

tx went ok today. drank lots of water, drank a smoothie, ate a couple fo fruit juice popcicles. Grumpy Nurse wasn't there this time, praise God.
took emend this time, made me sleepy. i dozed on and off listening to Harry Potter on tape, getting up every 10-15 min to go potty.
kind of have a headache, so going to go lie down. love and blessings to u all, and welcome to Nana45.

Thanks Jacque. I guess I'll just have to see if I get any replies. I thought I was doing it correctly.

Beth

Lisa - Too bad I did not know you when you lived in Gettysburg! I live about 15 minutes from there.
Playwriter - glad you missed grumpy nurse this time and hope you continue to feel OK
Betty E - good luck at the bar tomorrow - I'll save a stool for you (or should I say seat - somehow stool seems inappropriate considering all the problems we've been having....)
Nana45 - welcome aboard - I don't think you'll find a better cruise to sail on than this one - these girls have been a tremendous support system for me, as well as a fountain of such great information....and there seem to be several of us that are nana/nanny/grammy on this ship

Have to share an amusing story about one of the "benefits" of BC - was on my way to a support group meeting this evening and was, of course, running late.....which means I was also speeding. So, whaddya know, the lights go on behind me. I proceed to tell the nice officer that yes, I know I was speeding, but I was late for my cancer support group. He goes back to his car for awhile, and comes back with a WARNING rather than a TICKET! Now it's been extremely cold and windy here in PA today, so I had on a scarf and hat (not getting used to the wigs anyway, and afraid one would blow off) and it did not take a rocket scientist to realize I was without hair. Gee, I wonder if that had anything to do with the fact I did not get a ticket??
Also wanted to share a photo of P Buckley Moss and me at her show this weekend - I had such a wonderful time seeing old friends and customers I have not seen in a long time - was really a great weekend! [image][/image]
Wow - sorry this pic is so big - don't know why, that's just the way it came from photobucket........
Diana
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dianak

GrammyNancy
I was a bit under the weather last Thurs and Friday and just kept it kind of low keyed around here so the 'd' wouldn't start coming back.

Felt fabulous again by the weekend and was on the go as usual on Saturday. The hubby and I spent the whole day in bed on Sunday just enjoying movies, eating and sleeping off and on all day. We havn't done that together in a long time. It was fun. Did the usual run around today with blood work etc. God if I have to have just 1 more appt. I think I will scream......lol
Love all the photos of the bald heads and flowers in bloom. I'm enjoying the weather here now again this week and love being outdoors. Will be painting new bird houses the rest of the week in front of the TV set. At least that's the plan as of now.

As for the hair thing, I think the grey is always the first to go. Why doesn't it work that way when you need a good dye job I say.

Jacque
I see lots of new grand babies in your future with baby blues like yours. Beautiful eyes girl.

I guess I'm missing something about the food thing. I have been eating everything and anything I have wanted like normal since day 1. Except for the days with the 'd'. Those are a bit more low keyed. Are most of you watching everything that you're eating? My Dr. gave me a prescription for Pepcid that's stronger than the over the counter one and I havn't had a problem.

3boys4me
I'm so happy that you went to Hawaii and had a wonderful time. It's just too bad the hair decided to go while you were away. Oh well I guess I'd pay that price for a ticket to heaven.

playwriter
Glad to hear you're doing fairly well after treatment today although the headache thing can be a nuisance. Hope things are better tomorrow and so glad Miss Grumpy stayed away today. Nothing worse than dealing with a real Bitch on top of having to sit there while they pump us full of poison.

LisaSDCA
You go with that lawnmower girl. Go right on over to my house will ya?......lol Seems with the weather here lately even mowing 2 x week isn't cutting it if you know what I mean.

onlygirl4
Sorry hun but that's the first sign of you hair getting ready to go. Funny thing is I don't think any of us knew that it would actually hurt. Once you buzz it that will all go away although the buzz was scratchy to me and I finally shaved it off.

dmknanny
Love the pic and glad you had a wonderful weekend. It's nice to stay busy when we can and quit thinking about this bc if even for a short time.

I'm a bit worried about HollyHopes and Dawn. I know neither of them were doing that great after their treatments and I'm really concerned we havn't heard anything since they were doing so poorly. I hope we hear from them soon.

Put me down for #3 next Wednesday the 25th. Sure hope this one won't be the hardest like everyone says...(keeping fingers crossed).

Good luck ladies on your bar trips this week and may all the se's be a thing of the past.

Love,
Angel

Playwriter - the site that Angelflight gave has AWESOME scarf tying instructions - and scarves! Thanks, Angel! Will have to look closer when I get back from the bar later today. As for the scarf I am wearing, it's a pretty big one, just fold in half to make a triangle, then fold gup about a 2" strip. Wrap around your head and tie at the side with a regular knot. I put a pin in the knot to cover it and for decoration as it was a Miss pin anyway. Thanks for the note in my guestbook on the blog - there is no better treatment for this than a positive attitutde!

sorry..here's one more http://craftersjourney.com/how-to-tie-a-head-scarf/