Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited April 2007
    Quote:

    ooohhh the heartburn!! Did anyone else have severe heartburn while on taxol?



    Nancy, the heartburn has been there right along for me but I'm noticing it has intensified as the Taxol has accumulated in my body. I am SO glad no more for me and only one for you. For me the Protonix has been all I need, as long as I abstain from carbonated beverages, spicy foods, and alcohol. - Skye
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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited April 2007
    Quote:

    ooohhh the heartburn!! Did anyone else have severe heartburn while on taxol? Nancy

    Nancy, I've had it right along since starting AC and now on Taxol, and seems to have gotten worse as the stuff accumulates in your body. Thank goodness I am done and you are almost there. The Protonix has worked well as long as I avoid soda, alcohol and spicy foods. - Skye
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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited April 2007
    Sorry, the reply box keeps telling me my post has timed out so I go and write it again and then both show up.
    Nancy, I howled at your chemo room experience. It was actually kind of nervy of the nurse to ask you to show a man your port, however. Your answer must have brought the house down. That story is a keeper. - Skye
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  • meliaanne
    meliaanne Member Posts: 682
    edited April 2007
    Mary, I didn't get the drains out til day 10 (huge relief, they are cumbersome but not painful), went back to work after two weeks, but didn't exercise til six weeks out, and then verrrry carefully. Watch the arm, do not strain it. We don't want to deal with lymphodema.

    Rebecca, I will pm my email address. Thanks for doing that.

    Melinda, the swelling sounds terrible; I am glad it seems to be getting better.

    Beautiful day here in Calif ... went to the library to stock up, ran a couple of easy errands, and am going to play with my container plants for a bit, then just relax.

    Melia
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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited April 2007
    Mel, I'm so glad you got relief. I do think it is the Taxol that causes fluid retention. I haven't been able to keep my watch on for days. It's great you got out for a good lunch. I agree with you, Mel, that Lynn is a brave woman! Lynn you do give me courage. I know I'll have to go get a suit at some point over this summer if we are going on a cruise in August. A suit that covers not only my mediport but everything else. I've been looking at the Land's End catalog which features "mature" suits with matching sarong skirts...that oughta do it.

    Caya glad to hear you are feeling better. Hope the tax man is kind.

    Thanks Mizsissy and Rebecca for the data-keeping. Did you want more complete stats on those, such as dx info and rads dates?- Skye
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  • jonimb
    jonimb Member Posts: 900
    edited April 2007
    Rebecca, LOVE THE SPREADSHEET!!

    Mizsissy, where do you buy a pill cutter? I've never heard of it.

    Nancy, I have heartburn til the cows come home!! I've gotten to the point where I always have tums in my pocket.

    Mel, glad to hear you are feeling better, hopefully the swelling will go away quickly.

    I was very ill last nite, so I had to take one of my Stemetil. I slept in until 11:00 this morning from about 9:30 last nite, and I never got up for anything. That stuff is pretty potent.

    Darling Dan spruced up the whole backyard this morning, it is starting to feel like spring.

    Mary...I'll be thinking about you all day on Tuesday. My drains came out after 2 weeks. Nuisance, but worth having, as they take away all the excess fluid.

    Lynn, I almost bought a tankini, but I ended up with a one piece.

    Hope today is a better day than last nite.

    Joni
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  • Rebecca
    Rebecca Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2007

    Well, the spreadsheet is filling itself up with updated information...wow, there are a lot of busy little elves! Those of you who have not done so can PM me your email address so that I can list you as a collaborator on the sheet. Once this is done you can edit the sheet and add/modify your own information. Down the road we can use this to keep track of other things too (birthdays, etc). Once you PM me, I will send you a link...bookmark it and you will always be able to access the info! Ain't technology great?!?

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  • luckymel
    luckymel Member Posts: 643
    edited April 2007
    Technology is great, and so are you for setting it up! This is very cool. Thanks, Rebecca!
    Mel
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  • Rebecca
    Rebecca Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2007
    We are not alone with chemobrain...check it out! NY Times on Chemobrain
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  • meliaanne
    meliaanne Member Posts: 682
    edited April 2007
    Rebecca,
    I can only view, can't edit? But then, I am possibly the least adept computer person on the planet ...
    Melia
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  • Rebecca
    Rebecca Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2007
    Quote:

    Rebecca,
    I can only view, can't edit? But then, I am possibly the least adept computer person on the planet ...
    Melia



    You need to PM me your email address and can (and gladly will) give you the ability to make changes.
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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited April 2007
    Mary,

    If I had only done the mastectomy w/out the TRAM flap recon., I'd have been fine. You are obviously asleep for the operation and you're numb there when you wake up, so it's not all that bad. Shocking, but true.

    Yes, we have COSIs here. Is that in Michigan also? Just took the kids there two weeks ago.

    Just got in from the Columbus Ballet's Sleeping Beauty production... I have determined that I just do not care for ballet. Bored both Jaclyn and I to tears. We left at intermission and went to On The Border for lunch.

    My husband just got me/the kids a laptop for the kitchen (so we stay off his computer) and it's doing some funky stuff, i.e. sending stuff before I'm ready. I'm sure it's "user error", but.... annoying.

    Caya, you are right: I'm not ready to give up my Ativan yet. I am super stressed about my appearance, as shallow as that sounds. I feel like a bloated, bald cow. So sick of it.
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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited April 2007
    Rebecca,

    I clicked on your spreadsheet link and it said did I want to create a google account... is that free?

    I don't think my info. was on that list. What info. are you capturing?
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  • Robbin65
    Robbin65 Member Posts: 251
    edited April 2007
    MY HAIR IS GROWING.... I Can't believe it!! It's only been ONE WEEK out of my last cycle. (Basically 4 weeks since my last dose and one week out of my chemo cycle.)

    I had thick hairs and thin hairs. My thick hairs all feel out during chemo but never lost my thin hairs and my hair line.

    I have new peach fuzz growth and hair growing on my legs.

    Yea - Haw...
    Quote:

    Robbinjaye:
    was your port removed at the surgeon's office? What was the process? I see my surgeon next week and will talk to her about getting my port out then.

    Cindy



    Cindy,

    I had my port taken out directly in the Drs office. He gave me some valuim that wore off quick, but really didn't need it.

    He had a problem getting it out. It was like growing in there.. Lots of tugging. But felt nothing for they numb you up around that area pretty good. It did not take that long and I was so glad to get it out and know that I am done with chemo!

    The only problem is that it is taking a long time for it to heal. It didn't hurt when he took it out but it hurts now that it is out... More than the surgery with my lumpectomy. Now I don't know if it's cause it was hard for him to get it out or that it is hurting from the healing.

    I start my rads soon but my port area is still red and sore. I am keeping an eye on it. I go in for my cat scan and tattoos soon and then it's on for the rads.

    Peace,

    RobbinJaye
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  • Lynn12
    Lynn12 Member Posts: 1,008
    edited April 2007
    Mel, so glad you are feeling better...if you don't mind me asking, what happens? do you pee all the extra fluids out?

    Rebecca, the spreadsheet is awsum, thanks for doing this, you rock! Is there a way to freeze the titles (row and columns) so it's easy to scroll and still see the top row and first column?

    Ok, so I wasn't thrilled with bathing suit shopping, but I had to for our trip to Florida. The 2 suits I bought last year just aren't going to work with my mastectomy. DH ordered tix to Cirque de Soleigh (sp?) while we're in Orlando for my Mother's Day gift, I'm so excited.

    So we are so ridiculous when it comes to finding a hotel. There are thousands (well, maybe hundreds) of hotels in Orlando and do you think we can pick one? NADA! So we're back and forth, up and down, around and around and around and what do we do? Go through Hotwire (which is just like Priceline) where you don't know the hotel but get a good price. Surprise, surprise, surprise! Anything so we don't actually have to 'choose' a hotel. We ended up at a resort on the Disney property for $103 per night..rack rate $170. Right across the street from Downtown Disney. I'm thilled! Geez, that took us about 4 hours today to get that decision done. I am soooo looking forward to this trip!

    Rebecca, thanks for the link on chemobrain...I'm sure many of us can relate.

    Joni, wow, you sure are having it rough after your last chemo. Big hugs! hope you feel better soon.
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  • NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING
    NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING Member Posts: 778
    edited April 2007
    Joni, OMIGOD, what wonderful pictures of lynx! I have read
    and fantasized about them and hoped wistfully that some were still alive on the continent and now you send proof. They're beautiful!!! Did you take these yourself?

    image

    The rest of the pictures are at http://picasaweb.google.com/mizsissy/JoniSLynx. BTW *ANYBODY* can open a google photo web server account. It's free.

    Tina, I inserted your row in the spreadsheet and started with the data about you I know. You can edit it when Rebecca makes you a *collaborator*; to do this she needs your email.

    Also Tina, you should come & join our spa group. We're weight watching...this is the place to refine and improve on your pre-chemo self!!! Post Chema Spa & Shapeup Thread

    Mizsissy
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  • jonimb
    jonimb Member Posts: 900
    edited April 2007
    These were taken by a good friend of mine, just a little bit north and west of Calgary. Everytime I seem to see a lynx I never have my camera with me. Last year, walking along the irrigation canal I saw a few, but the scariest thing was on a walk by the Bow River running into a cougar. Luckily he was just as scared as me and he ran one way and I ran the other.

    If you want to see lots of wildlife, you just have to come to Alberta!! We have lots, and hopefully we will have lots in the future.

    You can tell it is spring, the Bears are out in Banff with their cubs!!

    Cheers...Joni
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  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited April 2007
    Hi,
    Joni,
    What great pictures.
    Rebecca,
    Thanks for the spreadsheet. I am still a little foggy now, so I hope I filled it in right.
    I hope everyone is feeling better.
    Mel,
    I am glad the lasik is working. I am on my 2nd taxol and I am very bloated. Luckily my worst s/e, but I feel so fat...
    Lynn,
    The hotel location is ideal. Did you find it on Hotwire?
    Mary,
    Good luck with your surgery on Monday.
    Jan, Nancy, & Caya,
    I hope you all are feeling better.
    We are having fun with my DD's visit. I wish she didn't have to leave.
    I had my 2nd taxol/herceptin treatment on Thursday and it hit me harder than my first. Yesterday I was fine. Today I was a bit nauseous and tired. I took an ativan, and now I am more tired. I will go to bed soon because I want to enjoy my last day with my DD. She went out with friends tonight.
    Catch you all later,
    Viddie
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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited April 2007
    Robbinjaye,

    First off, CONGRATS on the hair! It's the first start back to normalcy...grows so slow, it's kind of a tease..or an ongoing, slow reminder to not forget to take things for granted. I don't know....

    Can't believe the port removal/recovery was more difficult than the lumpectomy. I mean, I can....it's just funny that you don't hear about the removal process often.

    Oh....tip: when those of you (Mary) facing surgery have drainage tubes removed, lie down flat. They come out smooth and easier if you are in a lying flat positing. I had four for three weeks...they were rather embedded by that point. Also, if you are worried if you accidentally tug on them that they'll fall out....don't. They were so much further in me than I ever realized. They never could have fallen out.
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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited April 2007
    I want to enjoy my last day with my DD.

    YOU DO THAT, VIDDIE!
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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited April 2007
    Thanks, Mizsissy! I'll get my email to Rebecca and review/add to info.

    LOVE the lynx pic! Joni, you sure you dont' work for Nat'l Geographic? My husband said I ought to go out to that site, grab a pic of an elephant, post it and say it was in my backyard! LOL!

    Excellent pics! Btw. the lynx and the elks crossing the bridge.... and I'm not a nature or animal lover...and I'm really impressed!
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  • IowaCindy
    IowaCindy Member Posts: 341
    edited April 2007
    Mel,

    I'd recommend weighing yourself daily. (I know - every woman's favorite activity! ) Try to do it in the AM at the same time everyday. If you notice a gain of two pounds or more a day, call your doctor.

    It seems as if something is just not right and you want to monitor your weight which will show fluid retention.

    Cindy
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  • luckymel
    luckymel Member Posts: 643
    edited April 2007
    Of course I don't mind you asking, Lynn...and yes, the idea of the lasix is that I'm supposed to be peeing out all the extra fluid. However, although I am better, I am still full of fluid - it doesn't seem to be working on me like it is supposed to work, or like I have seen it work on others. I've now taken 7 pills of my 30 day supply, in 24 hours, and I'm supposed to take one daily. If it were working correctly, I'd never be able to do that. Will probably take a couple more before bed. I'm still a bloated huge toad, but at least I can breathe. Went out to dinner with DH and a couple of my work friends who missed me (how nice to be missed) and they thought I looked better than I did the other day, in their professional opinions, so I guess that's progress.

    Caya, I had a good laugh over your yogurt story. I think yogurt shopping is definitely a female only activity - way too many choices for the poor guys.

    Joni, hope you are feeling better, and thanks for the pictures. Those lynx are beautiful.

    Thanks to all of you who have indicated you had some swelling with your Taxol too - it sure makes me feel better. I don't know why my oncologist didn't think it was from Taxol...but I believe you guys.

    Cindy, I am going to weigh myself every day and keep a record - excellent suggestion and of course I know I should be doing that, but I hate, hate HATE to weigh myself. But I will do it. Thanks.

    Goodnight everyone.

    Mel
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  • robertin
    robertin Member Posts: 78
    edited April 2007
    When I was pregnant with my son I lived in Germany. I only have one kidney, and so the pregnancy became dangerous when I started retaining fluid. My German doctor told me to go on a fruit diet. I was only allowed to have fruit, any kind of fruit, and fruit juices. Tea was allowed too, but that was all. Believe me it was hard. You crave something salty, but I was constantly going to the bathroom. So try it, and see if you can get rid of some fluid. It worked for me.
    With the double dose of Aleve I was able to work on Thursday and Friday, days that normally are the worst for me. So, the only day off this week was the day of the chemo. Taxol #3 was easy for me. Hope #4 is the same.
    I went shopping today, and finally bought a loveseat and couch. It was cheaper than I expected, so I threw in a stove with a convection oven. I am so excited. I can't wait to start using it. And as cherry on the icecream, I bought a belt today. I've lost 20 lbs so far, and the pants I bought less than a month ago, are uncomfortably lose. I think the diabetes has been a real blessing for me.
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  • NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING
    NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING Member Posts: 778
    edited April 2007
    Rebecca, I just have to say *I luv, luv, luv the new spreadsheet*, and I see the result of all the busy little elves you told me about. The Google sharing dox thing was entirely new to me. AND my nephew just introduced me to Google's picture sharing web utility, and that is fantastic too.

    Joni, your photos are fabulous...I'm not on my laptop and back to my Picasa database, so I'll send you some now. Joni, do you use Picasa Web?...it's really neat and easy to use.

    *FOLKS...SEND JONI YOUR PHOTOS & WE CAN HAVE AN ONLINE SCRAPBOOK TOO!!!**

    Mizsissy
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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited April 2007
    Robertin, how cool that you scored a convection oven along with the furniture. I'm all for anything that gives us a lift these days. Also that your #3 Taxol was easy. Mine was rock bottom so I was afraid #4 would be even worse, but it wasn't. It's been MUCH easier. So maybe your #4 will be a total breeze. Hope that is the case.
    Joni that lynx photo is amazing. Big kudos on your photographic ability, and what beautiful subject matter. Love the idea of an online album. Photobucket.com is also free and easy to use.
    The dh and I are going to take a little day trip to New Glarus, prime heart of cheese country that is decorated with "art" cows, just to take advantage of the 80-degree temps today. Hope everyone else has a lovely Sunday too. - Skye
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  • NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING
    NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING Member Posts: 778
    edited April 2007

    Robertin, I am SO JEALOUS of your twenty pound weight loss!! You must feel like a million dollars!!!!!

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  • mer1957
    mer1957 Member Posts: 534
    edited April 2007
    You people are scaring me about the drains. I was planning on getting them out in one week exactly!
    Well now I am warned not to get my hopes up.
    RobinJaye- that's great news about the hair. I have no signs of any yet 3-1/2 weeks after chemo.

    I think I overdid it a bit today. Went to the gym and then came home and did yard work (with sunscreen!) I should sleep well tonight. My cold sore seems to be scabbing up nicely (what a sight!) but I will still call the surgeon tomorrow just to let her know. My surgery is Tues hopefully. I know tomorrow will be a long day but I'm going to work and going to try to keep busy when I come home. The only surgery I ever had was a tonsillectomy so I am a little on edge. I'll make one more post tomorrow. Hope all of you are doing better.
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  • meliaanne
    meliaanne Member Posts: 682
    edited April 2007
    Mary,
    I know it's scary, but it really is not a bad surgery. I went in early in the morning, asked for and got a valium or something like it, and went home mid afternoon. I know lots of people are opposed to same day discharge, but I was so glad to get home. The pain is very minimal. I did make sure they marked the correct breast, and the first thing I remember in the recovery room was checking to be sure they didn't take the healthy one! We will all be thinking of you. Stay strong, you are going to be ok, I promise.
    Melia
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  • Amera
    Amera Member Posts: 452
    edited April 2007

    Good luck Mary! I think you will be fine. And since you go to the gym, I'll bet the surgery and recovery will be that much easier. That's what I was told and it was true.

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