Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Mizsissy, I vote you go camping, I figure it this way I can feel like crap at home or out some place I enjoy. Either way I'm gonna feel icky. So this weekend I am going to travel to GA for my niece's graduation. I arranged to have chemo at 8 am Friday and will leave directly afterwards. I earned a trip, I can sleep in the car, I just don't care how I will feel. Although, hmmmmm... the only thing I would not enjoy is having an intestinal blowout while driving, if you know what I mean. Hate public pottys, Maybe I'll take imodium just to be safe. LOL.

I have a tent, I won't crowd you in the camper!

Wouldn't that make a great gathering of sorts?

Cindy

I camp at the Marriott. Or perhaps an Airstream. That I could possibly handle.

Skye, did not want to say it...but your thoughts on the Ahriahnna spelling were mine exactly. Diarhhea or Amenorhea. Damn....because Arianna is such a pretty name too.

Jan, I got sore throats off/on through chemo too. That, and the bloody noses when I'd blow my nose.

MizSissy, I agree w/whoever said you can feel like crap at home or away, so I'd travel. Have a gin & tonic...it'll make you feel better!

Rebecca, glad your onc. called you to at least say he knows you patiently await the results. Waiting..the hardest part. Not my forte.

Nothing new w/me. Same old same old. My DH (just what does that mean? Dear Husband? Damn Husband? Depending on our mood?) left for Miami on Sat. am and I've literally had only kids to talk to since then. I did get over to my friend Wendy's for 1/2 hour today and tried on a few dresses for opinions for that upcoming wedding.

OK...nothing to really report, so I'll sign off. Oh, Lynn, you missed nothing on Sopranos. I am just not liking it so much this season. So predictable. And I could so care less about the Phil Leotardo storyline. And Paulie is like a caricature these days. Just goofy.

Viddie and Skye, I hope you get your appts / insurance messes cleared up. This is hard enough without dealing with bureaucratic issues. Rebecca, hope you had a good mri report; waiting is so hard. Nancy, hope you feel better soon. Mizsissy, I would go, it sounds lovely. You can rest there; your accomodations sound great.

I am dragging tonight. Blood work tomorrow, and I really hope the counts are high enough to let me have taxol 6 on Wed. Also an onc appt tomorrow. I am going to ask him about the seroma where the scar is and the extra skin under my arm. If nothing can be done short of surgery, I need to at least get bigger bras so the prosthesis doesn't put so much pressure on my chest. I literally tear the bra off when I get home at night.

Early night tonite, absolutely no energy. I wish this were behind me. I know seven more weeks doesn't sound like much, but right now I could weep at the thought.

Sleep well all,
Melia

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I camp at the Marriott. Or perhaps an Airstream. That I could possibly handle.
Tina, I'm with you - I camp at the Marriot.

Skye, did not want to say it...but your thoughts on the Ahriahnna spelling were mine exactly. Diarhhea or Amenorhea. Damn....because Arianna is such a pretty name too.
Tina, I agree on this one too. Why do they do this? Although, I should talk - my "real" name is Caryn (as in Karen), and my whole life I've had to spell out my name - but I like the distinctive spelling in my case, it does not evoke images of toilets I hope.

My best friend and her husband had us for a dinner party last night with some other friends - it was really nice to get out and socialize - almost felt like normal. This friend has been my rock since dx, she really outdid herself with the meal. I gained 2 lbs overnight. Just add to the ever expanding waistline. Today I was good.

Mizsissy - you are very talented. Mena's dress is lovely - and how are you feeling?

Skye and Viddie - I certainly hope things are moving along for you with your appointments - It's amazing how we have to deal with all this crap, when we are under so much strain from the dx, and the tx.

Jan, I hope you are feeling better. I also had a few sore throats ( and a sore butt) as well as the blood when I blew my nose - having that now, as I am 11 days out from my last Taxotere.

RobbinJaye, have a great time at the music festival. Wish I could go.

Nancy - enjoy your trip to see your niece. Congrats on the Relay. I'm doing that in June, my friend Debbie is honouring me and we have pledges over $1000. too.

Rebecca - Mazel Tov on Frances' medals - your kids are very cute - DH ain't bad either.

Not too much else is doing. Watched "The Batchelor" I know it's nonsense, but I need the airy romantic stuff on TV right now (as my own romantic life is pretty light right now)...

Good night ladies,
hugs to all
caya

Hi all,

The nurse finally called back around 4:00. Apparently the BS just came back from a maternity leave of absence, and this nurse is her old nurse of 5 years returning to her. I guess that the BS has had temporaries in her office while she was on leave, and they obviously were not too good and gave out wrong information. The nurse told me she had to put out quite a few fires since her return on Friday. Not my problem, but she feels that it is not her fault either. We talked quite a while, and while I could not budge her, she promised that she would call if she had any cancellations. I understand she needs all my films and slides read before she sees me, but it is frustrating nevertheless. Now that I tried my best, I have to let it go. Thanks again for all your advice and support.

Skye,
I am glad they finally found someone for you. Hopefully they will call tomorrow so you can move forward. This bureaucracy is surely so frustrating and full of inefficiencies.

Caya & Skye,
I am feeling the “tight pants’ ickyness also.

Mizsissy, I hope you go camping. It sounds comfy and fun, especially if the weather is nice.
Nancy,
Getting away is always fun. Is it going to be a big family gathering?
Jan,
I hope you are feeling better. I also watch Desperate Housewives. I really enjoy the it- I think it is so funny. It could stand some realism though, and if they could show Lynette experiencing chemo and some of the s/e, I think it would be enlightening. The show could use some humanizing while maintaining its comic edge. That being said, it is a silly show though.
Tina,
My dh is retired, and is home all the time- great during chemo- and great most of the time, but I wouldn’t mind if he went somewhere for a few days.
Melia,
This week you will be halfway done!!! I know it is hard, and feeling crappy is not fun, but look how far we have come- just a little bit more- and you can enjoy the summer- chemo free!! I hope your blood counts are good tomorrow.
Caya,
Sounds like you had a great meal with great friends. What could be better than that?
Rebecca,
Did you hear from the doc today?

Good night,
Viddie

Rebecca, try Owen on a Razor scooter. It really helped when Jaclyn was learning to ride her bike....taught her to balance.

Gotta run...need to be at a neighbors at 10:30 and I'm not dressed.

We're doing it!!! DH is taking Thursday off and we'll leave first thing in the morning, spend Thursday and Friday nights and return Saturday to be here in time for church on Sunday, UNLESS we just can't tear ourselves away, in which case we'll stay another night.

Thunder showers are predicted for Thursday, but that's OK, because we can do everything in the camper if need be...cook, eat, and it will be so cozy & romantic.

I'm going to get busy today packing up everything we need & tomorrow I'll go to the library to find some books. We'll take pictures & post them when we return.

Mary...we'll definitely be back on Memorial Day for the bike ride!!! Did you get my email yesterday? I also sent the same message via the PM system this AM.

Oh..almost forgot. Got the result from the bone scan yesterday and I have OSTEOPENIA. Never heard of it, but it's not as bad as osteoporosis, but I'm not going to subject my bones to 5 years of Femara and bone loss. So I've decided to take tamoxifen instead. In fact, the prescription is already waiting for me at the pharmacy. I guess I'll make the switch to Effexor after I've gotten used to the tamo.

Feeling pretty chipper this AM; got my tea, my laptop, my view and a great night's sleep under my belt. Hope everyone has a great day!!

xxxooo Mizsissy

Hey, I'm packing today, just realized I DON'T NEED deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, setting lotion, bobby pins, curlers, hair dryer, hair brush, comb, or any of that nonsense. Just soap, toothpaste, toothbrush...whew!!! Hey, I can share my husband's toilet kit!!!!!

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Good for you Mizsissy! Glad you are going!
I have a question... I have never really experienced this before today but I am feeling rather strange. I am wondering if I am having what a lot of you referred to as chemo fog? I feel numb, and even my eyesight is blurry and foggy, I just don't feel like myself at all, and very hard to describe the symptoms. Just walking from one room to another is exhausting.

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nancy, it sounds like some serious fatigue. If it is very different than what you have experienced before it does not hurt to call your chemo-nurse.

Hey ladies,
Mizsissy, sounds like a fun weekend. We had a popup when the kids were young and loved to take them camping. It's as close to a tent as I will ever get..and must have a campground with nice bathrooms.

Shorti, looks like you and I are both waiting for rads. My hair is almost at a standstill except the areas on the sides that before were bare, sticky skin now have soft fuzz too so I guess that is progress. Still not an armpit hair in sight.

Nancy, I agree with Jan and Rebecca. Usually chemo-fog shows up sooner than this. I'd call the chemo nurse pronto, if only for peace of mind.

I woke up feeling terrible so I showered, ate breakfast, took an Alleve and went back to bed. That helped.

Yesterday I put on my wig and went to the post office, where I saw an acquaintance I hadn't seen for some time. She said, "Oh, I like your hair that color!" I debated over what to say for about half a second then just said thank you. It gives me a chuckle to think about.

Still waiting for rads onc, hope it isn't like waiting for Godot, who never arrives. Rebecca I like any sort of space thing, which "opera" did you order?
==Skye

I had a long, thoughtful, revealing post about facing life post-BC. Then my brother called before I got it sent and the site timed out and the post was lost.

Buggers.

I'll have to rewrite it. I think you ladies can help me.

But it will have to wait until after dinner. My youngest daughter will be here soon to have supper.

Cindy

Greetings everyone!

I finally got the call from my Onc about the MRI, and YIPEEEEE!!! I am clean as far as they can tell. Unfortunately there was a lot of artifact from my tissue expander (it has a bit of metal in the filling port) so they want me to repeat after it is out just to be totally sure. WHEW.

Skye- I am in the process of aquiring "The Saga of the Skolian Empire" by Catherine Asaro. Many of the books are out of print, so I have had to get them used but I am almost there. It is a nicely written series, a bit racy in spots but otherwise very well imagined and suitably intricate. I have read parts of it before...and now since I am in need of a serious diversion I decided to go for the whole thing.

Amera- I know what you mean. I find people that simply appear when things are bad to be somewhat gross...I have a vulture Aunt like that. She has called me more in the last 6 months than in the last 10 years combined. On the other hand.....I think she (and your friends) mean well. I just take her calls and leave it at that. I think they will either go away or re-enter your life for real. Sometimes it takes something like this to kick start a relationship...try to see the bright side, and maybe you should just outright tell them that you do not want to talk about BC. I told my mom that the last time she called for a catalog of my SE...she took it well and stopped making me relive my discomfort in detail over the phone.

Rebecca, great news on the MRI. Mizsissy, I'll email you back soon after talking with DH. Nancy, hope you feel better real soon. Joni if you're out there--please say a prayer for the Red Wings tonight.

Hi everyone,

I'm back from my weekend in Orlando (not home, now on business portion of trip in Charleston SC). We had a fabulous time! Cirque de Soleil was absolutely amazing! I highly recommend to anyone who has not seen one of their shows.

To not bore you all with everything we did, I'll comment on some interesting things I went through because of this BC stuff. First, like you Mizsissy, my toiletries we very light, just make-up, skin care and toothbrush/paste.

I had purchased 2 mastectomy bathing suits. They are both tankini's and both have an attached skirt on the bottom. I just couldn't deal with my fat butt showing on top of everything else. We went to 2 different water parks at Disneyworld. There were 2 things I had to work through. One was my head. I couldn't exactly wear a scarf in the water and couldn't bare the thought of a bathing cap, so I went around the water parks topless both days. I didn’t mind it at all. I have about ¼ inch of hair and forgot about it most of the time. Really easy out of the water, no having to worry about my hair and how it dries. The other thing was dealing with my prosthesis while in the the water..would it fall out? would it turn upside-down or backwards? Would it be unever with my other breast? would everyone tell that it's not my real boob? These were by far the biggest of my worries. I only went down waterslides that had a tube, no body slides, no mat slides. When we went into the wave pool, I spent more time checking my boob than I did playing in the waves. All day I was constantly fixing my straps and checking to make sure everything was in place. What a PITA. I came out of the weekend feeling even better about my decision to have DIEP reconstruction. I love swimming and water and just hated having to deal with the prosthesis. But all in all, it was a fabulous weekend and we thoroughly enjoyed each other and relaxed!

Mary, what an inspiring service for your BIL. I’m so glad you came from it feeling like you did.

Rebecca, congrats on the results from the MRI. J Great pics of the family!

Mizsissy, you are so talented! The dress is lovely!

Viddie, looks like you figured out the dilemma with your dd. The cottage sounds like a nice getaway for you. I agree with Mel, take a deep breath and try to work it all out. It’s so hard to be patient with incompetent people, but don’t let them change what your goal is.

Nancy, I was offered a clinical trial similar to the one you were offered that consisted on either ovary removal or lupron for 5 years. I chose not to do it because I was afraid of the long-term effects of ovary removal on my bones. I was also afraid of instant menopause. I knew that chemo would probably put me into menopause, but didn’t want it to happen in one day if I could help it. I have not spoken to my gyn about ovary removal yet and will when I see him in August. For now, I’ll be going on Tamoxofin and will start taking them in about 2 weeks.

Jan, so glad you are starting to feel better. I actually think my #5 was worse than #6 was.

Oh, and the hot flashes and night sweats were worse, especially at night. I just could not figure out the air conditioning, hot flashes and night sweats enough to get a good night sleep. I’m going to bed early tonight.

Sorry this got really long.

Hugs to all!