The Chemosabe March Cruise

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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited May 2007

    Lisa..I've been sewing my little bald head off..LOL Thanks for the congrats, that pink one was a cutie. I've just keep sewing them and putting them on..figure gas money..Right?? Hugs all rosebud..aka rosebud251 on ebay

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    Jacque, So sorry to hear about your heart problems. I hope you don't end up having to get a monitor. I wanted to mention I love your avatar pic. I have not been able to find a wig I feel comfortable wearing. I guess I'm going to have to move on to scarves and see if I feel any more secure with them!

    Keenie, thanks for keeping us updated on the radiation. How long did you have to wait between the last chemo and the first rads? I am worried about getting finished as quickly as possible. I was told I can't wear a bra during that time and I don't think a braless ME would go over well at work (even if I had the guts for it).

    Rosebud, glad you're doing well on Taxotere. I wonder if that is easier than Taxol? I had my first Taxol and it kicked my bootay for about three days (days 3-5), but adter that I was okay. I sure hope Holly is faring better on it by now, too. I hope the rads/chemo combo works well for you.

    Patti, I always get the shot for red blood cells, too. I know how you feel. You're right about BC turning up everywhere we turn.... it's just crazy. I think more and more young women are getting it. It's in our food, our environment, sometimes our genes..... how does one escape?

    Cynthia, congrats on making it through A/C. I hope you do well on Taxotere. We're getting there! I know you've have a difficult go of it so far. Maybe getting the extra fluids is something we can all learn from. They give me Benedryl before Taxol and Herceptin, so I sleep all the time now while I'm there. For two weeks now they have been unable to draw blood from my port. Hopefully, we'll get that working soon.

    Nancy, my bone pain lasted three days.... it was horrendous, though. I feel like I can get through anything, as long as I know it's only for a few days. I slept through them as much as possible. So, so, so happy your lump was a non-event basically. I had discovered some lumps at my mastectomy site and showed my onc last week. She sent me to my BS yesterday. BS was only worried about one that was above the scar line. She was going to take a biopsy, but got in there and said she could get the whole thing. She snipped it right out and presented it to me on a hemostat, stating, "This looks like fatty necrosis!" She sent it off for a path report, so I should hear a definite confirmation by Tuesday. Darn holidays. I am encouraged and will be surprised if this one turns into bad news on me.

    Lisa, that is so cool about your brother sending you some money in a card. All the little kindnesses people do mean so much. Hopefully, we will all learn from it and be more sensitive and caring as we see opportunites to help others. I know I have done limited things for friends in the past who were ill and looking back now, I just cringe. At times when I thought I was being a good friend, I was really being a terrible one! DOH!

    So sorry you're having so many issues with the new boobies. It just doesn't seem like it should have to be so hard, does it? If you need me, I have enough fat to make two very voluptuous boobies. I know women with reconstruction who have D cups. I'm not sure which reconstruction it was.... I know I'm gonna want D's IF I ever get to the point of reconstruction. I guess I could always remove the other breast and just wear double prothesis.... who knows. Right now I am just trying to get through treatment and get well! I agree with you that last proposition from the lady at Kaiser was definitely unacceptable.

    Hope everyone has a great weekend!

    Miss S
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  • Keenie
    Keenie Member Posts: 258
    edited May 2007
    Hi Lisa,
    So, far the only piece of advice I've received about skin care during rads is to use unscented Dove soap and no deodorant. Once I start, I'll ask them what to do if my skin gets irritated. Being in Canada, I find that I can't find some of the meds and creams you guys can! But, I'll sure let you all know what they tell me.
    I read a bit more of the information sheet I got at my tatoo marking and I don't think I was supposed to wash off ALL of my Sharpie markings. Oops!

    Enjoy your long weekend, my American Sisters! We had ours last week! What is it about us Canadians - we have all our holidays before you!
    Christine
    x
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  • Keenie
    Keenie Member Posts: 258
    edited May 2007
    Hi Miss S,
    My first rad will be 4 weeks after my last chemo. The rad onc told me he wanted to be really well rested before I started.

    The nurse did tell me not to wear an underwire bra but to try a sports bra. I don't have much to hold up (!), so I'll opt for a nice cotton one.
    Christine
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  • taurie
    taurie Member Posts: 84
    edited May 2007
    Hi girls, sorry I havent posted, had the tx #3 Taxotere/Cytoxin on wed. It went without any problems. Although white blood count is up to 17 so stuck in the house again. 200 bucks down for 14 antibiotics. man this med stuff sucks, its killing me. Day 3 now, feeling a bit dizzy and weak but so far not bad. Day 4 and 5 usually kick my butt, so waiting to see what tomorrow brings. Protein is a bit down too as well as the electrolytes. Got a couple wierd spots showing on my wrists, not like age spots but brown, almost callus looking, anyone get these yet?

    Grammy you dont know how happy it makes me to hear it was fluid, I was very concerned, and worried about your mental being through this too.

    Best to the rest of you, you all know how the call outs can be when your too dizzy to sit here, lol sorry.
    I am thinking and praying for you all.
    Dawn
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  • Keenie
    Keenie Member Posts: 258
    edited May 2007
    Okay, you know you have chemobrain when,

    1. you respond to your own post because,
    2. in your post it sounded like your radiologist needed the extra rest not YOU

    Man.

    Keenie ChemoBrain
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited May 2007

    Keenie, you make me laugh. The good news is, we all understand/live chemo brain and just fill in where things are left out. Jacque

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    You also know you have chemobrain when you don't notice how tired Keenie's rad onc is until she points it out.

    BTW, thanks for the info. I am going to see if I can get going in three weeks. Also thanks for the sports bra tip. Any bra is way better than no bra.

    Miss S

    PS Let's all take extra naps just in case.
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited May 2007
    Lisa....think that B might be just a bit small for you....Fight girl Fight!!!!

    MissShapen...sorry I didn't know you had this lump thing going on also...happy to hear they think it is just a fatty necrosis...I will pray that is what the report comes back stating.

    Dawn..good to hear from you...hope you continue to feel okay. If your electrolytes are down you might want to try to drink alot of gatorade...straight is too sweet for me but i cut in half with water and it's okay. For your Protein counts... try some Boost...it's a good protein supplement drink.. you can put in to a blender with some ice and it's not half bad.

    Keenie...I must admit I didn't notice anything unusal about your post...had to go back and look at it to see what you where talking about.

    Miss S...I'm on my way to a nap right now!!!!
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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited May 2007
    Hi, cruisers --

    I wrote a post earlier this week, but it got eaten, and I couldn't write it over at the time. I worked a lot this week and the neuropathy kicked up a little, so I was trying to preserve my fingers for work typing.

    It's a hot, beautiful day today so DH and I took a long drive up to Pennsylvania, looked at houses to see how much more house we could get there than here, and drove through a state park. It's my first real excursion since chemo started.

    Tx6, Taxol2, wasn't too bad. The bone pain was a little worse, but still controllable with X-strength Tylenol. My fingers and the bottom of my feet have been burning, but nothing like the first time, so I'll credit the L-glutamine for keeping that under control. Still have a burning tongue occasionally, and I'm still fighting dry mouth and sores at the corners of my mouth, but my taste buds seem to be coming back to life.

    Tx7, Taxol 3, coming up next Thursday.

    While we were out today I got a strong craving for a Coke. I usually don't drink it because carbonation bothers my stomach and I don't need the calories. I can't drink diet drinks because Nutrasweet gives me migraines, and I can't drink caffeine anymore because of a tendency toward tachycardia. Sheesh!

    I decided I'd get a caffeine-free Coke, but the only kind they had was diet decaffeinated. Argh! So I did it -- I bought a real, sugared, with-caffeine Coke. I swore I'd take only a couple of sips, but it was so good I had about 4 ounces. Oh, the ecstasy!! It was wonderful!! I could actually taste it, too, which I couldn't have a few weeks ago. I thought I was on the heavenly plane.

    That was more than 4 hours ago, and my stomach is OK and my pulse is the same. Of course, I may be posting at 3 am, but it was worth it. Not something I'd risk very often, though.

    Shoutouts to come.
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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited May 2007
    Nancy -- I'm so glad that lump was just a pocket of fluid. How horrible to have to wait that out, though. Congrats on passing the 2/3 point!

    Diana -- You haven't posted since last weekend either -- how are you feeling?

    MissS-- How have you been doing with the neuropathy and peeling? I had the same experience with my heels -- after years of walking on pool decks, I'd built up some good calluses. My feet haven't been this soft in ages. Of course, I'd skip it gladly!

    Hope you're not sweating out the weekend too badly and that the biopsy confirms what the bs said.

    I think you made a good point about getting depressed when your counts are low. I'm feeling better both ways. I also think it's a vicious cycle with not getting enough exercise -- but how can you exercise when you can barely get off the couch?

    Dawn -- Sorry you're housebound again -- no fun at all.

    How are you doing with the runny eyes and nose? I can't bring myself to take one more pill, but every so often my right eye will tear over or my right nostril will run. I can't feel it coming, so I'm always clutching a Kleenix.

    Holly -- As bad as you've been feeling, it's fantastic you made that trip to Phoenix for your son's graduation. I hope these treatments start surprising you and that the SEs ease up.

    Angel -- Did you make it to the massage? Sounds like you're having a great time with your daughter and I hope you get more pampering.

    I have the same thing with the hair on my legs -- it's growing right down the front in a tiny strip, but nowhere else. Go figure!

    Patti -- What a fantastic thing your church did for you -- peace of mind is priceless.

    Congrats on passing the 2/3 mark!

    Lisa -- The story of the quilt from your church had me all choked up. How wonderful to have something tangible like that to say all those people care about you and are thinking of and praying for you. What a nice thing for your brother to do, too.

    Glad to hear your auto-immune diseases are behaving for now, too.

    Good luck on your DIEP fight -- do you have stats from NOLA to compare with the Kaiser doc's? A 20% failure rate sounds awfully high.

    I just checked the Hopkins site, and they claim a failture rate of less than 2% and say other major centers average around 5%.

    http://www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/services/ask_expert/index.asp?cat=8

    Jacque -- Your atrial fib episode sounded awful -- I hope your heart stays steady so you don't have to deal with it on top of everything else. No more Aredia, I assume?

    I hope your SEs stayed milder than they were the last time.

    Keenie -- Thanks for the report on your visit to the radiologist. I heard some use the tattoos but some use "permanent" markers. I've got scars and all sort of funky things going on with my skin -- I think even a teensy tattoo will push me over the edge.

    I missed the rad onc line the first time, too. Too funny! Other than being more absent-minded, I hadn't noticed too much chemo brain. I think it just kind of blends in with my usual menopausal fog.

    Rosebud -- Sorry your tx took so long. I caught a non-dripping saline drip myself, but luckily it was after only a few minutes. Hope your SEs are mild this time, too.

    Are you injecting the Neulasta in the stomach?

    Cynthia -- I hadn't heard about palpitations being related to Neupogen. I've been taking Neulasta, but I suppose it would be the same thing.

    Bettye -- Congrats on finishing the Taxol!

    Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend!
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  • playwriter
    playwriter Member Posts: 316
    edited May 2007

    hey, y'all, a quick hello. i've been out of town, but am doing fine. my next tx is wednesday. really tired, as DD1 had a swim meet at 6:45 am, so i'll catch up tmrw and give u all shoutouts. love and blessings to u.

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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited May 2007

    maxgirl...They give me the shot. I couldn't inject myself..LOL The nurse give me a poke in the arm. I do admire the ladies who give themselves shot..I do know I couldn't. Hugs Rosebud

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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited May 2007

    Rosebud -- You might try asking the nurse to give you the shot in the belly. Just roll up a little fat while she sticks you and let it goes as she injects. I haven't had any trouble with it hurting doing it this way (and it's DH who is giving the shot!). Even with Procrit, which is supposed to sting a lot, I got only a slight sting, rubbed the spot and it was gone.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    Hiya ladies!

    Nancy, I didn't really say anything about my lump before. At first I thought it most certainly had to be scar tissue or something and then the more I thought about it, the more frightened I became. I was also going through this other little 'episode' at the time. I had developed some sort of rash on my leg and it was scarlet red and I didn't know what it was, but it scared me. After about three days, I looked up skin mets and it looked just like it. I was pertrified that I had skin mets and was having a bit of a melt down. I decided to wait to show the onc until my regular visit and by then it was going away. She looked at it and had no idea what it was, but said not to worry about it since it was going away. Then I showed her my lumps and she said she wanted my bs to check them.

    I guess the whole thing is probably funny, but it didn't feel funny at all. I try to be confident and upbeat, but somewhere inside I am always waiting for the other shoe to drop. One thing I know about bc; you don't just have it and get better. You live each day knowing it could come back at any time.

    You know people who have gotten it twice. You know people with mets. You know people who have died from bc.

    You also know people who have had terrible bc and been NED for years and years. You know people who have been living with mets for years. You know people who have happily gone on their merry way.

    You hope for the best, but wait for the worst. I really hate bc.

    Okay, enough of that!

    Maxie girlie So glad to hear your feet are looking good, too! At the moment I am neither experiencing neuropathy nor any peeling. I, too, attribute my good fortune to L-glutamine. I have a slight amount of numbness in one of my heels, but it's not troublesome. I will add that I am very careful when using my hands. I don't try to open jars with stuck lids, play tug of war with the dog, etc.

    I hear ya about the excercize! I read in a book The red devil : to hell with cancer-- and back by Katherine Russell Rich last night that four hours of excercize a week decreases your risk of bc by 53%. Now those are some huge numbers. I think I am working toward four hours a month currently.

    Glad you had some Coke. It's the real thing, baby. Also very nice that you got to go on the excursion with hubby, too. Sounds like you had a nice day.

    I will be getting tx#6 taxol#2 on Thursday. I'm hoping it goes at least as well as the last one.

    Oh yeah, I finally got an appointment with a lymphedema specialist Tuesday. I am anxious to try to get that taken care of, because it's now moving into my trunk (I wish it would move into the trunk in the basement!).

    Rosebud, max is right about the belly shots. [Let's hear it for belly shots!!!] Usually they are practically painless. Mine burned last time and I bet the nurse didn't squeeze up my fat and then release it as she injected. Next time, I'm on it.

    Looking forward to hearing about your recent exploits, Terri.

    Love you all!

    Miss S
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited May 2007
    Bar Reservations May 28 - June 1

    Monday:
    Tuesday: Bettye (#12 Last Taxol-Hurray-then on to FEC x4)
    Wednesday: Playwriter
    Thursday: Maxgirl (#7), MissShapen (#6 - taxol 2)
    Friday:

    Prayer for smooth seas!!!
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  • dmknanny
    dmknanny Member Posts: 60
    edited May 2007
    Sign me up to meet Terri at the bar on Wednesday for Taxol #2 (treatment #6)

    MaxGirl - where are you in Maryland and where in PA did you come visiting? Was the state park you went through Codorus, by chance? I live in Hanover, which is just above the Mason/Dixon line in south central PA....you should have enjoyed some of our famous snack foods with that Coke (Snyder’s pretzels, Utz potato chips....)

    Lisa-the quilt sounds amazing. I can also sympathize with you on the weight gain - I've gained about 10 lbs, and they keep telling me that's good - good for WHO?? Not me - my clothes don't fit and it's making that tummy tuck I got from having a bilateral TRAM flap reconstruction worthless, as my tummy is now flat at the bottom and bulges out at the top of the incision! Good luck on finding the right PS to do your DIEP flap...keep checking until you find someone you are comfortable with.

    Nancy - so glad the lump turned out well for you....I'm sure that was quite a scare for you.

    MissS - I think that we all need to call the Dr and find out what's going on when strange things are happening.....like lumps and rashes....rather than worrying ourselves sick over it. Let's face it - we are ALL "waiting for the other shoe to drop" and 9 times out of 10 the strange things we feel or see turn out to be nothing, but we certainly lose a lot of sleep worrying about them before we get it checked out....

    Rosebud - I feel for you on the long appointment.....I did not do well with that, and am dreading tomorrow and the remaining Taxols for that reason. Glad to hear your rads will soon get started so you can get this all over with

    Bettye-congrats on the last Taxol

    Keenie-I, too, missed the original comment about your Rad Onc but was LMAO after you pointed it out and I re-read it! If they decide I need rads, one good thing is that since I had my reconstruction I don’t need to wear a bra at all, so that would not be an issue...........yeah!

    Jacque - so sorry to hear of all the trouble you had with your heart, but glad to hear everything is now settling down for you!

    The reason I have not posted for awhile is because I have been too busy! I have to say that last week (week after my first Taxol) I felt better than I have since all this nonsense started. My granddaughter and I planted a garden the DH tilled up this week, which meant lots of plant shopping, we re-did a flower bed in the front of the house, I painted the panelling and cabinets in the kitchen of our summer cottage, we re-arranged the bedroom furniture there, I spring cleaned my small bathroom at home and scrubbed the grout on the floor tile, a girlfriend from Massachusetts came on Friday and I spent the whole day with her (haven't seen her in 5 years!), we spent the whole weekend at the cottage, with friends spending Saturday evening with us, DD and her family as well as in-laws spent Sunday with us, and DS and his family spent Monday with us! Lots of cooking on the outdoor fireplace (I don't do that cooking - just get everything else ready)- good food, good times. I had so much energy, and it felt good to get some things accomplished. I hope the SE’s from tomorrow’s treatment are minimal, as we need to deliver the subs and pizzas we sold for our Relay for Life team on Weds evening (after chemo), Thurs afternoon we leave to visit my parents in Rehoboth Beach, DE and Friday go to OC Maryland for a wedding Saturday evening. IF I am fortunate enough to feel as well as I have it should not be a problem............we’ll see! My DH gets upset with me - tells me I need to “slow down” - but I tell him if I feel good, I’m gonna take advantage of it! I do stop if I get tired and rest if I need to.... it will be quite an adjustment when I have to go back to work!

    Wishing you all a good week free of SE’s, and good luck to those of you hitting the bar for chemo or the beach for rads.........don’t forget to wear sunscreen!

    Diana
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  • Angelflight
    Angelflight Member Posts: 163
    edited May 2007
    Hi ladies,
    Been missing hearing from you all. I had a great time with my daughter and all the sil's.
    The first 4 days with my daughter my stomach was a bit queasy but nothing I couldn't handle. She scrubbed my house from top to bottom, even washed down all the kitchen cabinets, cleaned fingerprints off the light switches and walls. I could have kissed her and eaten her up for doing it. Maybe now I can get through the next few months without complaining so much....lol I feel like the spring cleaning is finally done.
    Next she took me to get a massage for my Mother's Day present. Well needless to say they wouldn't touch me. The girl told me she needed a note from my Onc saying it was ok. That didn't bother me except that when I called for the appt. the week before I was very specific about my mastectomy and my chemo and they told me it wasn't a problem. I could have had the stupid note with me on the day I needed it. Oh well so much for that massage.
    The sil's all arrived and we spent our days, shopping, lounging in the jacuzzi, sitting by the fire at night, talking, gabbing, cooking, playing games etc. We stuffed 60 bears and dropped them off at the police dept. for the kids. We would eat, nap, play, nap, eat some more. We had a great time and I don't think I lifted one finger the whole time they were here. It was great and we all got so much rest. I havn't laughed so much since I was a kid. I think we're going to start doing this more often.

    I've been feeling pretty good lately except for off and on the metallic taste with drinks. Finally got past it with Gingerale and have been sucking it down for 2 days now. I'll be glad when that goes away again. I didn't get any 'd' this time after treatment and boy for once I was truly happy about it. I've been fighting with my allergies since the weather change but can't do anything about it till my next appt the middle of June.

    I hope you're all doing good and have minimal se's. Havn't had a chance to read all the posts yet. I'll be off here again for a few days. Want to get some things done around here.

    Put me down for next tx on Wed next week. Only 2 left and I'm DONE!!!!! No rads either. I'll be soooooo happy when this cruise is over for me.

    Love,
    Angel
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  • 3boys4me
    3boys4me Member Posts: 319
    edited May 2007
    Hi Ladies,
    Happy Tuesday! I hadn't realized how long it'd been since I read through the posts and posted myself. I think I've been self-absorbed recently.

    It's been a good week - my week off. Went to the desert for the long weekend with my husband, 10 yo son and one of his friends. Loved the sun and the pool and the massage, manicure and pedicure (yes, I had my nails done)!

    But, alas, alack, I belly back up the bar tomorrow for my last chemo prior to surgery which will is tentative schedules for sometime in July.

    Thank you for all your good thought about my mom. She's hanging in there. She's getting weaker and her mind just isn't what it used to be. She knows me most of the time, but other times I wonder.... I'm just trying to spend a little time with her everyday.

    Hugs to all - hang in there everyone - this too shall pass,
    Lisa
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited May 2007
    Updated Bar Reservations May 30 - June 1

    Wednesday: Playwriter, DMKnanny (#6 - #2 taxol), 3boys4me (last one before surgery)

    Thursday: Maxgirl (#7), MissShapen(#6 - #2 Taxol)

    Friday:
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited May 2007
    My dear MissShapen...I feel so sad that you carried that worry without our support. You are always so upbeat and I see you giving such positive support all over this board. We are here for you...to cry, to scream, to vent, to pray and to rejoice with good news. You are so right...we never know what journey is ahead of us and I do worry everytime I have a ache or pain...I don't think that will ever go away. I don't think even the docs know who will make it and who won't. There is just so much unknown..so we just live each day and enjoy each day and do the best we can and know that God is with us. Please let us know what when you get your report back...my prayers continue.

    Smooth sailing to Playwriter, Dmknanny and 3 boys4me as you step up to the bar tomorrow.

    Angel...your girls get together sounds wonderful...

    Sweet dreams all,
    Nancy
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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited May 2007
    MissS -- I hear you on the uncertainty and waiting for the other shoe to drop. Sorry you've had to go through this latest episode.

    Nice that you escaped neuropathy this time. I try to protect my hands, but I have to spend a lot of time on the computer, so I guess I have to expect some.

    My fingernails look awful, though. The nailbeds are swollen and the nails are lifting. If they survive the next 2 treatments, I'll be amazed. This is so gross.

    I'll be interested to hear what the lymphedema specialist said -- I hope there's lots to help you.

    Diana -- Yes, that was Codorus we drove through, and we also drove through Hanover! My husband kept saying, "Why do I know Hanover?" Then we drove past the Snyder's plant. LOL You're right -- some chips would have been great with that Coke. We live near DC but it took us only an hour and a half to get back from the park.

    I am absolutely in awe of your energy. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I hope tomorrow goes smoothly and the SEs are mild enough to let you enjoy your weekend at the beach.

    Angel -- Sounds like the SE's are letting up for you -- that's great. Too bad about your massage, but getting your spring cleaning done and having a lot of girl fun score pretty high on the positive side.

    3boys -- Glad you had a nice getaway with the family -- hope the SEs are mild this time around.

    PW -- Good luck at the bar tomorrow!

    Nancy -- That's so true about the unknown. I keep telling myself that people get hit over the head by the unknown every day -- accidents, sudden heart attacks, etc. -- but somehow that doesn't help dispel this feeling that there's a dark cloud hanging over my head. I think living with uncertainty is going to be a learning process (see, even there, I had the thought -- yeah, I hope it's a long learning process).

    Thanks again for keeping us up-to-date on who is going to the bar.
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  • Keenie
    Keenie Member Posts: 258
    edited May 2007
    Hey Massage Lovers!

    I'm going for a lymphedema assessment on Friday before my first radiation tx. I don't have any signs of swelling, but this will give baseline meaurements. The therapist did say, however, that having a regular massage is more tricky for BC ladies. Regular massage pushes fluids into our arms and then relies on our lymphatic system to remove them. Because our lymph systems are not working as well as they did prior to node removal, we shouldn't have any massage around the upper chest and arm area on our affected side. (There will be a quiz on this later )

    I'll let you all know what the specialist says once I've been. I love a massage, but I guess we have to find a therapist who knows about our "issues" and will carefully respect them.

    Enjoy a sunny, peaceful, and blessed week!
    Christine
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    Hello my sisters,

    Thanks for your kind words and encouragement regarding my little meltdown post. Nancy, your post made me cry! I have been very emotional lately.

    I have not received any news on my lump yet. She said it should be back in a couple of days, so I thought yesterday at the latest. I called them and they didn't have it. I know logically that it is probably nothing bad, so I am trying to hold to that thought. I have an appointment for her to take out the stitches on Thursday and she said she was not going to make me wait til then for the results. We'll see. Just got the call.... it's fatty necrosis!

    Max, your fingers sound wretched. At the moment my nails are firmly attached to the fingers. I hope you don't lose yours, but I have heard of that happening. I think you're one tx ahead of me. My heels are peeling now.... in big sheets. I have to be careful not to let it rip. I have new soft skin ready to greet the world, though.

    The lymphedema therapist was very nice. She spoke with me about what to do, what not to do; as well as proper nutrition. She measured me and will start MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) on Friday. After that I will go every day for two weeks. During that time she will work on my arm, as well as teach me exercises and how to wrap it. I will also receive a compression sleeve (I'm not sure if my insurance covers the sleeve or not). She did say that my fingers look good enough that I shouldn't have to wear the full glove. I'll learn more as I go along. Apparently this is something I should be able to care for on my own, except when/if I have some sort of big issue crop up.

    I'm going out to dinner tonight with two ladies I met at the LGFB program. We have been touching base infrequently and are looking forward to an evening out. I'm excited!

    Hang in there everyone and thanks for being here for me. I appreciate all of you.

    Miss S
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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited May 2007

    It's funny how we are just talking about the other shoe dropping and I have a scare. They did lab work on my blood when I got my chemo last week and found out my calcium was very high. The nurse called and told me they'd check it again the next week. When I went in yesterday for labs, I asked if having a high calcium level was bad. Guess what??? it is. Nurse said it could be a sign of bone mets but don't worry. LOL, don't worry..me who has cancer..worry about a little thing like that??? They took my blood and told me they'd let me know the next day. It took two phone calls from me to find out that the level went back to below normal and everything was fine. The calcium spiked..now get ready for this one...due to the TUMS I took before my chemo that day. Tums made it look like I had an issue. So, don't take tums before getting your blood tested.. I can smile now but I sure the heck was scared on this one..Hugs All Around..rosebud

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited May 2007
    Miss S…..HIP HIP HOORAY!!! I’m doing a happy dance for you...now you go out and enjoy yourself at dinner. Sounds like you found a good lymphedema therapist…let’s know how it goes. I think I’ve got some going on so will get referred next week.

    Keenie…thanks for the heads up on massages….I love them..we will just have to be very careful.

    Rosebud….so sorry about your scare but am so happy it turned out that the culprit was tums. And you too carried that scare around for a week without saying anything…we’re here for you. Isn’t it just amazing how they can throw out things like that could be bone mets and then leave you hanging.

    Love and prayers to all my sisters,
    Nancy
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  • taurie
    taurie Member Posts: 84
    edited May 2007
    Hi girls,
    I certainly hate hearing all these scares but am very glad to hear all of them are just that, false. Well seems everyone is having Dr. visits, so here is mine from today.
    I do have to see a lymh. specialist too, so I am watching closely you girls already going through this. This manual drainage thing, what is that? Also I have to see an infectious disease specialist, seems I can't shake this bacteria thing I have. I am now on two antibiotics. My severe stomach pains, onc told me to eat Dannon Active and Activia both. He said the yogurt cultures help fight bacteria and is the best thing for the immune system being low and helps your stomach meet back to the natural flora. If its the big D, C, or just cramps or pain, supposed to help. He gave me pain killers for the bone pain. Said as far as the not sleeping issue, to take power naps, he would rather that happen then keep giving stuff for the liver to fight off meds not necessary when its fighting so hard with the chemo.
    ok now for the fun part, I think you will enjoy this story. I was crying in the Dr. office, (seems thats all I do besides be hateful) telling him about my emotional roller coaster. I told him to be blunt, if I am a total bitch now. He said you havent even covered the surface. Told me he had a patient in yesterday. BC lady. Her whole family came in to talk to him. Seems she is in such a bad mood the ten days of chemo, her family bought her a mobile home, fixed it up, put air in it. They bring her 3 meals a day and movies, stuff to do, whatever she needs, but she stays there the 10 days alone. Family is happier, she is happier. They asked if it was ok. He said if thats what she needs is her time out, then give it to her. LOL told my DH, am i that bad yet I need a mobile home. He said no, close though. Then Dr. said see, if she needs her space, give her some. I just thought that was hilarious.
    Dawn
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  • Angelflight
    Angelflight Member Posts: 163
    edited May 2007
    HE HE HE!!!
    I'm off to look for a mobile home!!!

    Angel
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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited May 2007
    Take me with you! I just get angry at the Doctors.the rest of you are safe unless you have a PHD in Medicine..LOL
    rosebud
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited May 2007
    MissS - congrats! What a relief!
    Rosebud - so glad it was only a false alarm. Also a relief!
    To all needing to go to the lymphodema specialist: I have had slight lymphodema for quite some time (since first dx four years ago). I have intermittently gone to have it massaged, etc. I have a glove I wear if I am traveling on a plane - but otherwise, I just make do with a slightly puffy arm, hand and trunk. I could never tolerate the wrap. I decided, if it gets bad enough, I will get a sleeve - but until then - I am just ignoring it. However - some tips: DON'T wear the body slimmer undergarments (the upper torso ones) - these push fluid up into your arm. Wear disposable gloves while cleaning the restroom - I twice ended up in the hospital with celulitis - not fun. Put antibiotic ointment and bandaid on any cut/sore on the lymphedema side (you have less immune protection on the side where nodes were removed). Don't let mannicurists snip at cuticals on the lymphedema side. Wear good gloves when gardening - I even put a disposable glove on under my gardening glove. Don't overdo on lifting. Watch your salt intake. I know there are tons more - but just take it easy. So far lymphedema hasn't been that great of a hardship for me.
    Hope all our bar resevation ladies are having a good week and that the rest of you are enjoying your time away from tx.
    Hugs, Jacque
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