Starting Chemo in JAN 2007
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Good afternoon ladies. Hope you're enjoying the wonderful holiday weekend. This holiday should be *REALLY* wonderful because most of us are on the homestretch here!!
We drove up to Pigeon River a day early; heck, DH was home, I had everything packed and the evening was still young, so we took off!!! Great thing too, because we blew out a tire on the camper half way up, and it was pretty easy to deal with with lots of extra time. Stayed at a motel that night (the waitress asked if we wanted separate checks at breakfast!!!!) and then got to the campsite mid-morning. It was really a good thing we got there early because our favorite site was already gone, but we got the next best one.
Pigeon River is a very wild but well managed state forest in Northern Michigan. It is beautifully remote and pristine. This was our first camping trip probably in a couple of decades, and it was so nice to come back. Things had changed a little, but for the better.
We had a lovely site right on a high bluff over the river, which was babbling,fresh, and clear. Deep enough to swim in, but the current was very strong and quite cold. Let me tell you though, I can't describe how refreshingly good it felt to immerse yourself in that cold water to get off the heat and insects!!! I forgot my bathing suit!!! So, I first I tried using an extra pair of PJs, but then, I thought--what the heck, I'll just skinny dip...so that's what I did when no one was looking!!!
This was the maiden voyage for our camper, which worked out really well. The weather couldn't have been nicer. Warm days with highs in the 60s and very cool sleeping temperatures. We had a stove and heater in the camper to warm us up in the morning, and once the sun was up, it warmed up outside very nicely too.
We got in a lot of hiking and relaxing; I know it sounds banal, but there is something so special about being in nature and enjoying the peace, natural diversity, and forest sounds. It renews & strengthens.
Here are some pix...
Our campsite on the river
Pigeon River near our campsite
Yours truly...ach...my scalp is showing!!!!
I've also got more pictures on Google http://picasaweb.google.com/mizsissy/PigeonRiverSpring2007
Mizsissy
PS...I've caught up on most of your posts and will catch up with you later today, but let me just tell you, Mena got her dress and she loves it!!!! -
Viddie, I know it's not funny but I couldn't help laugh that your suppositories melted. I'm sure that falls under the "come on, give me a break"
Lynn,
LOL!!!
That poor robin. You did the best you could do. Last year we found one robin egg under a tree in my yard. My dh picked it up and put it back in the nest when the robin was gone. The robin never returned.
Seven pounds is a lot of water loss. Even though you have some s/e, I hope you feel better in general.
Amera,
A smile is always a nice way of communication. A very good positive response. I think I will also try it.
I'll just skinny dip...so that's what I did when no one was looking!!!
Mizsissy, Good for you!! I am glad you had a fun relaxing time. Great pictures. Your camper looks so warm, cozy and inviting.
Yikes, My dh(dem) and one of our neighbors(Rep) are in my kitchen debating about politics- they both enjoy their talks, but it makes me a bit uncomfortable. I like everyone to get along. It is pretty funny though- they both get so righteous. I think I will to change the subject- right!!
Viddie -
Amera,
Thanks about the book recommendation. I also found this magazine on the FORCE site:
http://www.thecancerblog.com/2006/09/20/magazine-reaches-for-women-living-beyond-breast-cancer/ -
Mizsissy, those are lovely photos. And your report of the trip makes me envious. Not all the hiking and activity but I'd love to be there in the outdoors.
I'm so glad your maiden voyage was successful. That bodes well for the summer, doesn't it?
Cindy -
My last treatment was April 13th and today I've been experiencing some kind of chemo rebound. My eye has been tearing, my nose running, I've an icky taste in my mouth, my bowels are in a twist again. I'm feeling very chemo-esque. Blah!!!!
Tomorrow is coming......I know it is......getting there can be a challenge though.
Cindy -
Hey ladies, I made it home from Lincoln, a 9-hour drive. Cindy I was so relieved to see that you also made it after your car trouble. I think I have had chemo rebound too from the Taxol, when the weird smells come back, and bone pain. I tried taking a walk upon return to stretch from the car ride but the pain started up in my breastbone again and had to quit. IS there such a thing as chemo rebound? Anyone else know?
Mizsissy, glad you had a good campout too and that Mena's dress fit, lucky gal.
In case anyone is wondering on the wedding photos, they are acting out an ancient tradition where she is wearing the red dress and veil. Red means good luck and protection from spirits, and the ritual is from ancient times when marriages were arranged, the groom owned the bride but did not see her til the wedding day. David had to take Cixin's veil off and look surprised. It was such fun to watch.
I'm on my way to bed will post more tomorrow. Happy Memorial Day everyone. - Skye -
Skye, so glad you're home safe and Cindy, you too. Wish I could have been at that wedding - have always wanted to see one of those. I love the costumes and their rituals - and the bride and groom are so cute. Thanks for sharing the pics, Skye. Cindy, thanks for sharing the story of your meeting - wish I had been at that, also? I notice that I am wishing I were lots of places, lately.
Don't know if there is such a thing as chemo rebound, but I suspect there is. What I do know is that there is no such thing as truth in what we heard about taxol being the easy half of chemo. I don't know where that got started, but I will be the first to tell anyone that taxol is TOXIC and the side effects of it don't go away nearly as fast as the AC side effects do. I hope it did the job for all of us, then it'll be worth it.
I'm attempting to post my aquarium photo - there don't seem to be any instructions, so I'll see what happens. I may need to go back in and delete, or resize. If it shows up, Jan, this one's for you. -
I have that book, After Breast Cancer. I attended a BC conference at OSU a few months ago and she was a guest speaker (Hester Hill Schnipper). Her husband is an oncologist at Beth Israel in Boston, I believe. I think the book is good... a good one to pick up and read from time to time, when you are having a "moment". As a LICSW that treats BC patients and a patient herself, she def. has a good perspective. I enjoy her book more than I did her presentation. She seems angry/disappointed about her own recurrence 13 years later or so....rightly so... but I think you attend these things hoping to come out uplifted and I didn't feel that way.
My dr. also spoke at this seminar...that's why I attended. I was hoping to get some add'l insight but unfortunately, a lot of what he said seemed to be a repeat of what he said in our first appt. Kind of depersonalized it for me, as if it had been a prepared speech. Oh well... I can't expect special treatment or an individualized discussion.
Hester's husband, the oncologist, sums it up for me in the book's foreword: When chemo and rads are complete, may women experience a renewed sense of vulnerability...the awareness that there are no tests avl. to prove the BC therapy has been fully successful provokes anxiety and often depression.
I've had a rough weekend, mentally. I know I have NO REASON...I have a good prognosis, etc., but I am scared. Scared of being cut short. Yeah, I know theoretically I could be hit by a bus, etc, but... If this doesn't lift, I may look into antidepressants at my next onco. appt. in June. I need to research a little more: I thought I read something about them possibly making Tamoxifen less effective.
Happy Memorial Day everyone. -
Great camping pics, Linda! You are right: the scenery is very relaxing/renewing... even from the pics. I felt like I had a mini vaca. just looking at them. Have to say, I cracked up at your faux mink throw on the camper bed! Glam camper!
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Great aquarium pics Mel! I'm sure it takes a lot of dedication to keep that looking so good.
Skye & Cindy, glad you guys hooked up and made it home OK. Love the wedding photos. I love different weddings. Prob. because in my early 20's I was a cocktail waittress on weekends at a country club and they all became so cliche to me.
RE: taxol, I read in Susan Loves Breast Book this weekend that it's either the strongest or most effective chemo drug there is... thought that may make some of you "taxolers" feel better.
I also read the book "HER2". More like scanned it because it had a lot of excess stuff I wasn't interested in, i.e. the politics of getting it approved by the FDA. It was uplifting in the sense that it talked about some AMAZING Herceptin success stories. It mentioned one dr., Dr. Charles Vogel, in Miami and I was glad to see that because I had asked my dr. for a name of an onco. in south Florida. Some day I'll go back there. Plus, we thought my mother was going to need one this past x-mas. She had a BC scare...she was lucky...turned out to be OK. -
Post deleted by TPPJ
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OK...last post. I don't want to take up everyone's time. I had to laugh: I was just taking off the sticker of a solid black bandanna (a rarity!) I found at JoAnn Fabrics. The sticker say's: Perfect for craft projects, active wear, deocrating, rodeos and barbecues.
LOL! I'll have to remember to pull it out for the next RODEO I attend. -
Robin update: We looked on the ground below the deck and found the baby robin huddled up in a patch of long grass. Dh dug up a couple earth worms and we fed it. It's pretty funny because as soon as you go close to the robin, it opens it's mouth, it doesn't care who feeds it. Later on in the day, the mommy and daddy robin seems to care that we were close, so we're hoping they are feeding it. Can't find it this morning, but mommy is still around down there so we think it just moved. I hope it makes it.
Chemo rebound - I either have it or never finished feeling chemo se from my last treatment 3 weeks ago. I have bone pain and nasty taste in my mouth. yuck!
Amera, nice experience at the grocery store. Smiling is a wonderful thing! I ordered the book.
Tina, sorry you're having a rough weekend. I think many of us fall into that category from time to time. We have been through the ringer and back over the past few months and are entitled to feeling blue every once in a while. Hang in there my friend! The bandana must have been made in the south..I don't think there are too many rodeos in the north.
Tamoxifen: I have the 90 day supply staring at me every day. Onc told me to start 3 - 4 weeks after my last chemo...it will be 3 weeks tomorrow. I have a bit of anxiety about taking the first pill, knowing it'll be at least 5 years taking it (or AI). I have never been on any medication for a long time.
Mizsissy, great pics, so glad your maiden voyage was a success!
We're going to a graduation party today. I don't think anyone there is aware of my bc, so I have some anxiety about showing up and everyone staring. -
Mel, your aquarium is gorgeous. Makes me want one! Do you have someone to clean it? I also wish you and everyone else could have been with Cindy and me in Lincoln.
Tina I think we all have those weepy days. We would not be thinking people if our minds didn't go darker places upon occasion. We just need to acknowledge the thoughts and then get back to better ones, I think. I've met SO many people with complete remissions, I'm going to aim for joining their club. I also have an ongoing faith that in the end, my life is in God's hands.
Lynn, we do have rodeos in the north! Not that I've ever been to one but they have them around here, I've seen pix. Good luck to the baby robin, poor thing. And I know what you mean about taking something long term. My onc says I'll be on tamo 2 years then Arimidex for 5. But I've taken synthetic thyroid meds for 10 years, you just get used to the routine. Hoping you get no rude stares at the graduation party. Just smile at them if you do.
DH and I are having a quiet day at home. He's launching his boat and I'm still recovering from trip fatigue, we'll grill some fish later. My tip of the day: always examine your head for new hair growth in a magnifying mirror only! :-) - Skye -
What a georgeous, beautiful Memorial Day. Perfect temps, sunshine, and the rhododendruns, lilacs, and irises are all blooming together! I have a few minutes here before we prepare for Mary's visit so I will *try* to catchup!!!
First of all, Joni, I am *SO GLAD* to hear your good news and know that you have such a good prognosis. Have you ever heard of cyber knife? My hospital just got a new one a couple of weeks ago; it allows for noninvasive surgery to organs like the liver with no damage to nearby organs; it is especially good for getting cancers in difficult places. Yours is very small, but I wonder your doctors would recommend this kind of surgery for you?
Joni sent me the most wonderful gift right before we took off camping, a slide video of Vincent Van Gogh's paintings accompanied by the music of Starry Night. It is a wonderfully inspiring video; anybody who wants it, send me your email (you can see mine by going to my personal page) and I'll send it back to you. Thank you Joni, what a wonderful gift!!!
Caya, suddenly becoming an empty-nester can mean a Big Change in your life, it changes your family structure, your marriage. You'll sure miss your daughters, but pretty soon you'll get them back. Just wait until they get married and have your grandchildren!!!
Robertin...it's great to see you back here, healthy & kicking. We missed you!!
Viddie...haemmerhoids...oh boy. I know ALL ABOUT THEM. I had them for years and years. The best advice I can give you is get some medicated wipes, the kind with witch hazel, and use them constantly. Things will heal a lot quicker.
Skye & Cindy...another get together, I almost missed that!! ...that wedding looks like a blast, your kind of entertainment. Cindy, the hiking wasn't all that bad, pretty easy really, now that I'm not so afraid of bears. The older I get the more fearless I get.
Mel, your aquarium is quite a work of art. I hear that people can become hypnotized and much calmer looking at them.
Lynn, loved to hear about your sweet dream of all of us together. It will happen soon, not for all of us, for a good portion. Shorti--how are you feeling? What's the weather like in Ontario? Are yall still coming in September? I certainly hope so. So I'm expecting Joni, Shorti, Lynn, Caya, Mary, hopefully Jan, and *anybody else* who hasn't signed up yet. We've got room!!
* * * * First Weekend After Labor Day * * * * * * * * * * * DON'T FORGET * * * * * *
Nancy, you have no excuse. I mapquested the distance from where you live in Ohio to Pinckney and it was only a few hours! I do hope you are feeling better!!!
Heard from Mena, she's doing a lot better. The dress fit just perfectly, except for the length. She'll need to hem it, and it helped cheer her up.
TPPJ, yes! Antidepressants do interefere with Tamoxifen (but not the AIs). You need to switch to Effexor. This was my quandary back a few pages ago when I was so concerned about going on Tamo. I thought I had solved the problem when I decided to take Femara, which doesn't interfere with Prozac, but then I found out I had ostepenia. My regular oncologist is not as up-to-date as my second opinion man, the head honcho at UM, but I have a letter from him recommending that I switch to Effexor, which, BTW also helps very well with hot flashes. Anyway, I didn't engage in the month long transition from Prozac to Effexor which involves tapering the Prozac off while tapering the Effexor in, so I'll take Prozac for a little while on Tamo, and then try going off completely. If that doesn't work, I'll consider Effexor.
Whew...whoever I missed I do apologize...but I have got to post this before I lose it!!!!
xxxooo Mizsissy -
Hello:
Well Tina, I go to rodeos all summer. I used to barrel race, so maybe you should send me that bandana!! Hahaha. The Calgary Stampede is the largest rodeo in the world, and it is coming up in July!!
Lynn, I take my tamoxifen after dinner. I have one pill that is 20mg. No side effects, in fact I think I have less hot flashes than I did on chemo.
MizSissy, looks like you had a wonderful weekend, and what a beautiful area.
Skye & Cindy, glad you two hooked up. I loved the comment from you Cindy about chemo-esque! I'll have to use that.
Mel your aquarium is terrific.
Amera, loved your "Small Blessings".
My sister had a bad fall this weekend, she fell on the driveway, the next door neighbour's dog got her legs all tangled in a long leash. She has a broken nose, a horrible bump on her head, a shiner like she's been in a heavyweight fight, and a broken bone in her hand. I went over and sat with her on Saturday nite, as her husband is off on a golf week. She also came over for dinner last nite. She's a home care nurse, so I told her, she might scare some of her patients today.
Dar, hope you had a wonderful 50th Birthday party!!
I'm off for my first radiation HIT today. Wish me luck!!
Viddie, TLC, T4T, Robertin, Melia, RobbinJaye, Caya, Shorti, Rebecca, Jan, and everyone...hope you have a great week.
Hugs to all!!
Joni -
Damn....lost my entire post! OK... yes, bandanna straight to Calgary for that stampede!
Yes, MizSissy, I was 99% certain that that was your issue w/Tamoxifen and antidepressants. Now, a few hours later, I'm feeling much better. We got out to the annual Memorial Day bbq at our club's pool...DH came and was very sociable, got to know our neighbors much better, making me feel MUCH better as he can be very introverted at times and it makes it hard for me to do all the small talk. Yes, me!
Lynn....I swear they teach the dr's in med school to tell us to begin Tamox. "in a few weeks" to make us feel like we have a say in some of this... my doctor said thee same exact thing. What's the chances of that? -
I'm laughing at myself today. As I look at my Chihuahua hair, I see that large white spot in front standing out from the mix of dark and white. Australian Cattle dogs (blue or red heelers)often sport a "Bentley" mark - a white spot on their heads between their ears.
My heeler, Clementine, has a small Bentley. My first heeler had a large one. My nieces always rubbed it when they came over - said it was for luck.
I think I'll ask the girls next time I see them if they want to rub my lucky spot!
Cindy -
How awful that must have been! And still is........ow!!!!!!!!!!
Cindy -
Mel I love the aquarium! Thanks so much for posting. We always find watching our fish is so relaxing. Although we have 5 silver dollars that in the evenings all line up and stare into the kitchen. We always wonder what they are up to.
Lynn I bet that robin will be fine. Even after they fall out of the nest the parents will usually keep feeding it and watch over it. Usually they fall out when they are very close to learning to fly so maybe it will take flight soon. If you get really worried you can probably find a wildlife rescue place that will take it in. Sometimes vets that treat pet birds will take them too and feed them until they can fly.
DH and I just started reading the Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama (sp?). Im just about 100 pages in, but its an incredible book. I think it will be a life-changer for me. DH is only about 30 pages in so I cant wait until he reads it so we can talk about it. Ive always been intrigued by Buddhism, but this book is not really about that as much as it is about applying some of the concepts to our Western culture to live a happier life. Has anyone else read it?
We had a good weekend. We celebrated my brothers birthday Friday. Saturday my mom babysat and DH and I went out for dinner. Its always a pleasure to get through a meal with out constantly getting up and down to refill milk, get more napkins, etc. And of course it never fails that at least one kid needs help going to the bathroom during dinner (that always does wonders for my appetite). Sunday we went to the white water park and let the kids play on the rocks I love it there, full of outdoors loving people that wear hats and bandanas, its the one place where I feel like I can blend in. Today we got out on the boat for a few hours. The water is still way too cold for me so we just puttered around, but the kids had a great time and it was very relaxing. I came home and took a 2 hour nap (I never get to do that) so Ill probably be up all night!
We didnt go to any Memorial Day activities. I guess we should but I just dont want to do that with my 6 year old yet. Both of my brothers are in the military. One spent a year in Iraq and the other is on subs so I guess I dont want her to make the connection between soldiers and funerals until shes older if I can help it. She was only 3 when he was in Iraq and it was still very stressful for her.
Skye - the wedding pics are beautiful.
Mizsissy - sounds like a great trip. Thanks for sharing the pics. Looks like you were camping in style. -
Hi gals, hope you all had a nice Mem Day. I feel like I had a double header weekend, with our camping trip & Mary's visit.
She and her husband got here mid afternoon; we all went biking, ten miles, and the guys could barely keep us with us!!!
Came back, socialized and ate a ton of food!!! It was wonderful to finally meet one of my friends here, and Mary is such a special person.
Mizsissy -
Quote:
Tina
However, I think I may need to cut back on my "reading". It may not be helping me. It's not like I'm reading from unreputable sources or anything...
Tina I know what you mean. I stopped reading the My Cancer posts on NPR because I feel they all have this tone of imminent demise. - Skye -
Oh, Mizsissy and Mary, what a great photo!! Thanks so much for posting the photo, Mizsissy, as well as your vacation photos, which were great. Makes me want to get a camper and head to Michigan. And Mary, you're gorgeous - glad to see you in a picture other than your avatar. Those are so limiting. But where was your helmet, young lady?
Jan, glad you liked the fish tank. Our big fish stare at us at dinner time also. Interestingly enough, I have recently bought "The Art of Happiness," thinking that I would read it while I was recuperating from surgery. I've done a fair amount of reading about Bhuddism, also - it is such a positive way of looking at the world, I think. It is rare that I meet someone who shares that interest.
Amera, I also ordered the book you recommended. While I was at it I also ordered one by Carolyn Kaelin about exercise and fitness after breast cancer. Hopefully that will provide some good tips.
Joni, there seem to be endless facets to you - barrel racing, no less! I always thought that sounded like fun when I was a kid. I rode a lot, but never got close to doing anything like that. Hope your poor sister is doing ok - sounds like a bad fall.
The highlight of my weekend was a massage, today. My dh doesn't encourage me doing stuff like that, but I just felt like I needed it so much that I did it anyway. She was so good that I signed up for one more before my surgery next week. I'll probably undo all the good it did in the morning - I have to drive 30 miles in the traffic early in the morning to go to my preop. Really dreading that, but suppose I'll make it. It's raining really heavily here, which makes it much more stressful.
Hope everyone had a great weekend
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Linda, thanks for a great time. I'm off to the gym and work. Have a good day everyone.
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Just thought I would share with those in the know. I have been having frequent hot flashes. They are annoying and uncomfortable but nothing major.
My husband has been so funny about this. He runs to get me water, turns the fan on, asks how I'm feeling etc. He did none of this during chemo. Nothing. He was supportive in the basic sense, but I don't think ever asked how I was feeling or did anything without being asked.
I'm sure part of this is because chemo scared him to death and with the hot flashes, he can actually do something to help. I have to say I like the attention. Better late than never. -
Great picture, Mary and Mizsissy!
Jan, haven't read Dalai Lama book but I may. May be better for me than some of the stuff I have been reading.
I could sooooooooooo relate to your comment about going to dinner, getting up fifty times to get this or that, go to the bathroom, etc. -
Mel, I have Carolyn Kaelin's book. Someone sent it to me. I rec'd it right around the time I began chemo and it scared me...she said stuff like "oh, I slept 14 hours a day". I was like WHAT??????!!! Anyway, I put it down for a long while, but once I began A/C and realized it was certainly do-able, I got the courage to read it again and it was very helpful. She is another one w/a unique perspective...patient and doctor. My doctor knows her as well, as she is from Boston too. Overall, I found that book to be more helpful during tx than after. She doesn't talk a lot about the after, as After Breast Cancer does. Still good and worth it though.
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Amera, I don't know why you'd start having flashes now. Is that an s/e of rads? I only got them during weekly Taxol...lasted about four weeks. Glad they stopped.
Did your periods stop during chemo (don't answer if that's too nosy)? I think even if they hadn't, the chemo can speed up the menopause process and flashes can begin years before that happens. I did get my period back but I read that it may only stay for a while or be very sporadic. Who knows what will happen. It was great, for me, not having it. -
Good morning all,
I am catching up on all the posts; so glad some of you could get together. The photos are wonderful. I meet with a group off bc.org here in San Diego every month or so and it is so nice to be with other women who "get it." You are all so lovely! Next time I get together I will tell you so you can see the photo of all of us; I am not into photography, and obviously don't have an avatar, but I like seeing what all of you look like, so it's only fair!
I had a great weekend with our kids. Noisy, full house, lots of laughter, lots of talk about the wedding in Oct, very little talk about bc. I could actually forget for hours at a time. Taught my son in law some pointers about barbequeing, caught up with my girls, got our son off to the airport for his summer in DC. Everyone left last night, so it's back to work today, blood test, chemo tomorrow, yuck. But it did me a world of good.
Mel, I am sorry you have surgery looming but it is certainly not as scary or difficult, in my mind, as chemo. You will do fine, and it will be good to cross it off your list!
Have a good day all.
Melia -
I have not checked in for a few days because I have not been feeling great - it's been the sinus infection/pressure headache that seems to never end. I was taking Tylenol 3's for the pain, but I think they were making me nauseous and not really doing much. I called the onc. yesterday, his secretary checked with him and called me right back - he said the antibiotic (Ceftin) would take longer to kick in as my immune system was at the low point after my 6th chemo, so to give it another day or two. Easy for them to say, of course by this time - it's been about 6 days of on and off headache - I have gotten myself into a tither and am thinking brain mets... So I call my GP's office, the sec. there puts me right through to her, and she was very comforting and said basically what the onc. said, but hearing it straight from her was good. She also told me to get some Nasonex (a prescription nasal spray) and to stop taking the Tylenol 3 - she thinks I really need Advil but the onc. doesn't want me to have it, so I went to just 2 extra strength Tylenols every 4 -6 hours.
I woke up today okay, keeping my fingers crossed that the headache is gone. I am going down to the hospital today for my pre-Herceptin MUGA scan at 1:45, if that headache comes back I will just march myself up to my onc.'s office and demand to be seen.
On a happier note, my younger daughter Cassie was in Victoria this past weekend with DH checking out the university and the fine arts program of creative writing/journalism she go accepted into - and after telling us she is absolutely certain she wanted to go there, it turns out the program is not focused enough on journalism for her - so she changed her mind and accepted the offer from Ryerson University, right here in downtown Toronto ... needless to say, I am beyond thrilled. We will still put her into residence, as it would take her over an hour to get downtown in the mornings, and we want her to have the university experience - but this is a huge weight off my shoulders.
caya
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