The Chemosabe March Cruise

Bettye - I start taking Tylenol Arthritis the night I get my Neulasta shot and continue around the clock for three or four days. It has really helped me with all of my side effects. Plus, many take a Claritin before the shot to help with SEs as it is believed that the SEs are an allergic reaction. I already take Allegra for allergies, so don't do this step. I have found that my side effects have become less with each tx. I am not sure if it is because my body is getting used to it or I am just more prepared for what is to come.
Neulasta gives me the sore skin and achiness on my neck and shoulders, too, Rosebud.

Well, last treatment is done -- but those words aren't having any effect yet. Maybe it will sink in after 2 weeks when I don't have to go back!

For now, I've got a bunch of doctor/test appointments to line up -- dentist, OB/Gyn, another MUGA scan. I was happy to hear that I'd get an automatic referral for 3 visits to a lymphedema therapist to learn preventive measures and exercises.

rosebud: What a nice thing to say about the clinical trial! It's funny, but today I got offered another one. People with bone mets are often treated with biophosphates, the same drugs that are used for osteoporosis, such as Boniva and Zometa. There have been some small studies with women with early stage BC that show delay or prevention of bone mets with these drugs, so now they've started a large-scale clinical trial. I don't have all the information about the trial, but since bone mets are the most common metastasis, and I am hormone receptor negative and node postitive, thus running a higher risk of mets, it sounded kind of appealing. However, everyone who does the trial has to have a dental exam for gum disease because there's a small risk of a very creepy side effect -- necrosis of the jaw bone. I have a history of gum disease, root canals, and even an artificial bone implant so I'm thinking I'm a risky candidate. I have a very good periodontist who is on top of research, so I'll see what he says.

I agree with you on the chemo -- we just go ahead with the best of what they have to offer and do everything we can with the latest knowledge. More than 30 years ago, one of my husband's students was in a clinical trial for osteosarcoma in his leg, which was a sure killer back then. He was in the group treated with a new drug, Adriamycin. Those kids were the first survivors of osteosarcoma -- he's 47 and healthy today.

Nancy: Sorry to hear your blood counts are down -- I know how that can wipe you out. I hope you feel better soon and the numbers move up fast.

playwright: Had to laugh at your dialogue even though the subject wasn't fun. Nice job!

BettyeE: Good to hear you are finally on the upswing. Just think, after the next treatment you'll be halfway done with the FEC. Have you talked with your docs about using Neupogen instead of Neulasta? You have to have 5 injections, but that way they can experiment with using a lower dose. I think Jacque had some good suggestions about meds to take, too.

Jacque: Thanks for the med tips -- I'm going to try them this time. I didn't have any problem with the Neulasta until I started Taxol. Oh well, only one more Neulasta shot to go.

3boys: Waiting is just horrible. I'll be sending good thoughts your way over this next week or so while you wait to hear and hoping for the best possible outcome.

No more???..WOOHOO..congrads!!!!!! I hope you stick around with us for awhile. Hate to lose the ladies we have come to know. But anyway..WTG!!!!

Good morning ladies,
I have my wrap off while I get ready to go to my LT this morning and thought I would type while it's easy!

Dawn, so sorry you are having such lympho problems. I hope you are getting them under control. I had chemo yesterday, too. Hope yours went well. Here is a pic of my arm wrapped.



Kennie, I am just now getting my sleeve ordered. I had to get a special one because I have a tiny wrist and a hamhock upper arm. It should be here in two weeks. That will make things easier. I haven't been wrapping my trunk and now I am pink all the way down to my waist on the side. My LT is fussing at me. I have a girlfriend coming for the weekend, so I will have her wrap me for three nights. LOL The things I put her through! I'll take the note about housework, but I don't have anyone to turn it in to. My dog, maybe. Hope you're doing better on the Tamoxifen.

Terri,

I love the beach pics! I am green with jealousy. We lived at VA Beach for nine years and spent so much time at the ocean or the bay. I absolutely love the beach. Glad you got to get together with some bc sisters. Real life interaction is great. I may go to the Relay for Life Rally tonight and try to get my out of shape hulk of a body around for the survivor's lap.

BTW, getting sent to the other cancer center was so not cool... I agree with you!

Maxie,

I was so shocked and outraged to read your long post about the Muga and the onc and all. Oh my goodness! It definitely sounds like he was protecting the trials instead of you. I admire your level-headedness in not quitting the trail in a rage. As if having cancer is not enough on our plates, we get all these other little diddies added as garnishment.

The new trial you're being offered sounds very interesting... thanks also for sharing the story about the boys who had such success on their trial. Very inspirational.

Hope you're enjoying swimming. I need to swim.... orders from my LT! May I come with you?

Angel, Did you find out about your breast and underarm pain yet? That's great that you don't have to do rads. Maybe you can start to feel somewhat normal soon. Keep us posted.

Rosebud, thanks for posting that scripture. Hearing/reading God's Word always gives me a lift and helps get my eyes in the right direction.

Holly, I am thinking of you as you have your last tx today. You have had such a rough road, but been a real trooper. I had #7 of 8 yesterday and I can't wait to ring that bell next time. [My cancer center has a bell folks get to ring on their way out from last chemo.] Here's hoping your day will go well and your se will forget to attack this time.

Jacque, I had to laugh about your lille boy onc. It's funny how very young everyone is starting to look at times. Hopefully, all that knowledge he needs is fresh in his new little mind. I know you'll miss your onc. Mine is very pleasant, but I don't feel attached to her like I do with my BS.

Jill, congrats on your last tx today. I'll be doing a year of Herceptin with you! I haven't had energy either!! Hang in there and keep us updated.

Nancy, I, too, think the world of the ladies here and count myself blessed to be with this group. I'm sure all the other groups are wonderful, but this one is ours.
I hope you're feeling better. We get so used to you keeping us up to snuff with everyone that we may forget that you're actually suffering, too. Your positive attitude is always encouraging.

Bettyee, I amn so sorry to hear you had such horrible se with the FEC. That sounds so scary, too. Did you not get the Neulasta with the Taxol? I get bone pain from Neulasta, but nothing that severe. Here's hoping this was a fluke and your next three will go better.

3boysforme,
Please let us know your outcome from the MRI and all the info on your upcoming surgery. I just had a friend get the MRI and her lump had shrunk from 6.9 cm to 1.5. She is waiting to see her BS now to find out about surgery.

Lisa, it looked like your dog avatar was barking that No Mo CheMo chant. I'll be joining in that howl real soon!


Thanks for all the birhtday wishes for my son. He is really a sweetie. My older son has a birthday tomorrow and he is turning 26. Here they are.... left side is younger one....



Eek, I am late! bye!

Miss S

Hello everyone,
I did my last chemo today...woohoo....couldn't have gotten through this journey without all of you....do we have to move off the group now casue we're finished? I was hoping I could stay on through the 6 weeks of rads....

The only complication today is it took 4 tires to find a working vein. The poor nurse got really frazzled and had to go on a break after me....She was successful in blowing out 3 veins - I mean huge, puffy swelling in each spot with lovely bruising... none of it matters now cause it is over.

I did meet a woman in my support group that was dx 10 years ago and is now back with a recurrence...isn't this everyone's dread fear...no way I can go through all this again....

Sending out my love and thanks to all of you.....

-H

I'm off today to show our car at the Race For The Cure Car Show. They are having the walk/run but I can't so the car is doing it for me..LOL I'll post pics later. AND!!! Congrads again and again to the lucky ones done! Please don't leave our cruise. But if you feel that's the next step for you to heal , then by all means do so. I'll be sticking around for awhile. Hugs all around..rosebud

Good Morning all!!!!!

Big congratulations and high fives to all those completing chemo this week…..HollyHopes, Maxgirl, and Jillrush!!!!!!! I’m so happy for you girls!!!! So how many does that make that have completed this leg? I think Keenie is finished, am I correct? Anyone else?

Hope all of you will stay around….y’all can just set in the deck chairs and
offer us encouragement or play a little shuffle board. I’m on to Herceptin for a year so will be here for awhile so would love to have the company.

MissS….nice looking boys…no I should say men….do they look like you? That wrapping looks pretty hot and bothersome. I hate that you are having to go through that. I am seeing a LT and we are working with exercises…she thinks I might be experiencing edema from cording and not lymphdema (wouldn’t that be wonderful). She has also given me quite a bit of literature that says a good exercise program can decrease reacurrance of bc by 50%, ( guess I need to get my big fat butt up off the couch and start walking more).

Bettye…hope things are going along okay with you and that you are feeling better.

Maxgirl…nice story about your husband’s student….thank you for sharing. Hated to hear about your Muga ....you wonder sometime what were they thinking.

Thanks Jill for the scripture…..one of my favorites and I’ve read it so many times during this journey.

Rosebud….hope you have a wonderful time at the car show today! We have a ’78 MGB that we show occasionally but mostly enjoy driving around looking cool!

I have no one scheduled for the bar next week…..if I’ve missed someone please let me know.

Hope each of you has a wonderful blessed weekend!
Nancy

OH good....I want us to stay together....I've been reading the RADS board to see what I'm getting into...but I want to go through the next step with all of you...thanks for not throwing me overboard!!

Nancy, I've still got surgery to come - a bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction and probably soon thereafter a bilat. oophorectomy (ovaries). My oncologist wants me to wait 8 weeks after completion of chemo before this surgery begins. It will probably take that long to get approved for a competent (ie.- out of Kaiser) DIEP surgeon.
Barring any pathology surprises at mastectomy, I won't be having rads.
I'm triple negative and therefore no hormone or Herceptin treatment ahead.

I had a NAP today. This may not seem so earth-shattering, but I simply do NOT nap. Never have in my adulthood, even with 4 or 5 hours of avg. sleep per night when I was working and wanted to desperately.I'm one of those who could be exhausted and still just lie there.
Now I have napped three times during this chemo era. But this was this first one with NO pharmaceutical assistance. I just got up at 7:30, did some non-strenuous morning chores and then conked out from 11-12:30. I'm so proud of myself. I know, it's silly. But I'm sure my body is grateful.

Lisa

Here's my life, in a nutshell - I'm the nut!

Have completed 11/16 rads - done this Friday, June 22!
Have just started Tamoxifen - will be on for two years then re-assess to see if I'm in menopause

Christine

Tx #5 is wednesday, my last one will be 7/11, and then I'll start 6 weeks of rads, but I'm going to put off the start of rads until after school starts 8/15. I want to have a few weeks of normalcy with the girls....
I agree, I plan on checking in with the cruisers even after rads are over. It would be too big of a shame to let this bond we have go by the wayside.
I have this cool little devotional book called "Praying Through Cancer", and one of the verses in there is Job 23:10 -- "But He knows the way that I take, when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."
I like that one, because it reminds me of God's sovereignty.
love and blessings to you all
terri

Hi Terri,
What a great verse! I think you're wise waiting until after the summer break to start your rads. I'm finding that I'm starting to feel the fatigue - I could have had a nap (hey Lisa!!) today, but I stayed up to enjoy the sunshine.
Hope your tx goes well on Wednesday. We'll be praying!
Christine

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These where taken at The Race for The cure. One is my car club the Road Rodz and the other is on weird bald girl just dancing with anyone who would rub her head..lol. It's me just having a good time. Hugs all around..rosebud

sending out love and prayers for those who are sailing this week....i am in the throes of the yucky days post chemo but feel like i can get through anything since my last and final tx (please dear God, let it be my last) was on the 15th. i am having a lot of problems with anxiety which is difficult for me to control...everything seems to be worrying me - from kids to house to job to finances, to health...

trying to stay centered and just remember to breathe.....

Hello fellow cruisers!
I know it's been awhile since I posted - I've been so busy I've only had time to read and check in on all of you, not post. I want to congratulate ALL OF YOU who are now FINISHED with chemo! My last taxol is June 28, and I am counting down the hours until it is OVER! I have been one of the fortunate ones who has not had really terrible SE's, and I have been living life to the fullest! Just this month we went to OC, MD for a wedding, then NYC for a bus trip to benefit our Relay for Life team, then Waynesboro, VA for a P. Buckley Moss Society birthday gala, now this weekend I am going to Rehoboth Beach DE with my DD and beautiful granddaughters to visit my parents. In the meantime I have been having lunches and dinners with friends, organizing our Relay team (the Relay is July 13-14), attending support group meeting, visiting at work, and having a yard sale with my DD (remind me NEVER to do that again!) as well as dogsitting my grand-doggy who had to have surgery to have a fish hook removed from her belly! I thank God every day that He has given me the strength to remain active during this whole ordeal. I will be returning to work on August 1 and am not looking forward to that - I don't know how it will fit in with my busy schedule! I found out that I will be having rads, but will not start until after our family vacation in September. I was initially told that rads would not be needed - had bilateral mast with TRAM reconstruction - but after surgery, with 5.1 tumor size, 2 pos nodes, ER/PR+ HER2-, stage 3 it was determined that my recurrance rate can change from my current 15-20% to 5-7% with rads, so who am I to say no?? It took me awhile to get my head around it, but I'm OK now. I am so happy to hear that everyone plans to remain on this love boat even after chemo is over - I have come to love all of you and feel a connection with you all that I don't have with anyone else. You are all in my prayers every day, and I will continue to ask God to help us all through this - we CAN and WILL do it, girls!! I just got a great new book form the patient advocate at my onc office - her name is Lynn Eib and this is her 3rd book. This one is called "He Cares" and is an annotated New Testament dedicated to cancer patients - because Lynn is a colon cancer survivor. For encouragement and inspiration, as well as the knowledge that He has walked this road before us and is paving our way, I highly recommend it. So, although I am not doing individual shout outs, please know I am keeping up with each and every one of you........