Starting Chemo in May 07

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  • ucancallmered
    ucancallmered Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2007
    Sheree--I'll be thinking about you and your family.

    Mandy--love your signature!

    Suzanne
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  • lizzzy
    lizzzy Member Posts: 285
    edited June 2007

    Sheree, That must be terrifying. I am so sorry and I wish your family all the best.

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  • PDXLeeAnne
    PDXLeeAnne Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2007
    Oh Sheree, your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sending you huge cyber hugs... keep us posted, k?

    LeeAnne
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  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 419
    edited June 2007
    omg Sheree,,,,,,,,,,,,I am truly sorry to hear that. Your entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep positive ok?
    Cindy
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  • aimster1123
    aimster1123 Member Posts: 200
    edited July 2007
    Sheree,

    I will pray for you and for your son. Would you be willing to share his name? It just helps me when I pray. And if you have anything specific you would like prayer for, just say the word. Wish I could be there to give you the hugs you need, too.

    Amy
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  • chemo072
    chemo072 Member Posts: 682
    edited July 2007
    Sheree - Heartfelt prayers for your son, that this brain tumor be just a small bump in the road, that it be easily overcome...

    Taxol #1 update: Had hand-foot syndrome (swelling and burning/red hands and feet) but it seems to be going away! YAY!!! It helps so much that one of my oldest friends is here, cooking and insisting on doing all my dishes. (As can't wear dish gloves and hot water will exacerbate hand itching etc.)

    + arm and leg and joint bone pain. Dilaudid every 3 hours....miserable, not sure what to do besides wait it out.

    Still queasy & taking kytril but it seems dealable....and not as bad as A/C.

    But all in all this isn't as bad as A/C - I still feel poisoned, but less so. And this being treatment #5 of 8 - that homestretch is tantalizingly in sight. I can do this.
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  • lizzzy
    lizzzy Member Posts: 285
    edited July 2007
    I'm glad to hear the taxol is easier overall, although the symptoms you describe sound quite bothersome.

    Yay for the homestretch!!!
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  • sunshine123
    sunshine123 Member Posts: 31
    edited July 2007
    Sherree--

    I am SO sorry to read this news about your son. It must feel overwhelming to try to deal with your diagnosis as well as his...I can't imagine how hard this time must be.

    I just want you to know that I am praying for you and for him, and trusting that God will give you the grace to get through this time.

    Hang in there. Big hugs from us all...

    sarah
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  • ocinny414
    ocinny414 Member Posts: 123
    edited July 2007
    Sherree,
    You and your son are in my prayers as well.

    Cytoxin/Taxotere treatement 4 today. I'm feeling well so far. A little tired but have had a busy few days.

    I moved yesterday with lots of help from my wonderful neighbor men, son and mom. They love me so much. LOL Took 3 pickup trucks to move everything and I still have one small load when I go back over to visit for the 4th.

    It's official, my daughter is coming tomorrow. I sure hope I feel well enough to make the 3 hour drive with mom to go pick her up from the airport. I guess I can sleep all the way there. She will be here until August 7th. Wow not sure what all we are going to do other than get to know each other again. Its been 2 years since I've seen her.
    I don't have interent service at my new house yet. So I'm checking my email etc at moms every evening. Need to save up some extra money then I'll have my own internet.
    Have a great week and hope everyones 4th of July is awsome.
    CindyKS
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  • aimster1123
    aimster1123 Member Posts: 200
    edited July 2007
    Hi everybody,

    Just checking in. I'm in my good phase, so I'm just enjoying food and being able to have a little more energy. I still get tired more easily, but it's definitely doable, especially compared with the week after treatment.

    Lillie (our 4-year-old)'s adoption day is tomorrow! We always have a little celebration and give them a small present, usually a book.

    Hope everybody has a great 4th,

    Amy
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  • kimvidito
    kimvidito Member Posts: 105
    edited July 2007
    Hi Sherry
    I am so sorry to hear about your son. I have a sick son too and it is so difficult to go through this and a sick child. I am more apt to taking care of my son than myself. It's hard not too when you are a mother. I hope everything goes well and all of my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    Kim
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  • katymom
    katymom Member Posts: 141
    edited July 2007
    You are in my prayers....I haven't been on the board as much lately so I just learned about your son....hope all is well......

    Katymom
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  • NeoPat
    NeoPat Member Posts: 102
    edited July 2007
    Hi, everyone. I hope that everyone has a good 4th of July.

    I had my 4th (and last) dd A/C treatment yesterday. I still feel good today, just a bit tired. As bad as the side effects get this time, I will remember that it is the last time.

    Then it will be on to 4 Taxol, but new side effects.

    Pat
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2007
    Hi everyone,

    How is it going this week so far?

    Happy 4th of July to my Amercian sisters!!

    I got my 4th of 6 treatments yesterday. It was touch and go because my neutrophils were low on Friday when I saw the onc. but they bounced back up yesterday morning - so I am still on schedule!!!! (Yay! My whole summer and vacation is planned around my chemo schedule so I decided early on that I would have NO DELAYS - not that I have any control over this!!)

    The tx itself went well - no problems with a vein and I was in and out in only 2.5 hours (last time took 4 hours!) The nurse was excellent - my arm isn't even sore today from where the IV was!! I wish I could request him everytime! I don't even have a bruise!

    Last night sucked though. I was feeling fine - went to my kid's soccer games which were way across town and it was the drive home that did me in. I came home and wrapped myself around the toilet for about an hour then dragged myself to bed and proceeded to sleep for about 10 hours!! I felt okay emotionally though (unlike last tx where I was a wreck) Today, I feel a little fragile but am making myself go into work as I am on deadline and HAVE to get some stuff done! I may only work for about 2 hours - certainly not a full day!

    I am still waiting for those buffs to arrive!!! I think I may have to give them a call because that was over 2 weeks ago when I crossed into the world of cool!

    My positives;
    1. No vein problems yesterday!
    2. I had an amazing weekend camping (it was a long weekend for us Canucks)the weather was perfect, the lakes was peacefuil and the company (my family and extended fmaily) was superb! I love hanging out with pelicans, beavers, bats - you name it!
    3. The weather here is fantastic - so nice to smell that summer air!
    4. I have only 2 more chemos to go!!!
    5. I am booking a hot air balloon flight for 2 weeks form now that I am sharing with my 2 young cousins (18 and 21) They just graduated from high school and college and this is one of my gifts to them - can't wait to float above the city! (Ironically, I have a severe fear of flying though!!)

    Well, everyone - hope all is well in your world.
    Take care,
    Mandy
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  • mmilko
    mmilko Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2007

    Sherry, sorry to hear about your son. I recall from very, very, very early in this discussion board that you had lost your job (correct me if I have you mixed up with someone else), and insurance coverage was an issue. I hope you have that one figured out and that your son is covered. Added prayers for both of you!

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  • PDXLeeAnne
    PDXLeeAnne Member Posts: 119
    edited July 2007
    A happy 4th to the other Americans. I am REALLY dragging from last Thursday's chemo. I'm almost a week out and I am still on the couch. It was my last A/C, so here's hoping that Taxol will be easier. The fatigue is incredible. At the oddest moments (like putting on mascara!) I will be hit with a wave of weakness and have to lay down. I'm battling feeling a little depressed, as Blues Fest is going on, it's going to be 90 today, and I don't think I can manage to go. I think I might pass out just walking to the festival from the car, yk? It's just too much for me today. My kids are with their dad on his boat (yeah for them) and everyone is off doing family stuff and here I am... laying on the couch... again! Holidays can be difficult as a single parent anyway... this just adds to it. Whine whine whine.

    What I have to make myself remember is that this is temporary. And this is nothing compared to what some of you are going through with your own health and that of your families. But still. I am not accepting gracefully this couch-bound existence.

    Hugs,
    LeeAnne
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  • aimster1123
    aimster1123 Member Posts: 200
    edited July 2007
    LeeAnne,

    Whine away!! That's what we're here for.

    I'm just eating and eating and eating!!! It's so fun!! I love it how everything tastes NORMAL.

    I have a question and I'm wondering if you guys have any thoughts on this. Given my reaction to my first 3 chemos and how hideous the whole experience has been, I'm definitely developing a very yucky association with the chemo room and the 4-hour process of getting it dripped in. I've tried several different options for what to do during that time, but each time (and progressively more so) I feel SO jittery and freaked out while I'm sitting there. I've sat by myself and tried to read mags (tx1), had someone with me--worst option (tx2) and watched a DVD (tx3). Can you think of anything else I can try? Should I get a ridiculously funny DVD? I think the DVD option was the best, but I still ended up with my heart pounding about half-way through the 4 hours, even as I sat and watched the movie. Any ideas are appreciated!

    Amy
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  • aimster1123
    aimster1123 Member Posts: 200
    edited July 2007

    One more thought--if you guys have titles for gut-splittingly funny DVDs I might try that...

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  • PDXLeeAnne
    PDXLeeAnne Member Posts: 119
    edited July 2007
    It sort of depends on your taste in funny movies but here are some ideas:

    Zoolander, Dodgeball, Napoleon Dynamite, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Muriel's Wedding, For Your Consideration, Spinal Tap, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, How to Lose A Guy in Ten Days (Matthew McConnahey -yummy!).

    How about renting Sex in the City? I always find that amusing, no matter how much I watch it. If you haven't seen season 1 of Weeds, that's a good show too.

    I'm moving from the couch to a chaise lounge in the shade... woohoo, could life be more exciting? A girlfriend is bringing over food and Italian soda for me and will hang out for the day, so all is not lost...

    This too shall pass this too shall pass this too shall pass

    LeeAnne
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2007
    LeeAnne - I am so sorry that you couldn't do Bluesfest - I know how much you were looking forward to that...there's no way around this - it just SUCKS supremely. I'm glad that a friend is stopping by to make the day less depressing for you. I think from what I've read that Taxol isn't as debillitating as A/C - there is no nausea and I think less fatigue. I hope it goes much better for you than the A/C.

    Amy - I sooo know what you mean about the anxiety with the chemo room. I was really dreading this last tx (yesterday) as I nearly had a panic attack just walking into the building (and I haven't had anywhere near as bad a time as you have!) I found that DVD's are the best - I espoecially like the funny ones because obviously they make me laugh! I agree with a lot of LeeAnne's suggestions and have a few of my own to add:

    Silly funny movies:
    Rat Race
    Nacho Libre
    Kingpin
    Kung Pow - Enter the Fist

    Funny TV series:
    Family Guy
    Simpsons
    Seinfeld

    Older funny movies:
    Big Trouble in Little China
    Planes, Trains and Automobiles

    I am sure there are many more that I'm forgetting - good luck to you!

    By the way, I forgot to mention that I gained another 4 lbs since my 3rd treatment! I am so depressed about this -my clothes still barely fit but I feel like a sausage stuffed into them, I have pretty much zero self esteem! I have gained about 18 lbs since this chemo...I just don't get it! Doc. blames steroids and says not to worry but come on???? I can't imagine what I'd weigh if I weren't exercising regulary!! I met a lady in chemo yesterday who gained 7lbs in one week! (She was still skinny) She said her friend gained 75lbs during her chemo treatment (!) Still, I have 2 treatmens to go and do not want to gain anymore weight so I am living on veggies and fruits - whatever my tummy and mouth can tolerate (oh and a little chocolate too!)

    Take care,
    Mandy
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  • aimster1123
    aimster1123 Member Posts: 200
    edited July 2007
    Hey girls,

    Awesome movie ideas! LeeAnne, we must have similar tastes--I loved Zoolander, Spinal Tap and Best in Show. Zoolander reminded me of Ben Stiller, so I looked up his filmography. Has anybody seen "Meet the Parents"? I thought maybe that would be good. What about "Legally Blonde"? Good, or dumb? I might rent a Hitchcock, too--those always keep my attention AND crack me up.

    Amy
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  • PDXLeeAnne
    PDXLeeAnne Member Posts: 119
    edited July 2007
    Legally Blond is cute, so is Sweet Home Alabama. I tried to watch Meet the Fockers, but couldn't get into it. Never have tried to watch Meet the Parents but I think a lot of people enjoy it.

    If you like Spinal Tap and Best in Show you will love For Your Consideration. Same people. I watched it right after chemo and all I can really remember is Irv the Foot Long Wiener. My mom and I both laughed a lot!

    Oh oh oh, if you haven't seen Arrested Development I guess that's a pretty funny show you can rent. I have that on my to watch list.

    The fireworks around my house are SO loud right now that my dog is going ballistic! I took 2 Ativans (a first for me) but she keeps waking me up... hence the reason I'm online. Truly a little hellish at the moment... reminder for next year to have ear plugs so I can drown her out!

    LeeAnne
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  • chumfry
    chumfry Member Posts: 642
    edited July 2007
    My vote for really funny movies goes to "Over the Hedge," an animated film in which a hyperactive squirrel steals the show. In the extras, there's a short called "Hammy's Boomerang Adventure" that makes me laugh and laugh!

    I also think "Grosse Point Blank" is very funny, in a dark kind of way. It has John Cusack as a professional hit man coming home for his 10-year class reunion. In addition to the humor (which is all played straight), there are a lot of things getting shot and blown up, which might be especially suitable for the chemo room.
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  • NeoPat
    NeoPat Member Posts: 102
    edited July 2007
    LeeAnne, I was really fatigued after my 3rd A/C and just had my 4th on Tuesday. I so understand what you mean about it. I had to cancel just about everything fun. Luckily, I was okay for my sister's wedding, but if it had been the weekend before, I would not have been able to go. I hope that you have your energy back soon.

    Pat
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  • kimvidito
    kimvidito Member Posts: 105
    edited July 2007
    Hi everyone
    Going for my final FEC today. I am nervous and hadn't been at all since I started. My stomach already hurts just thinking about that red juice. It gives me the worst feelings.
    As far as funny movies, Bruce almighty is really funny. If you like Jim Carrey. He is so silly in this movie also in Liar Liar. LOL.
    My positives. 1. My son got a great review from the editor on his novel that will be published in the fall.
    2. My daughter had great marks in her report card.
    3. My brother called last night OMG and is coming to visit me next week. He was very sympathetic to me needs. PUT A MARK ON THE WALL.
    Wish me luck. After this 3 taxol TX and I'm done.
    prayers out to all of you
    KIM
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  • lizzzy
    lizzzy Member Posts: 285
    edited July 2007
    Hope everyone is doing well today and enjoyed their 4th or at least got some rest. I know it's hard with all the noise. I've gotten in the habit of staying up watching t.v. until midnight. Too tired to do anything else, but not tired enough to go to sleep. Good news is I was able to visit a neighbor for a barbeque yesterday and enjoyed some good food and getting to know neighbors. They are very supportive and have had cancer hit their own family several times so very understanding.

    It's day 8 from treatment 3, so I'm feeling pretty good. Going to go get my cbc's now.

    Best to all.
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  • Bernadine
    Bernadine Member Posts: 49
    edited July 2007
    Hi everyone,haven't post for a while but Sorry to here about your son ShereeFL hope everything going well for him and will pray for all of you.

    I finish with FEC and started Taxotere on tuesday I feel good and no sideeffect so far,I was so sick with FEC that I was expexting something with this one but nothing,went shopping yesterday and cleaning today but they say day 4 and 5 so I'm waiting for something.But I still have that football under my arm think it will never go away.

    Hope everything goes well for everybody who's going for treatment this week...
    -----------------------
    IDC 3.2cm er/pr+,stage1,grade2,her/2-,mast9/3,19nodes-
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2007
    Morning ladies,
    How is everyone feeling today?

    Kim - how did your last FEC go? I hope the "red juice" was easy on your tummy this time! Oh and Congratulations about your son's book review - you must be SOOO proud!

    Nadola - how is that "football"? Has your doc checked it out? Good on you for no SE's with the Taxol!!

    Liz, Pat and LeeAnne - hope you are all doing well with lots of energy returning!

    CindyMN - I think Over the Hedge is a really clever movie and the statements about food are so bang on! Hammy is clearly the funniest character!

    Amy - so nice to hear that you're on the mend and you go ahead and eat all you want! (This from someone who has gained 18lbs so far!!!) It sounds like the last tx went so much better for you than the first ones - thank goodness!

    I am 3 days post tx and this time only took one decadron (other than what was given in my IV during tx). Does anyone have muscle pain after they come off the drugs? I feel like someone beat me with a shovel beginning in my jaws, cheeks, back of my head and by the end of about 2 days, it actually works it's way down to my legs. (I had the same thing after surgery, after my kidney stone attacks and sometimes even with a hangover!) I guess that's how my body processes poison!! (needless to say those hangovers are few and far between now!)

    Well, I hope we all have a great weekend (hard to believe it's here again!!)
    Take care,
    Mandy
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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited July 2007
    I just started Taxotere yesterday. I got a massive headache almost immediately and then they slowed the drip and it went away. I feel more nauseas (sp? You'd think I'd know how to spell that word) today than with the other stuff (They didn't give me Emend) but no aches yet. I'll let y'all know.
    Only two more to go and I am done!!!!!!!!!
    : ) Traci
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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited July 2007
    Has anyone heard from Lou in Sydney? I searched and her last post was on 5/31......
    I was just curious because we had so much....in common.
    Thanks, Traci
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