The Chemosabe March Cruise

Oh, Jacque - this is great news from your oncologist! I am sure he knows your 'spots' after four years. And how cool that he will be back next time you go in for tx. It sounds like you have a special connection with this doc.
Melissa - glad you checked in, girl! See, it only took seeing your LAST TIME in Nancy's post to remind you of how far you've come. I certainly began experiencing more difficult SE's and a bit of a funk right about where you are in tx. and the encouragement of these ladies has really been a boost.
Holyy - what a turnaround you have had these last couple of weeks! Hearing you're "feeling great - able to do most things" made me grin. You had some tough times, so you earned this bit of GREAT! I'm one of the Chemosabe Cruisers not having rads. I think the plan is to keep this thread and our little community going right here, while some stop off to work on their 'tans' ashore over in the rads thread, too. Just as we have some sisters who still will be having infusions for months to come, and I'll be having some big surgeries. Different itineraries and shore excursions - same cruise.
Christine - you've got real hair growing already?!? Cool!
Max - I haven't lost my eyebrows either (maybe 50% left), but like you, they are doing weird stuff. Not grey - almost as though they have lost their pigmentation and seem almost clear Glad to hear your fatigue is lifting. May you have several good weeks before the rads fatigue sets in! I'm also encouraged that your neuropathy is slowly dminishing. I am counting on mine doing the same.
Angel - I'm looking to Christmas, too as my goal for having enough hair to 'show'. Wish I got the same cleaning and cooking bug that you do right after trmt. I come home and crash! I do admit that Day #2 remains productive thanks to all the drugs.
Diana - how's that funk you were enduring? I saw a therapist for the first time today and it was mostly information-gathering. See the psychopharmacologist next week to start trying to find an RX that might work with my resistant brain chemistry. I think I am just a smidge better - didn't cry yesterday or so far today.

BTW - my BiL is still in ICU. My poor sister is there from before 7am until 10 at night, trying to encourage a cranky, frustrated, non-compliant DH to do what he needs to do to get outta there. She is a SAINT.

Lisa

Jacque, I'm so happy you got to talk to your onc and he had good news for you. I'm sorry you rad tech was being lazy and caused you so much concern. Just keep plugging along and know that we are all praying for you.

Whitecotten...I am so happy that you are about to finish this chemo journey....you've had it tuff. Just think when you go to bed Wednesday night you will be DONE!!!!. Prayers being sent you way for few se's.

Rosebud...we'll be waiting to see you dancing, singing and shouting tomorrow. Hope things go well!

Lisa, looks like the news continues to improve with your BIL. I do feel sorry for your sister,,,,men are such babies when they're sick. I'm happy that you are feeling better!

Christine, how long have you been out of tx....wondering when I should start looking for hair?

Playwriter....where are you?

A late Happy Canada Day to our northern cruisers!

Angel: Looks like we were posting at the same time the other day. Congratulations on that last tx! Now we want to see you doing the Snoopy Happy Dance.

Did the Dr. say why you had to wait 5-6 weeks to get on the treadmill? I've been trying to do 10 mins a day just to get myself started -- hope I'm not doing anything wrong.

Holly: Wow -- what a turnaround. It's wonderful to hear you sounding so strong.

White Cotton -- I was also asked about being in the bone strengthening study, but after looking up the SEs for the meds they would prescribe, I decided not to sign up. Many women who take the drugs for osteoporosis have a lot of complaints about them. You may still want to join the study -- certainly not everyone has these SEs -- but I'd urge you to get some more information.

And congrats on finally hitting that last treatment!!

Keenie: Did you have your last treatment the first week in June? I got some new hair after the A/C, then it seemed to stop. Now I've got just enough to make my scalp look a little darker, and some stray blonde or grey hairs about 1/8 inch long.

Jacque: What reassuring news from your regular onc -- hope the confirmation comes through quickly.

Lisa: I hope that between the therapist and the psychopharmacologist that you get some relief from the depression. You've got enough to deal with without that dark cloud bugging you.

I guess the good news about your BIL is that he's feeling well enough to be a cranky patient. Always a good sign!

rosebud: Good luck tomorrow! Your performance of the Happy Dance is scheduled for 7 pm.

Christine
I am pre menopausal. Since I am er - and pr - I am not able to take any hormone therapy. This is why the doc thinks this study would be good for me. My mom has been on the same drugs they want to give me and she seems fine. The drugs are all the same but there are three different ways to take them. One is intravenous and the other two are pills one and day or two a day. If I choose to go on the study the computer decides. Yes it has been really hard working though all this. I get staff that come over to my house and sometimes I have to work with them from my bed. geesh! I bet you are the best teacher and I am sure the kids will not take a second look at you. My daughters always said they loved there kindergarten teachers because they always smiled.
I go topless all the time. Must be a Canadian thing. lol

Jacque
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I really appreciate it. I am sure your radiologist's is just being lazy!

Lisa
Thank you for your kinds words as well. praying for your BIL and your sister.

GrammyNancy
Thanks for the prayers for no SE I will need all the prayers I can get. It has been tough but one of us had to have the rough ride and I feel honoured to be the gal that had to take it. Just glad no one else has had it as bad as I have. Taking one for the team so to speak.

Max
I have a lot of info to read on the study as well as going to the web sites to read more. I promises to read it all and make my decision wisely

Rosebud
Good luck girl! Last one!
Melissa

Everyone sounds so good! Hooray!

I have gone topless since the beginning. I did buy a wig - and it looks fine, but I feel that this is what I am going through right now and others can just deal with it if my look makes them uncomfortable! I discrovered that I have two big moles on my head which have gotten darker from the chemo... the freckles on my arms have darkened also and the creases around my ankles. Ah well...I also have the remnants of the big gash I got on the side of my head when I fell, hit the corner of the dresser in my bedroom and landed in the hospital. So - my bald head is less than perfect. I plan to go back to work on July 9th - the same day I think I start rads and will go back bald....I'm a social worker in a pediatric hospital for kids with burns. Many of them have lost their hair so it won't be an issue for my patients - may be for Administration though...we'll see!

Have folks started eating fresh fruits and veggies yet? I had been told to avoid those while my white count was down. I am longing for a salad....what about swimming in a pool or the ocean? Anyone tried that yet?

Happy 4th!

I got marked for rads today. I ended up being at the cancer center for quite a while, because I had to wait an hour to be seen and then I had to wait for the CT scan.

They drew all over my chest and taped wire down on me. Then they put me through the scan. Afterwards I got my tatts. I got three, with two of them being on my sides and one right in the middle. I have a feeling I have more to get when I go back for my first tx.

Holly, I have been eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies. So far, so good. I didn't get the Neulata shot after my last chemo, so I am probably down pretty low about now. I suppose I'll find out when I got to get my Herceptin on Thursday.

Starting Sunday, I have a week with no medical appointments and I'm thinking about leaving town. This will be my only chance for a vacation all year. I'm just not sure how much energy I have to go off alone. I'll probably either do nothing, or something very last minute. I love being spontaneous. Anyone remember that?

No one has offered me any trials. I guess lots of that stuff depends on where you live. I live in a small city. I'm not sure that I would have said yes anyway. I suppose you have to really research the offer first. I do want to say thank you to all of you who are in trials, though. I appreciate it so much!

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Miss S

Miss S I hope you get away! go for it girl.
Max I love the swimming too it makes me feel so good when my body aches. I have to confess I keep the temp and 85-88. lol I guess it is more like a hot tub.
geering up to the last chemo for tomorrow I am so so scared and so so happy. hard to really tell how I feel
melissa

Happy Day..Happy Day..No more Chemo my way!!! Stick me with a fork cause I am done ladies and I couldn't be happier!!! Had I great time and I didn't even mind the mind numbing wait. And with all said and done, I got some flowers and I'll see you in a month to start the hormone treatment.
I am half way now with my rads and it's been going well too. So far I've had some slight color (pink to red) on my breast and it's itched a little. They gave me some cortisone and told me that was super. My skin is reacting great..Yeah
Now this Friday I am off to get something out I have hate during all of this..THE PORT. I know it made all my tx easier but I hate that darn thing sitting there in my under my skin..Wish me luck and I hope everyone's last tx goes well with little or no side effect. Happy 4th of July ladies but Happy Cancer Independence Day too..rosebud

The port has ported and I'm glad. It didn't hurt except the shot. There was some tugging and such and I almost passed out but it's done and that's all that matters...Think I'll go lay down for a bit..Hugs around..rosebud

(((groan)))

I have officially finished chemo and am doing the nomochemo dance. At least as much as I can considering I am having hellacious hot flashes! I asked my onc about getting rid of the port and he said tomorrow if I wnted!!!! I am scheduled to get it out on Tuesday (7/10). I will be so glad to get rid of it. I was afraid I would have to keep it in for many more months! I am set up for my radiation simulation on 7/17 and will be starting the last week in July. Last week of rads, I start Tamoxifen. Onc said probably for 10 years to keep me in menopause. That doesn't sound fun but what the hell. Might decide to just have an oopherectomy instead! There is an end to the journey.

I pray for each and every one of us everyday.

I have hair Hugs Rosebud

Rosebud - congrats on hair! Love the pic - isn't it frustrating that the nose hair is the first to come back?

Tell us more about your daughter's wedding! Did you go dress shopping for yourself?

Angel - Skinny Farm??? Where do I sign up??

-H

Dawn: Good to see you post again -- you really have been going through a lot. Congratulations on the last tx!! Hope the SEs surprise you and go away sooner than you expect. I loved the image of the tidal wave -- perfect!

rosebud: Congratulations on finishing tx and getting the blasted port out! And thanks for the belly laugh with your pic! LOL

This week I've sprouted odd hairs in all the places where it had disappeared. The only place they've gathered together is the front of my legs -- oh, goody, I can shave again.

Patti: Welcome to the finish line! And great news on the port, too!

Angel: That would make sense to wait for the SE's to calm down before you try exercise. I couldn't have done the treadmill when I was getting the SE's from Taxol -- hurts just to think about it!