Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

I know Jan....I got a bit choked up myself.  So lovely, and I am so happy that it all seems to have gone off without a hitch.  When do you go for yours?

YAY, Lynn!!!!!!  Thanks, George!  I am so relieved all went well.  I've had enough drama for the week!

She is going to be so thrilled w/her results.  Plenty of painkillers in the interim, I suggest!

XOXO LYNN!

Tina - the little one is Sarah

So relieved Lynn made it through, that was a tear jerker of an email! It's amazing how close we've become via computers. Just think if it was 20 years ago, we would be facing this all alone.

Joni, I worry so about you, I hope you feel better.

Viddie, I should take a vitamin, why I never think of it?

Mel, I usually take the synthroid and tamoxifen together first thing in the AM then about 11 ish I take the effexor. My dentist wants me to take these pills that are really scary for my bad tooth it is medrol dosepak. Under the impression its a steroid. Blech!! Not sure where to fit them in. The 1st day is 6 pills 2 @ breakfast, 1 @ lunch and dinner and 2 @ bedtime. then the next day is 5 pills, then 4, then 3, 2 and 1 for a week. What do you know if anything about this drug?

Plus I have taken hoards of advil to the point my stomach hurts. After this Friday, I should be in financial shape to get the root canal.

Lynn, so glad all has gone well! I've also been on the praying and sending good thoughts mission today.

Joni, hope you can get in to see the onc sooner than Friday. Maybe you can be put on the cancelation list? Sending healing prayers for you, too!

Tina, hope you are continuing to regain strength.

My DD who has been my main companion while I've recovered has been nice enough to share her upper respiratory infection with me. I've been sneezing and snottin' up a storm. Ugh. I need to watch this as two years ago I got something that lasted 3 months. I don't want to go through that again. I don't know how strong my immune systerm is right now for me to fight this off. Buggers.

Another storm is bearing down. The main portion of ice is supposed to be south of here but I'm prepared for a bad day tomorrow. More books, food and a blanket to nap with. As long as the roads are clear by Thursday so I can go see my GYN for my annual exam. I want to talk to him about the Tamoxifen, get his words of wisdom.

Time to go pull on my PJs and get cozy for the night. Maybe I can get a dog or two to snuggle with me.

Hugs from Iowa for everyone!

Cindy 

Big yay on the news of Lynn's successful operation! Thanks George and Rebecca for passing that on. Lynn you mean the world to us, as well. Just focus on your healing right now, we know you will be back with us soon. And we will want to hear all about the girls.



Viddie how was your lunch? Did it cheer you up as hoped?



Joni, I'm so sorry to hear you are still in such pain. I would think your onc would get you in sooner seeing how you are suffering with it, and get it figured out! If it's a little better, as you said, we can hope that it keeps improving. Let us know when you do get that appointment, we will all be waiting for that with you! Hang in there dear sister!



I had my Herceptin today and saw the onc. I was telling him about Dr. Clapper's costochondritis diagnosis and describing my arm pain and how I thought it was at least partially referred from the costo, and then I noticed he was laughing so hard he was almost falling off his stool, because he said I was explaining it to him like I was the doctor and he was the patient. But he agreed with Dr. Clapper and added that HERCEPTIN can bring on costochondritis! He said it's something he has observed over the years in his patients but the Herceptin makers won't acknowledge it. And when I think about it, April was when I started Herceptin and also when the extreme tenderness started, and it does get worse each time I get an infusion. Learn something new every day!



Also, Tina, you might be interested that my Echo score was 55, much lower than the 71 MUGA score I had last month. So he said the discrepancy between them is too great, and I have to get another MUGA now to see why! He is keeping a very close eye on my heart function due to the Herceptin. Viddie and Caya, I hope you are both being monitored closely too.



I also was told again today that it can take 1-2 years from END of treatment to get our old energy back and not to be discouraged if I still need naps and can't do it all yet. I offer that to anyone else (Mary, Melia?) who like me still needs some official backup for allowing ourselves some slack right now. I am a fine one to talk, I came home from my infusion today and did two back-to-back web radio shows. So I am going to bed early and feeling a-ok about it. - Skye

Meant to say you and I simul-posted. Guess I do need to get to bed.

Such good news about Lynn - I hope her recovery continues to go smoothly.  Thanks, Rebecca, for posting, and George, for sending Rebecca the message (and for being such a good partner for our Lynn). 

 Nancy, I'll doublecheck your meds tomorrow and let you know.  Don't be afraid of the medrol dosepak.  It is steroids, but doesn't usually have the strong effect that the steroids we got during chemo did - at least not in my experience.  Sometimes it is just the ticket to decrease your discomfort.

Yeah for Lynn, what a relief. And a terrific email from George as well. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful group of women. Do not know how I could've gotten through all this alone.

I saw the breast surgeon yesterday for a follow-up. Apparently I will be seeing her every 6 months from now on. She said my scar is really "ropey" and to rub vitamin E oil on it nightly to try to loosen it up. She said plastic surgeons swear by it. I will have to give it as try as I have really noticed it since radiation. She said that's very common.

I will have a right breast digital mammo in 6 months. I guess they only do the full mammo/MRI  annually. It did make me wonder why just one breast. For all my moaning about not wanting scans, I think I would prefer to have them both done. I will have to trust she knows what she's doing. But as these appointments get fewer and farther between, I imagine I will get more and more nervous that something's brewing that they won't catch.

I have a friend who just hit the 5 year mark and only sees someone once a year. She said it's kind of unnerving to be set free like that.

Work is fine but really busy. I am a special ed teacher (I think I've mentioned this before) and in addition to teaching 5 classes, I am case manager for 26. This means I have to do extensive testing, write individual learning plans and quarterly progress reports, and have big, annual meetings for all of them.

I have some kids this year who are really involved and so I have had so spend lots of time putting out fires. I feel like my feet never touch the ground and I am spent by the time I get home. I really don't feel as if I am 100% yet and reading all of your posts, makes me realize I am not alone. I so want to be 100% though and it is discouraging to say the least. I am really looking forward to Christmas break. Still haven't even touched the surface of my shopping list though. The internet has become my best friend for gifts.

Okay, off to get the girls ready for school. Have a good day everyone.

Amera

Joni, thinking about you today.  When do you see your doc to get the results of your scans?  And how are you doing with your scansiety?  I'm hoping it is just degeneration due to age and arthritis.  Sometimes your scans will light up if you've had previous damage to the area - like my foot does.  Anyway, keep us informed.  Lynn, hope you're having a good day.  I need to get off to work - have to be there in 30 min. and am still in my jammies!

Joni, percocet does not have codeine in it, but it IS a narcotic.  If you speak to someone in pain management I am sure they would help you find an appropriate medication.  Please call soon....you should not be suffering and in pain.  Gentle hugs to you.

I tried to log onto the chat room tonight and a note came up saying that because the room had not been used for 10 days, it automatically gets deleted.  And being pretty tech challenged, I have no idea what to do - Jan, you are our resident expert - can you provide some insight?

Sharon - happy that it's just fibroids. Amazing what we are happy with now.

Amera - Between your girls and your students, and the 26 cases you are managing - you are one very busy woman. Don't be too hard on yourself - I think it's going to be a long time before we feel 100%.

Tina and Lynn - Hope you are feeling well today.  You too Joni.

I did not do too much today. I mixed up a triple batch of choc. chip cookie dough and put it in the fridge and will bake them tomorrow.  I find the cookies hold their shape better if the dough is cold. The chest/shoulder/back pain is still there, on & off so I took 2 percosets at about 7:00 tonight, and I feel better.  Sometimes I can't believe how much medication I am on,but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. I take Effexor in the a.m. at breakfast, along with glucosmine/chondroitin, a multi vitamin, a diuretic, calcium/magnesium.  In the afternoon I take a Vitamin D (1000), then at dinner Tamoxifen, another glucosmine/chondroitin, and another calcium/magnesium.  And the past few days percosets when I need to.  And a sleeping pill almost every night.  And the occasional Atiman. OY!!

Hi, gang~

I just wanted to ask about

1) the chat room but I see it isn't up? I can't find my email with the info. If we get another chat place established will someone send me the info so maybe I can participate if I ever think of it.

2) I did not receive the info on the book discussion site. Is that going forward?

The big storm that was to come through here last night mostly stayed south. We had about 1/2 inch of ice and another 1/2 inch of slush/snow. But we kept our power and no tree limbs downed here.  Yea!  

Hey Amera, I used Vitamin E oil on my first mastectomy scar and it's nearly invisible now. I'm using it on the new incision and it's looking really good, too. I'm a convert to the healing properties of Vit. E. My surgeon was the one who instructed me to use it twice a day after the steri-strips came off.

I do think it's time to soak in the tub for awhile. A hot tub is very enticing on a cold night like tonight.

waving from Iowa.......

Cindy 

Good Morning All,

Caya, glad the pain is lessening. I fell a couple of years ago on a hike, and could not believe how much it hurt. I remember picking my little kids up when they fell, brushing them off, and telling them they were fine. But it HURTS to fall!

Sharon, keep us posted on the fibroids. What a drag, but thank God that's all they are.

Mel, after looking at your schedule for the day, no wonder you ache all over!  You are probably pushing yourself too hard, and your job is so physical that I am sure it is exhausting. I have a desk job and come home at night zonked most of the time. I work, go to the gym if at all possible, come home, cook dinner, and that's it. I get so cranky if there are too many errands to run. Last weekend my husband went one way and I went the other in the hopes of polishing off xmas buying. I got so tired I had to sit down on a bench for a bit. Never had that happen before. Yesterday was one year since surgery, and of course I have come a long way, but I move slowly, am stiff, and tire easily. And any ache freaks me out.

Caya, I actually bought one of those pill organizers. Another sign of age, I guess, never thought I would need one. I take two diuretics still, three potassium, a multi vitamin, and two condroitin glucosamine. If I don't use the organizer, I cannot remember what I have taken.

Sleep is still an issue. Those of you who suggested ambien; is that a perscription?  If so, do any of the over the counter drugs work?  I sleep great if I take ativan, but I don't feel like I should take it every night. It's amazing what can go through my head at 2 am.

Hope everyone has a good day. Tina, please rest. Lynn, hope you are doing well. Joni, do you have an appt for Friday?

Melia

I set up a new chat room this morning and emailed invitations to your personal email addresses. If you don't get the invitation just send me your email address by private message (don't post it here) and I'll get an invite out to you.

Also, if anyone else needs the info for the book discussion site, let me know.

Tina - I can't beleive you went to HM. I'm glad you enjoyed it. You should win mom of the year for that one.