Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Gee, I leave for one day to have a chemotini and look at all the chatter!  Welcome to all the new Jewels!

Carol - D1 is right....you are awesome.  I agree with her though about adding something for shipping.  Maybe those that can afford it can give a little extra to cover someone if they can't.  Not trying to offend but "money is funny and change is strange".

Kimberly- That poem was absolutely fantastic.  I will be keeping that one and putting it up on my bulletin board.  Hope your chemo went ok today.

As for my first treatment...all went well.  Minor glitch at the CT scan (receptionist with an attitude) but otherwise, everyone was wonderful.  My CT scan was clear so no sign of spreading anywhere.

I am feeling fine except a little foggy headed (slight headache).  Have eaten a little bit and still ok.  Going to keep taking the anti nausea at least for a couple of days? just to be sure.  If anyone knows if I should go longer, please let me know.  I have received more valuable information from the girls here than from anywhere.  Thanks to all!

Have a good night Jewels.  Hope the steroids don't keep me wired all night.

Wow, we certainly are a chatty group.



D1/OLE and CarolC- Thank you for the compliment on my poetic musings.
D1 - Lump...in Little Frankenboob? Could it be scar tissue? Getting it checked out is obviously the right thing...but question? Did you have a PET scan or Breast MRI? If I didn't have those, my surgeon stated they never would have known about the other two tumors I had. My mammo caught only one...and the ultrasound found it no problem...but when I asked that the Dr. do my underarm the ultrasound scan didn't catch the tumor under my arm because it didn't know exactly where to locate it, since it didn't show up on my initial mammo. The PET showed the other two...on at 7:30 and one in the axillary. The breast MRI confirmed the original tumor and the one at 7:30, but couldn't see the one under the arm because it couldn't see under my arms the way they positioned me. The surgeon stated that without those two tests, I would have had a lumpectomy. She felt the underarm tumor as soon as she knew where to locate it, but she had to press in pretty far to feel it. So, just want to make sure you were clear that your surgeon can only go by what info they are given...not that a second opinion isn't always a good option...just wanted to give the surgeon the benefit of the doubt.



Hope your daughter has a good game tonight.



Carol- You rock... I'll check out the website, then PM my order. I agree with D1/OLE that we need to include shipping and handling fees, so sending extra is a good idea. Sorry you're feeling under the weather...hope you are back in good form for Thursday.



Vettegal-Glad to hear that you're reconsidering your work schedule. I'm just over a month out from surgery and still am shocked at how tired and sore my arms get. Where I had nodes removed took until about now to be able to lift that arm enough to really clean and shave....not that you'll be shaving with an inicision yet, but deodorant on either side of it should be OK. I agree about the washcloth and antibacterial soap helping to get any crusties taken care of...gently. Sorry to hear that you too are suffering from a cold or flu. Take care of yourself.



Welcome Deb3Girls and Jenn 51- Carol as noted is not thrilled you had to join us, but happy to have some company on the Herceptin train. This is a wonderful group...you'll get so much out of it.



CathyCA- Doesn't it feel great to finally have a plan? Not that you still won't have anxiety moments, but this has to be a big relief to at least have a direction.



OK, now my news. Hope Deb did as well as I've seemed to do so far .

Well, I made everyone smile with my Supergirl Cape and martini glass. The nurses filled my glass 6 times (keeping hydrated is good...get that chemical mix out of the system as soon as possible) while I was there, and other commented on my glass and how they wanted a chemotini too. HeeHee. I took about 2 hours and 45 minutes to get through my chemical mixture, so not too bad. Terrie, my older sister, was with me first half until about noon, and Kathleen, my twin, did the second half...they didn't have room for two guests at one time.



So far...no SEs to report, though I don't think they'll kick in until day 3 if they are going to this round. The Neulasta shot tomorrow has its own SE's to contend with...but, personally I've signed on for the no SE's plan.



I love you guys...thanks for your positive, wonderfully encouraging, and humorous responses.

Your SIS

Kimberly

PS Good luck to all of you starting treatments or getting ports placed this week. Kathy L, I'm
thinking about your Dad and tomorrow's heart surgery.

Hey Jewels, just me again with regards to shipping costs on those T-shirts.  I'll look up on the UPS site to check shipping costs.  I can't imagine it could be much, I'll weigh one of my t-shirts to get an idea.  Thanks for the input so far, I'm making a list and before ordering will post who is on it ...  Night for now, still have the nose full and it seems worse in the evening, Carol

PS, Kimberly cool, no se's gotta like that.

Good morning Jewels!  Hope everyone is feeling well today-- all the chemo-tini effects and all our general illnesses.  Wish I could be everyone's personal nurse-- it would take my mind off things!  I'm here at work and of course my mind isn't here at all-- thinking of all the JJs and my dad who should be in OR as I type for his open heart bypass.

D1:  I've also added Deb3girls to my paper list.  I saw she's joined us and wanted to make sure you caught that.  Hope you are doing well today and everyone's good posts have lifted you up some.

Golfer (Carol):  I so think I'll be asking for Ativan or Xanax when I see my onc Tuesday, the day before I start round1.  Thanks for reminding me!

Deb:  So glad to hear round 1 went well!  I was told to take antinausea meds (I got Zofran since I'm allergic to Compazine), for 2-3 days after chemo.  I say go for it all so the SEs have no chance to get you!

Kimberly: our poet laureate!  Loved the latest one.  Someday when your book's famous i can say I knew you when...  I loved the martini glass idea while at chemo.  Hope you don't mind if I borrow it next week!  I'll give you credit of course   Glad to hear your round 1 went well so far, too.  Keep going strong!  And thanks for thinking of my dad.  He's loving the stories I tell him about our group and has been inspired to take on the same positive energy we all have I think.

DanaC:  I get my port Monday and will share all the details if you'd like.  I was told the entire thing takes about 1/2 hr.  I'm going outpt. surgery with MAC (kinds like twilight) anesthesia.  My surgeon likes that just so I don't move and she says she has to push on me some... if I'm under I won't mind (yeah, until later on when I feel that bruise!).  The Herceptin is generally given for a year total.  Sometimes it's started right on day one with chemo depending on what you get (I'm doing this), other times it's started later on and that's why treatment can be over one year total.  They do not like to give herceptin with other cardiotoxic drugs-- like Adriamycin, so if that's in your cards, the herceptin will be given after that drug is done and the treatment time will be over one year.  Hope that all made sense.  Herceptin is not chemo, it's considered a targeted biological agent and it does not cause all the bad SEs (like n/v , hair loss, anemia, leukopenia, etc.) of chemo.  I hear it mostly makes you feel flu-like for a day afterwards, and can give a fever sometimes.  The biggest problem with herceptin is it can cause heart problems, so a MUGA scan or other test for cardiac function is done before you start and also a few times during the year you're on it.

Catch all you ladies later.  I guess I gotta get to work now!

Hi Dana,

The Herceptin is for a year, but since it doesn't start until I've finished two months of AC, the total is 14 months.  As the onc explained it, Herceptin isn't a chemo therapy.  However, it is administered via IV, so the port will stay in even after the Taxol phase (12 weeks) is finished.

I had to have my lumpectomy re-excised to get better margins, so the port was put in at that time.  I was under, so don't know how long it took for the port portion.  The port itself is by the collarbone, so it's still a little uncomfortable when my bra strap or seat belt shoulder harness hit it.  I see the surgeon again today, so am going to ask if that eventually goes away.  I have these plastic bands that are used to turn a regular bra into more of a halter-style, so am wearing those to try to keep the bra strap directly off the port.

I'll try to answer any other questions, but I'm still pretty new at this myself.

WVgirl -- for mouth sores, the sheet I received from the oncologist said to gargle with baking soda and salt.  However, it also said to call the doctor, so maybe it's worth putting in a call to just to check.

Work is slow right now, so I keep popping in...

WVgirl:  I heard the same as CathyCA about the baking soda rinses-- start the day of chemo and do every day 4-6 times until all chemo is done (a few months).  The "recipe" I posted somewhere above on this thread.  Let me know if you can't find it, or PM me.  Someone else also mentioned Biotene rinse.  I got that and the toothpaste ready to go.  I think I'll be rinsing all day!

Amy:  Welcome!  Sorry you are now one of the "sisters".  The BC Club sucks.  But this group is another story-- we're awesome and you'll get lots of tips, support, love here!  So visit often   From what I've been reading on this thread from some of the girls, maybe no love lost over not doing Neulasta (neu-nasty as we call it here).  I hate needles, but I've already decided if I need something I'm asking about neupogen shots!  I've added you to our list, and D1 (our leader) will put you on the list at the start of the thread.  Do you have a port for your treatments?

Good Morning Jewels!

Kimberly - I have had no SE's except for some head fog and a small headache.  I  had a lean cuisine for dinner and it went well.  I am nibbling on crackers today and just had half of a blueberry bagel with butter.  Still doing ok.  I am only taking Zofran and whatever was in the IV yesterday.  The steroid in the IV was also the only that I have had.  One think I have noticed is that my face is a little red today and I am usually pale as a fish belly.  I am not getting the Neulasta or Neupogen right now.  I think she said I would only get that if my blood work dropped.  Sometimes I feel like I am just waiting for the next shoe to drop yet hoping it doesn't happen, ya know?  So glad you are doing well.  Just have to lay of the spicy food I guess.  My taste buds seem to be a little off but I am still drinking my coffee.

I like the biotene toothpaste and found the gum at Walgreens.  My mouth doesn't seem to be too dry as of yet.  Trying to keep drinking water.  Need to hit the fiber though.

Well, I am at work but will try to catch up later.

Good morning/evening/twilight ladies  !

First, I want to thank everyone (all y'all, in Southern speak) for your kind words about the biopsy results. I saw my onco yesterday and he echoed many of the things you said (I told him, please "spin" these results for me ). HER2-NEU is still pending, it initially came in at 2+ but the onco says 70% of those end up as Negative upon final FISH testing. So, we'll see ... I should know Friday (when I go in for Neulasta #2).

Thanks too for the well wishes for Chemo #2. I think I'm less apprehensive about it, but still a little bit anxious. I hope it continues to knock down these tumors ... the onco. said he definitely sees/feels shrinkage on the axillary one, and on the primary tumor too. He also said it's generally not until infusion #3 that he sees that kind of response, so the observation about HR negative tumors being very responsive to chemo certainly seems to bear truth.

I offer my slightly belated "welcome" to the new members of the Jan. Jewels. Sorry you had to join us, but this is a good group to belong to. These ladies are fighters and winners ! 

Ok, lots of work to do today, take care all, best of luck to D1 on her #2 too and anyone else nearing their treatments. 

  

JJ,

Hi everyone.  Just updating feeling better just a little tired and getting quissyness once in while.  Nothing really taste good, metal tasting in my mouth, so I am careful as to what I eat to get protein etc. already have lost 6 lbs since October and probably another 2 lbs since last week,  (I was probably over by about 20lbs so maybe one good thing) I did get a bag of steriods, anti nausea medicine with my chemo on Jan 3 to keep my appetite up but obviously not helping, I do push myself though to eat 6 small meals, with snacks etc.....My Dr has prescribed blood pressure medicine since sunday and will keep me on that, has help me to feel better, IMAGINE THAT MIGHT BLOOD PRESSURE COULD BE UP .  Welcome to all the New JJ and Love everyone stopping in for the support, care and concern.

Az Donna

I'm not sure who was talking about moth sores but the nurse told me to suck on ice cubes. On the day of chemo and a few days after, she said the cold help with keeping the sores away. I did it and didn't get any sores but it was my first treatment.

Hello JJ's,

Boy D1 you really got something started here on this post.  As much as none of us would really like to be part of this, we seem to be growing by leaps and bounds.  Its pretty cool to see ladies poppping in from other monthly groups, especially to hear they have finished up their txt and are doing well. 

Deb, great news on your clean CT.  I'm glad that you are not experiencing any nausea se's.  I liked your idea of lean cuisines.  My dh has been asking me if I've thought of what we may want to have on hand in the house.  I think I'll hit the store today and pick up some "bland" style meals.  If there are se's I would hate for my dh to help with preparing meals and then have me not want to eat.

Kimberly, okay, no more minnestroni soup for a while.   Hoping that your meds aide with the slight nausea.   Also, I can just imagine you in your chemo chair with your "tini" glass.  You crack my up!!!! 

CathyCA, I'll take some of your fiber ideas to the store today as well.  Keep those ideas coming...never had to worry about "that" problem until the past events occured. 

KathyL, remember the ice chips too during your drip.  I'm planning on ice, biotene, salt, bakiing soda, yada, yada, whatever it takes.  I already started swishing the biotene wash and the toothpaste isn't bad.

LJ13, great news on your tumor shrinkage.  Are you doing what they call neoadjuvant therapy?  Its got to be a morale booster to have those results within a couple txts. 

Amy, welcome to the house of Jewels, looks like you start on Friday.  I don't know about you but the jittery feeling is lurking on and off again with me.  I've been fiddling around with this darn cold, but the onc office said no reason to postpone chemo tomorrow.

I bet you'll be giving yourself a shot without anxiety before you know it.  You hang in there, and check in often, these ladies are awesome.

Taking my snot nose to the pharmacy, picking up my EMLA numbing cream for the port ... tomorrow cannot come soon enough, I'm ready to get this party started, 

Carol

Jewels, one more T-shirt note...

I spoke to the print shop, the sizing chart seems kinda strange, so I asked to have it explained in "english"...  you basically look at the body width column, which is measured from the armpits seam to seam.  You would double that for bust size, for example 18 body width (small) would be a 36 bust size and she reiterated that they are 100 cotton and will shrink so order one size larger than you might think.  Hope I'm not making a mountain out of a mole hill!!!! 

I say order big, easier to shrink than stretch it out!!!!  There is already eleven of us that will be sportin' the FUBC proud!!!!

Carol

PS Took the tape measure to my busted up bust line, that was a first!!!

A few more fiber ideas -- Mission Tortillas has a Carb Balance Tortilla with 11 grams of fiber per tortilla.  Weight Watchers ice cream bars (the cookies and cream kind) have four grams of fiber.  Beans are always a good source of fiber.  If you aren't familiar with it, there is a website called www.thedailyplate.com that will let you look up a lot of foods to see the label content.  Saves time at the grocery store standing around looking at labels.

Jenn -- I saw the surgeon today and she said HER2+ is better than being triple negative, so was also happy that my status had changed.  The onc yesterday said Herceptin is probably the biggest advance in breast cancer in 20 years, so here's hoping it works great for us.

I have had long (waist length) hair for more years than I care to count.  I went and had it cut short today and ordered a shoulder length wig for when it falls out in a couple weeks.  While it seemed very strange to see all that hair fall on the floor, I'm glad I chose to do it that way vs. having it fall out in big, long hunks.  The wig store will buzz my head as soon as it starts falling out and have the final fitting on the wig that same day.