Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

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  • Mizsissy
    Mizsissy Member Posts: 371
    edited January 2008

    Just checkin in to say hello...was a little confused too about the emails, but it was nice to hear from yall.

    Jan, congratulations on your new body...enjoy your first bra..!!

    Sorry to hear about the job losses.  I live in Michigan and we've lost 100s of thousands of jobs in the past few years.   Houses for sale everywhere, property values down 50%...but hey, it's a great time to find bargains at resale shops...Laughing

    When is the Las Vegas trip?  Like where is the money coming from for all the gambling?$5354@!$$$??Wink...I've never gambled in my life (except on horses)..Miz

  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited January 2008

    Yes, Nancy, we did have sun today.  Thank God.  We all know how sun or the lack thereof affects my spirits.  But after reading the temps in Joni's area, I see I don't have it too rough.

    Joni, my dr's talked about Lupron or Zoladex but I bowed out of it because I hate shots.  They said it wasn't as bad as SNB but more so than Aranesp (for low red count).  That was like a bee sting.  Anyway, now that I didn't get my hysterectomy, they may revisit that subject.  What I haven't been able to find out is this:  w/my heart trouble, keeping my ovaries is now a good thing.  If I do Lupron or Zoladex, will I lose the heart benefit of having my ovaries?  I'm thinking I will lose the benefit but I was told otherwise by someone (dr. or nurse) but I'm certain they misunderstood my question.  I will be curious to hear how they go for you and am glad to hear that down the road you can get the shots less frequently.

    Caya, the boss I spoke about earlier IS a lawyer.  They get you betw. a rock and a hard place in this company, i.e. if you want severance you play their way...even if you had a contract.

    Rebecca, I'm glad you put the ball back in your court no matter how you did it, answering machine, carrier pigeon...whatever.  Who needs to be pushed around... 

    Kids have a two hour delay in the am so we can sleep in a little.  Tonight Jaclyn had PSR (formerly known as CCD...Catholic religious classes) and she was ripped because it was the schools rollerskate party.  She already missed one class this month due to Disney...they are so judgemental there, I'm afraid they'll toss her out of the 1st Communion ceremony in May if she missed any more, so I made her go.

  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited January 2008

    Hey Ladies,

    Sorry Tina to hear about the second boss' firing. I guess making a mil makes you a tempting target. I think you made the right decision for Jac, she'll have tons more school parties but only one First Communion.



    Nancy it sounds like you are in a better place regarding the dh job situation but the tooth extraction...hellish! I'm making my best turtle face of sympathy right now except it's real because I've been through that and every other dental torture. Did your Lhasa stay alone while you took Big Dog for a walk? Most Lhasas despise being alone. Grendel goes into panic mode if we leave the room.



    Jan, I think your body is just asking you to lie there and heal. Again so good to hear from you. Lynn, it's so interesting to hear your comparisons. Our forum working at its best!



    Rebecca, good for you girl with the doctor call! And no, no word on the biopsy yet. I admit I am cravenly going along with their slowness because I am dreading the needle in my spine. As my oldest ds said the first time he saw an elephant close up at the zoo, "No vont it! No vont it!"



    I had a busy day, freaked out all morning trying to put up a new web site for the radio, then had to quick write something and send a batch of stuff to a publisher, then had a reception in another town for a university art show I'm in. I got home at 7 exhausted although the reception was lovely. And today I had a melt down when DS2 told me he lost my library card. I just burst into tears; it seemed too hard with everything else to have to go get a new one. So he looked a little deeper and found it in his car. He has not seen me cry many times in his life but I think it did him good.



    Bad weather coming the next 2 days. I think this is the longest winter ever!

    Skye



  • meliaanne
    meliaanne Member Posts: 682
    edited January 2008

    Tina and Nancy, I am sorry that you are dealing with your dh's job stresses. Like I have said, when mine lost his job right before my diagnosis, it was very difficult psychologically. I hope it all resolves quickly for both of you.

    Jan, great to hear from you, and wonderful that the surgery went well and is behind you. I am sure seeing the girls was a huge boost.

     Funny story about them eyeing your bear!

    Rebecca, good for you for being assertive with the dr's office. You shouldn't have to deal with this ... I wish you were happier with your recon.

    Joni, how is your hip?  Good for Thor for helping you.  And Mel, how's the knee?

    My dh had a bone scan yesterday and tomorrow we meet with the patient liason, who will lay out the options. Then next week we meet with his dr, get the results of the ct and bone scans, and hopefully move forward. He is very depressed now, over the shock, feeling old and broken down. He slept most of the weekend, which is his way of dealing with emotions .... escape thru sleep. Sometimes I envy him that ability, but it was a gorgeous weekend and I kept very busy, had a nice couple of days. I sympathize with him and I told him that this is the worst time, waiting for the path reports, not knowing the next step.  It is very difficult to watch him go thru all of this.

    Ok, off to work. Valentine's Day is a tough time in the floral business, lots of cranky folks to deal with. I don't buy into the hysteria, just keep telling everyone that the sun will come up on Feb 15, take a deep breath.

    Hugs to all. Skye, keep us informed ... I know how you feel about the library card. We can do so well with big issues, and then one last tiny thing will just bring it all down.

    Melia

  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited January 2008

    Oh, Melia...  I can only imagine how hard it is for you to watch him go through this.  I can recall cringing when one of my oldest friends needed one of those biopsies where they put that metal tag inside your breast.  She's a Hodgkins survivor so her BC risk is upped.  I was so dreading hearing bad results.  Fortunately, she was OK.  I was suprised at how worried I was though...  I think it's because we know what people have to go through.  It's easier for us to draw on that strength that we never knew we had.  I guess it's because we worry that the other person may not be able to do the same.  Or, it's like we've gone through it almost on autopilot as a survival mechanism and only now do we really see how difficult it was.

    Skye, I always lose my library card.  I just show my drivers license, which, by the way, is still a Florida one.  I never got an OH DL.  They must be very trusting around here.

  • Nancyab
    Nancyab Member Posts: 276
    edited January 2008

    Skye, Lizzie was angry at me but Laura's yorkie is the worse. She'll yip and yap all day long. The "girls" just had been groomed and I didn't want them muddy. But they usually go too.

    I am home from work today, my cheek is swollen and bruised. I am icing it 20 mins on 20 off. Feels good when I'm flashing!

    Ugly day today, back to grey and rainy.

    Melia, I'm sure your DH is processing and it is very hard to watch. Like them we want to "fix" things too. Extra prayers are being said for you and him.

  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited January 2008

    Melia, it's sort of a blessing that your dh was able to sleep all weekend rather than staying awake and anxious. Probably good for his body too. I hope he passes the bone and CT scans with flying colors and can get on to the treatment.



    Nancy I had a feeling you would have a mad Lhasa there. :-) Grendel did something amazing today. We have a play yard with five sides that is supposed to be able to contain much larger breeds. I had put him in it for a few minutes so I could work without having my shoelaces untied and before I knew it, he was out! Nate and I put him back in and watched him jump until he could get his forearms over the top and then scootch his rear up and over, the little bugger. Now nothing is safe. He will have to go in the crate when we leave.



    Tina you DO have trusting librarians. Ours here are very, very strict and kind of mean.



    Another day and no biopsy scheduled. - Skye

  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited January 2008

    Melia, it's sort of a blessing that your dh was able to sleep all weekend rather than staying awake and anxious. Probably good for his body too. I hope he passes the bone and CT scans with flying colors and can get on to the treatment.



    Nancy I had a feeling you would have a mad Lhasa there. :-) Grendel did something amazing today. We have a play yard with five sides that is supposed to be able to contain much larger breeds. I had put him in it for a few minutes so I could work without having my shoelaces untied and before I knew it, he was out! Nate and I put him back in and watched him jump until he could get his forearms over the top and then scootch his rear up and over, the little bugger. Now nothing is safe. He will have to go in the crate when we leave.



    Tina you DO have trusting librarians. Ours here are very, very strict and kind of mean.



    Another day and no biopsy scheduled. - Skye

  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited January 2008
    Here is DS2 with Grendel the Mogwai
    Nate and Grendel
  • mer1957
    mer1957 Member Posts: 534
    edited January 2008

    Joni, so sorry you are going through all of this.  Do you know why they had you on Arimidex rather than Tamoxifen? 

    Jan, glad you like your new body.  I just can't do any surgery.  It's not worth it to me so I'll stick with my Bosom Buddy.

    Tina, apparently in TX you better get a license within 30 days or they consider that you are illegally driving.  I guess they are more liberal in the Midwest.  I think Alexandria sounds lovely.  Speaking of religious ed, I got my son and his fiancee to sign up for their marriage prep weekend at the church.  Then they have to take a test, get evaluated, etc.  I am very pro-religion but I can see how this can be annoying especially with a couple who live in different states and are getting married in a third.  Luckily we have a lot of time to get this all worked out.  The church is my area of expertise so as mother of the groom, I can keep busy with that.  I'm sneaking into a wedding there this Sat to take a look at flowers and how it is set up. 

    Melia, keeping your family close to my heart.

    Hugs to all

  • mer1957
    mer1957 Member Posts: 534
    edited January 2008

    P.S.  Grendel is so cute!

  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited January 2008

    Yes, Skye, yet another cute pic. of Grendel.  He looks like a Gremlin to me instead, adorable/mischevious.

    Mary, I had forgotten about that required premarital counseling session.  I'm surprised they require that for people in diff. states.  After all these years, I'm surprised they don't have an online course.  :)  I did a lot of wedding snooping prior to my wedding, too, looking at flowers, checking out DJ's, bands.  Of course, I got to see a ton of weddings while I was a cocktail waittress at the country club in my city...I did that weekend nights through college.  One of my most favorite arrangements was my cousins:  she had purple/blue hydrangea arrangements on each table.  Boy, was that gorgeous!

  • Rebecca
    Rebecca Member Posts: 971
    edited January 2008

    LOLing at "wedding snooping"  I can not shake the image of a covert operation with Mary sneaking in, and sidling along the walls while whispering into her phone headset to DH in the van outside. tee hee.

    When I got married I had only the vaguest idea of what a wedding was even like, since I had only been a guest at one or two (I was the first in my family and among my peers to get hitched).  I just kind of did it on the fly....compared to some weddings that I have been to since it was very minimalist, but I loved it.  It was simple, elegant, and did not require anyone to take a second mortgage to pay for it.  

    My dad came to visit me yesterday, which was very nice.  I do not get to see him very much even though he does not live that far away.  He is retired, but he seems to be even busier in retirement than he was before.  go figure.  anyway, he told me that after my sister's wedding, he was approached by A LOT of people (he stressed this when he told me the story) who were very surprised at my appearance, smile, and ability to boogie.  I guess they assumed that since I had cancer I would be frail, hairless and miserable even though I have been out of treatment for quite some time.  People really do have some strange misconceptions....I thought that this was kind of funny given some comments like this earlier on our thread (I think it was Skye).  I guess it must be a universal...people who do not "know" assume that once you are diagnosed and treated for cancer that you wind up spending the rest of your life looking like a patient.  

    I guess I proved A LOT of people wrong, all at once on January 4 as I walked down the aisle in front of my sister, and then proceeded to dance the night away. 

  • jonimb
    jonimb Member Posts: 900
    edited January 2008

    Well I'm off to get my Zoladex shot, fill out the forms for that study, and have my radiation simulation.  I'm not sure if they give me a zap today or not.  Dan is coming with me, because it is still frigidly cold here.  Right now it is -31 C and that isn't including the wind chill.  The other reason he has to come is because my walking has really deteriorated. 

    The highway is clear, so that is one good thing.

    Hugs to all...Joni

  • Lynn12
    Lynn12 Member Posts: 1,008
    edited January 2008

    Joni, good luck today.  I'm glad Dan is with you since you have some new things going on!  Hopefully the rads will ease your pain...are you taking any pain meds for that?  After my DIEP I took Dilaudid which didn't give me any sleepy/high feeling. 

    Hugs,

    Lynn

  • Robbin65
    Robbin65 Member Posts: 251
    edited January 2008

    I STARTED MY PERIOD THIS MORNING.

    WHOO HOOO

    I WAS STARTING TO WONDER...Sealed

    11 MONTHS AFTER MY LAST PERIOD

    10 MONTHS AFTER MY LAST CHEMO

    ABOUT FRICKEN TIME.

    YAY!  I'M SYKED.

  • jonimb
    jonimb Member Posts: 900
    edited January 2008

    Hi all,

    Had my Zoladex shot....the girl froze the area on my tummy with ice, and then told me to close my eyes as the needle is so long.  Then she says we're done....I thought she was joking, I never felt a thing!!! 

    Then went and met with Jessica who's heading up the study.  They actually test your saliva 4 times a day you have to take swabs.  These will be used to determine stress levels.   I will find out next week which group I'm in.  Radiation only, Radiation with Acupuncture, or Radiation with Meditation.

    After that it was off to my rads simulation, so I now have 4 new tattoos!!  Once again, they didn't do butterflies.    I wil be having 10 treatments, and they will be starting sometime next week or for sure on Feb 11.

    My radiation onc is such a great guy,he says to me, don't worry we'll get ya going in time for Stampede and some two steppin!!!

    Still very cold here but now only -22, so it's getting warmer.  Monday and Tuesday were just brutal.

    Tina, I'm so sorry about that Florida company, it sounds like they really don't know what they are doing.  To go to the expense of the interviews, the referrals, and everything tells me they're not sure what they want.   Good Luck to your DH on the next one.  Try not to worry, as it doesn't do us any good.  Hugs to you in this trying times.

    Can hardly wait for spring and warmer weather.

    Loving hugs to all.....Joni

    ps: special squeeze to Melia and DH during this time.

  • Rebecca
    Rebecca Member Posts: 971
    edited January 2008

    Joni I am glad that it all went so well. 

    Phooey on no butterflies.  Those rads techs are absolutely no fun at all! 

  • dkmaustx
    dkmaustx Member Posts: 363
    edited January 2008

    My hair must be growing because today I got my first hair cut. OK, it was only a neckline trim but it looks so much better than it did with the hair sticking out over my collar and behind my ears. It isn't as spiky as it was, but it's still doing good with the hair gel. When I'm on my trip in February maybe I'll get a good picture of it.

  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited January 2008

    Joni - glad your appointment went well.  Your rad onc. sound like my kind of guy.  My DH left Calgary this afternoon and flew to Vancouver.  He just could not believe the cold there yesterday.

    Yes Rebecca it is so true that people seem to think we are "invalids" because we had treatment.  I still get very tired the first few days after a Herceptin infusion, and I will admit here to you ladies that I can use this fatigue for an excuse not to do something or go somewhere when I just don't feel like it.  

    Skye - Grendel is adorable.  And DS2 seems to look like you.  Any biopsy news?

    Robbin - if you are happy that you have your period back, then I am happy for you.  When I had my hysterectomy 4 years ago, I was thrilled that my period days were OVER...

    Jan - Did you go home today?  Take it easy kiddo.

    Not much happening here today.  Much to my surprise I finished my big work project this morning.  Usually I do the initial calculations and then I usually have a day of revisions - but when I added up the figures it was fine.  So now I have 2 free days with not much to do - DH is away until late Friday night - so I am going to watch some of the "chick flick" movies on the Movie Channel that I pay $15/month extra for on the digital box - and get my money's worth!!

    Hope everyone is keeping warm, yes it seems like Spring is a long ways off - and Friday is only Feb. 1 - OY!

  • Lynn12
    Lynn12 Member Posts: 1,008
    edited January 2008

    I'm usually the last one to get the joke...similar to Joni about the butterflies...I had NO IDEA what you were talking about...went off to a meeting and dawn breaks over marble head...the tattos weren't pretty ones! haha  Glad it went for you today Joni!

    Caya, I hear you about it only being Feb 1...we were just talking at lunch about Feb. is the worst month of the year for us northerners...seems as if the winter is soooo long and we still have a month to go, at least in March the temp starts to warm up a bit, the sun shines longer and spring is just around the corner

  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited January 2008

    No, Lynn, I'm the last.  I had no idea what butterflies were either.  I was thinking butterfly stitches.  I knew rads didn't involve stitches, but I had no clue. 

    Robbin, you crack me up.  I am glad you're glad.  I am like Caya and wish mine didn't come back.  I certainly can't have any more kids, for a lot of reasons, my many meds being one.  So I feel like it's just a pain.  I got mine back after 3 mos. and it's as annoying as ever.

    Rebecca, good for you on getting all those compliments.  Cracks me up at your dad stressing how many people mentioned it...just goes to show how rampant the belief is that we will appear as invalids somehow.

    Joni, I am so glad the Zoladex shot was tolerable.  If I ever get one, I'll know now to close my eyes and not look at the needle because I know a long needle would send me into orbit.  I wonder why my idiot SNB doctor didn't use that cream on my boob.  I still SHUDDER thinking about that.

    Caya, glad your work turned out right the first time and you get some chilling time.  My DH was in NYC all last weekend and tomorrow he flies to DC for that interview....gets back Fri., so I'll have another night to myself.  I start my cardiac rehab tomorrow so that will be keeping me busy.  Got some done on wallpaper removal in Jaclyn's room today but it was BRUTAL.  I was very winded after two hours of it and had to stop.  I notice it takes me much longer to get to a normal breathing pattern now, once I get winded.  Certainly not incapacitating or anything, just something I've noted.  I called the most popular local realtor today to come and take a look here on Feb. 12.  HOPEFULLY the DH will have a job offer by then...

    Debbie, glad you are liking your haircut.  I am at yet again, a weird place w/my mop.  Still can't bring myself to cut it but I can't do a thing with it.  It's like it's someone elses hair now and I don't know how to work it.  Maybe I should trim it so it's more manageable.  If I leave the overall length, maybe I won't be bothered by it.  The grey at my temples is coming in fast and furious only six weeks after my last color.  I am wondering if I should highlight again so it isn't so obvious as it is on this solid brown color...decisions, decisions.

  • mer1957
    mer1957 Member Posts: 534
    edited January 2008

    Oh Joni, glad it went well.  Sounds like you have a good group of doctors and technicians. 

    Robbin, glad you are glad.  I'm 50 and mine never came back - yahoo!

    Very cold here too and windy.  I was praying all night that we didn't lose power with all of the big trees around here, so far so good.  We are suppose to get 6 to 10 inches of snow Thurs night.  I have an 8 am dermatologist appt right by work - that should be fun getting  there.

    Rebecca, you crack me up!  Yes I will be sneaking around the church taking pictures. 

    Tina, I agree, this hair doesn't look like mine still.  Much curlier on top than it was.  Every day it does something different.  My grey is coming back too, I have an appt in a couple of weeks for a cut and color, I think I will go lighter in shade so it isn't as noticeable. 

    Mel, how are you - hope your leg is okay.

    Tina, good luck with the realtor - you should get a couple of opinions though (from a realtor's wife's point of view, just so you have a comparison).  How long have you lived there? 

    Jan, hope you are doing well, hugs

  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited January 2008

    Hi all,



    When you miss a few days, you miss a lot!!! I read through all the posts- 2 hours later---I am a slow reader.

    Joni,

    I am so glad you are moving forward and you didn’t feel that shot. I am counting on the radiation to help you with your pain. Hugs.

    Jan,

    I am glad to hear you are feeling better and you are happy with your new look. I agree with Lynn that it takes weeks before you regain all your strength. Until then, take advantage of all the help you can get.

    Caya,

    Why does the gynocologist want you to remove your ovaries?

    Rebecca,

    Good for you. I would have done the same thing, and I would have called at night to leave a message. You do not need needless confrontation.

    Skye,

    Grendel is so adorable, as is your ds. How much COQ10 do you take? I have been taking 100 mg since I started hercepton- Apparently that is not enough for me. That is so great you have a high Muga score. Keep up the good work. Please call doctor's office tomorrow.

    Melia,

    Waiting is indeed the hardest part. Special hugs to both of you.



    Everyone else I missed, I hope you had a great day.

    I will write tomorrow and tell you about my weekend. I had a great time.



    Love,

    Viddie









  • Robbin65
    Robbin65 Member Posts: 251
    edited January 2008

    Yes, I am happy.

    I have a question. I started Tamoxifen in Oct and found out I was allergic to it.


    My ono took me off of it for a month and a half and now it's time to go see him again to see if I should retry it or take something else.

    The thing is, all the other ones are for post menapausal women.

    Anyone else in here pre menopausal and taking something else besides Tamoxifen.

    My cancer was estrogen and progestrogen positive.

    Therefore, now that my period is back I am flowing with estrogen.

    What should I do since I can't take Tamoxifen?

    What else is out there that I can take for pre menopausal women?

    Anything I can study about before I go see my ono next week?

  • IowaCindy
    IowaCindy Member Posts: 341
    edited January 2008

    Hey, gang ~

    Another frigid night in the heartland. Buggers. I want Spring!!!!

    I'm not staying long tonight. I'm too tired. I think I'm trying to catch my daughter's flu bug. 

    But I just want to share that I'm not ready to drop the 'chemobrain' excuses. Viddie, I read your comment to Caya as "Why does the gynecologist want you to move your ovaries?" I was very confused by that!

    And I've got to say that as of this week I am one year without my menstrual cycle and I could not be happier about it. I surely don't miss it.

    Robbin, I'll ask some pharmacist friends about a replacement for Tamoxifen.

    Happy Thursday, all!

    Cindy 

  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited January 2008

    Viddie - the gyn. onc. at Princess Margaret Hospital (basically the Sloan Kettering of Canada) told me that the standard of care at PMH for premenopausal BC patients who are ER+ is to take out the ovaries, which produce estrogen.  Lowers the risk of recurrence and ovarian cancer.  Recent studies have come out to support this theory.

    My breast onc. does not think it is necessary, and believe me I do not want another big surgery - we were waiting for my BRCA tests, which were negative, as if I had been positive the decision would have been a no-brainer to yank out the ovaries and take off my good boob. My breast surgeon told me last week that my chance of recurrence in the good boob is quite low - only about 5% - he said that it is more likely to recurr elsewhere in my body, if at all. 

    So I am going to talk to my breast onc. about this again, and probably schedule another appointment with the gyn. onc. for her opinion again -  Oy - more appointments...

  • Robbin65
    Robbin65 Member Posts: 251
    edited January 2008

    Thank you Cindy and anyone else whom can help!

  • jonimb
    jonimb Member Posts: 900
    edited January 2008

    Robbin,

    I had to have a Zoladex shot to put me into a chemical menopause before they will let me take Arimidex.  All the hormonal drugs with the exception of Tamoxifen require you to be in menopause.

    Let us know what your onc says.

    Hugs...Joni

  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited January 2008

    Robbin, how bad was your allergic reaction to Tamoxifen?  I know you don't want chemically induced or surgically induced menopause and I know of no other drug for premenopausal women.  I know you weren't too excited about beginning tamoxifen but I worry about you not taking anything, being ER+.  It's too much of a gamble, I think.

    Caya, that's what my onc. said too:  bigger risk of it returning elsewhere in my body than in my "good" boob.  I think when I was contemplating getting my ovaries out he made a comment to the effect of "women w/bc have a higher risk of colon cancer" and the unsaid part was would I consider removing my colon...certainly not.  He was def. against my potential hysterectomy.  In retrospect, I have to think things happen for reasons and maybe my emergency on the surgical table was meant to be as I need these ovaries/estrogen for the heart benefit.  Boy, isn't everyone so tired of contemplating all the what if's and decisions we continue to have to make...

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