Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Hi Ladies,

Just popping in for a minute. Feeling crappy last night and today and hoping to get moving and try to make myself feel better.

Kimberly - hope you have an uneventful infusion with little se's.

D1  - I had my third round date changed to 2/18 (which I am not happy about, but oh well).

I will have to try to catch up on posts later. Have a great day everyone.

CHJ, glad you checked in. Hopefully they caught whatever it is very early and you'll be feeling good soon.

Don't worry about the Neulasta. While it hits some ladies hard, I have had 3 shots now with zero SE's. And it kicks white counts into the clouds ... I always get my counts on Tx day and can't believe some of the numbers.

I wish I were gaining my lost weight back. I'm at 98.6 lb this morning at 5'5" and that's about 8-9 lb low for me normally. I'm losing during the bad week and not quite catching up during the good week. They are saying that Taxol (my next coctail) doesn't have nausea/inappetance as a major SE, so I"m hoping that's true and I can put some lbs back on. 

Good Morning Jewels-

Miz Sissy- Thanks for dropping in and checking in on us. Your advice and support is much appreciated. And I agree...we Jewels are the best thing we could have as part of our treatment plan.



Joan- So sorry to hear about your mom being in the hospital. Did you and your family decide on if you'll place her in a care facility or continue caring for her at home when she's released? Man, it is so tough caring for your own family, but to add the care of an aging parent and bc on top of it ...WOW. I know you'll pull through all of this just fine. It is amazing how we women rise to the occasion and just do what needs to be done. You'll look back on this in 6 months or so, and think, how did I do all of that? Answer: Because you're a survivor and you've got the Jewels backing you up.



Sunshine, Judy, and Joan- The first one is the most anxiety provoking because you don't know what to expect. As KathyL stated...go back and read all the posts, take notes, and know that we're all here for you. Go kick Cancer booty!!! (((HUGS))))) for all of you. There are no sissy's here...only Sisters in Survival.



Therese- Glad to hear from you. It's been awhile. I understand that some people aren't real big 'talkers', but so glad you keep up with the posts and chime in when you feel up to it. Sorry tx 2 was such a beast, but glad you're feeling really good today. WhooHoo!



Paula- Aren't the good days...GOOD!!!! So glad you had such a great day yesterday. I'm ready to kick some cancer butt.



Carol- Thanks for answering my questions. I'll let you know what my onc says about the hysterectomy.

You'd be proud of me...got up today and did some exercises. Different kinds of leg lifts, sit ups, and stretches. I plan to do it again tonight. Good for you being able to keep that 13 pounds off. Yeah, I do think the alcohol consumption is a big calorie thing. Once I'm done, I'll have to keep it to one glass of wine instead of two with dinner when we have it.



KathyL- You and I are struggling with the same battle. I'm 154 today. I'm 5'8" and my highest weight had been 160. I want to be 140-145. I know the steriods and constipation can cause water retention, but I peed a lot last night after being on steroid am and pm yesterday. I agree we need to move more and get more excercise to facilitate our goals. I'm there to support you, girl!



PALady- Thanks for the shout out. Hope you're feeling better by the end of the day. Sometimes a walk in the fresh air does wonders.



CHJ- Eat!!!! Even when you don't want to...small meals throughout the day. A yogurt and a handful of wheat thins is a meal. Applesauce and a slice of peanut butter toast is a meal. You need your strength to keep your immune system strong.



LJ13- You're a tiny little thing aren't you. You certainly can't afford to be losing weight. Glad to hear your next treatment won't have the icky effects your AC seemed to have. I'm doing all three TAC at once, so good luck with that.



OK, so speaking of food...I need to eat so I can take my steriods, my digestive discomfort prevention meds- Pepcid AC and Gas X before treatment at 10am. I've got my cape, my chemotini glass, and my baldacioius balditude...I'm ready!!!!



SIS Kimberly

You go Kimberly !

Go kick butt girl ! 

SIS Kimberly:  LOVE the new poem!  And glad to hear round #2 went well.  The weight thing really has me irked.  I'm 5'4" and usually 120-125 pretty steadily.  I was about 125 before chemo and now I'm 129-130.  I hate it, this is my max (except when I was preggers of course) and I don't want to get any bigger.  I eat pretty well, I think my problem is I gotta move some more-- my goal this week is to get back on that damn treadmill.

CHJ: Glad you got some help from your onc. and things were taken care of before you got too bad.  I'm curious to see what my RBCs will look like next week before chemo #2.  They were low when I left the hospital, but no one seemed concerned.  I'll ask about Aranesp if they are.  Hoping I can jump on the Delmarva bandwagon with you and LJ13 with no Neulasta SEs next week!

T-shirt Lady here, hey I need a few address ... from, CarolC, Dana, Jenn51, Vettegal (Patty), and Joan.  If you'd like, you can PM to me. 

Picked up our shirts today, and I'll get them in the mail tomorrow.

Hope you all like them, I think they turned out pretty cool!!!

I'll be back later to check out the days news,  hope you day went well Kimberly!!!!

Carol

Hey Jewels,

Another good day here. Went straight from work to the basketball game and worked the gate/ concessions. Just getting home and checking in to my fav. place.

Joan- sorry to hear about your mother's hospitalization

PaLady- be patient with yourself and allow your body to rest.

CHJ- glad you caught those blood counts before you ended up in the hospital. I've had one Neulasta injection, but really haven't noticed anything at all in the way of side effects except for some muscle spasms last weekend (one week after the shot).

LJ- I sure hope Taxol is easier on your digestive system. You certainly don't have any extra weight to spare. Wish I could send you a few pounds to help you out

Kimberly- what a neat poem! I'm glad your Round 2 is a thing of the past.

KathyL- Hope you're feeling stronger every day!

Carol- thanks again for our T-Shirts

WVgirl- I am praying for you and your dh. (I almost said DH, but I figured I shouldn't use that language in a prayer, eh?)

To tomorrow's chemo warriors: Joan, Judy, Sunshine and Deb3girls.... hope your treatments go well. You'll be in our thoughts!

Nighty-night Gems!

SIS Paula

Good morning, Jewels,

I wanted to check in - vettegal, where are you?  Haven't heard from you in a few days, and wanted to make sure you are doing OK.

I thought I might try to go to work today.  I got up & showered, but am still feeling a bit weak & shaky.  Not bad, but not good enough to make the hour+ trek to the office.  Looks like it will be another lonely day working from home.  Maybe tomorrow.  But I know, I know - I shouldn't rush it!!

Take care today, everyone.

CHJ 

Good Morning

 Just checking in before work begins

Paula thanks for the support. I might just need to learn to give myself my own hugs. LOL

I am sorry you have to go through this BC Sh** with all you have to go through with your dh.

A pome to share with my SISTERS enjoy

Two Horses

Author Unknown

Just up the road from my house is a filed, whit two horses in it

From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.

But if you stop your car, or walk by,

You will notice something quite amazing....

Looking into the eye of one horse will disclose that he is blind.

His owner has chosen not to have him put down,

But has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing.

If you stand nearby and listen,

You will hear the sound of a bell.

Looking around for the source of the sound,

You will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the filed

Attached to  the horse's halter is a small bell.

It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he call follow

As you stand and watch these two friends,

You will see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse,

And that the blind horse will listen for the bell and

Then slowly walk to where the other horse is,

Trusting that he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening,

It stops occasionally and looks back.

Making sure that the blind  friend isn't  too far behind to here the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses,

God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or

Because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the

Little ringing bell of those who God places into our lives.

Other times we are the guide horse,     

Helping others to find their way....

Good friends are like that...you may not always see them,

But you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

And remember ...be kinder than necessary-everyone you meet is

Fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply, Love generously,  Care deeply,  Speak kindly...

Leave the rest to God.

Good Morning Jewels-

KathyL- Glad you liked the poem. Not too bad for a thirty minute write. Have you gotten on that treadmill? That sucks about your dh having trouble at work with promotion/raise. That can't feel too good. I don't blame him for being grumpy...as long as you are talking about it and aren't taking it personally...it's all good. Thank goodness you seem to have a balance these days of one of you needing support from the other who's got the energy.



Sista- Thanks for the shout out about my poem. Glad to hear you got that clog in your drain taken care of...but I'm with you...just say no to Apple Juice. Definately try 1 1/1 ot 2 caps of Miralax next time to get things moving. Why were you having a pelvic scan? Are you having other symptoms?



wvgirl- Glad you liked the poem, but sorry to hear your DH is so CLUELESS. Like Paula and Kathy stated, he wants to be supportive deep down, but just really doesn't know how. It's like you have to teach him what you need and how to talk to you by example. I agree that he may not know how to share is fear and helpless feelings with you. Many men don't know how, feel comfortable even awknowledging fear, and/or have been taught showing feelings isn't OK for a man. I agree you have to find support elsewhere if not at home, but I would hope that your husband would consider going to counseling with you. I think the American Cancer Society offers support groups and your hospital treatment center should have counseling options as well. Good luck sweetie. ((((HUGS))))



I like the blind horse poem.



Carol- We must have been posting at the same time. I had a good day yesterday and wrote my baldacious babe poem. I can't wait to get my JJ's t-shirt. I am so wearing to my next tx with my SuperGirl cape.



Paula- Wow, sounds like you had an energy filled day yesterday! WhooHoo! And your 'confession' was so eye opening. Of course you're not 100% up and positive and supportive after your dh's diagnosis and recovery. It's got to be so tough to deal with the loss of the man you married...changed moods and behavior and ability to communicate etc... Grieving that loss takes time...and the constant reminder of your loss and your kid's loss of their Dad is just unimaginable to me. I'm so sorry your family is having to go through this...but, the universe has its reasons for entrusting this experience to your family, and I have no doubt that there are times of joy mixed in with the hard work and frustrations. Don't beat yourself up for having DW syndrome...we've all been through that. You gave wvgirl some good insight.



Diana63- Glad you liked the poem. The story I spoke of...is in the works...that's where my time is being spent right now, but the poem has been in the back of my mind, so I got it out yesterday in about 30 minutes and wanted to share it with you all. How are you feeling? Dealing with an autistic child has got to be frustrating as well. Is he highly functioning like Asbuergers(sp)? Is he getting treatment? How old is he? My son's girlfriend works with Austistic kids in their homes before they get to school. It's a great program. I've had at least four different levels of autistic kids in my classroom over the years...challenging to say to the least with no aide and 30 other kids, but we managed with a lot of behavior modification and rewards.



CHJ- Good for you listening to your body. You are so lucky to have a boss that allows you to work from home.



Vettegal, Dana, Jenn51 and all the other Jewels - thinking of you.



Joan, Judy, Sunshine, and Deb3 (haven't heard from you in awhile) - good luck with tx #1 today. Go kick some cancer booty! With all the info and advice on this thread, you should be well prepared.



SIS KImberly

Hey D1- We must have posted at the exact same time. Glad to hear from you...and what great advice for wvgirl...and I'm grateful for your observations on the differences between tx 1 and tx 2. I'll keep track myself and see what I notice. My stubble is falling out of my head daily. Leg hair not growing, but I still have some. I shaved underarms this past weekend, and hair isn't making a huge comeback as of today. My pubic hair is getting thinner for sure. I did start my prese drugs the day before treatment and plan to keep it up throughout.



Awesome on the balditude recognition story. Glad your friend didn't get into an accident, though, "Distracted by bald woman causes single car, non injury accident," is not something you want to read in the local paper. ;-)



SIS Kimberly

Thanks agin ladies for all the advise it really helps. My onc nurse called be back today I called and left a message Monday about stomach cramps...Calling me in some Miralax yea

Hope everyone is doing well today

wvgirl, Miralax is over the counter!!! 

Gotta go, just sneaking a quick peak while at work, see you all tonight!!!

Carol

vettegal - good to hear from you, and hope you rebound soon.  Bob Evans banana bread...mmmmmmm... it's THE reason I go to Bob Evans!  Hang in there!!

CHJ