Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Good Morning Jewels-

Boy, you gals were chatty yesterday and this morning already.



I didn’t have time to get back online yesterday. I went to the oncologist, and I asked him about the eye watering thing. He thinks I need to check with an eye doc to make sure my tear ducts aren’t blocked as that happens sometimes with chemo. When that occurs the tears have nowhere to go but down your face. He explained that tears normally drain down the back of the throat, which I didn’t know. My onc is this slight East Indian fellow with a broad grin. He cracked me up when I told him I didn’t know that about the tear ducts by saying, “They don’t tell you these things on ER or that show with Dr. McDreamy do they?”



So afterwards, I went to the store to get groceries…hadn’t done that with a new fridge arriving…just didn’t replace things. Got home put the groceries away, had a late lunch, then began to set the mood for the evening…pre-set the table and prepared my salmon (a little lemon zest, herbs, sea salt, a little butter, and bay leaves wrapped in foil) so it was ready to just pop in the oven. I pre-made the salad, too, so all I had to do was add the dressing at the last minute. I called my hubby around 6pm to check his ETA…needed to reapply the make-up that had been washed off my face with my poor watery eyes…get dressed and put on the red wig. Right afterwards, my gf calls to tell me a funny student story. The social studies classes had two Tibetan monks as guest speakers…they are doing a healing mandalla at a local park. Through an interpreter, they explained about life in the monistary and how monks ranged in age from 5 years old on up. The kids asked questions like “Are there women at the monestary?” “Can monks marry?” and then this kids asks, “If you can’t get married, where do the baby monks come from?”(apprarently not understanding that the young monks came to them from families rather than being born into the monestary)…she said it was hysterical to see those monks cracking up.



So, my dh got home around 6:30, and I greeted him by asking if he’d like to have dinner with a sexy red head tonight…he loved the wig!!!! After dinner we exchanged cards. I have been writing a story based on my Ode to My Body poem. My stepmother is a writer and has encouraged me to write it and submit it to be published in a friend’s annual Hot Flashes anthology…It’s an anthology of erotic stories…not pornographic…subtle innuendo. Anyway, I included the story in his card. He asked me to read it to him. As I was reading, he started to cry. When I was done reading, he told me it was beautiful and gave me the biggest hug. It was the best Valentines Day!!!!!! Oh, and I could taste the wine…WHOOHOOO!!!! A glass of Pinot with dinner and a small glass of Petite Syrah with the chocolate.



Now that I’m done bragging about my fabulous day…I am so sorry to hear of those of you who were suffering se’s yesterday and today. Hopefully, you got a smile from my chronicles at the very least.



D1- About the spasms…I’ll pay more attention…I know I experienced bone pain after the NastyLasta last time, and I felt like I was going to start my period…back labor kind of pain. It lasted a few days, but Ibuprofin helped. LOL on the wig story. OOOOHHH, a massage. How lovely!!!! Have a great weekend with the college girl.



PALady- Glad you stopped in to say hey!!!! And yeah on feeling good!!!!!



Kathy- Just say NO to the cold…but with little rugrats running around it’s not easy keeping those little germs at bay. Hope it’s not a bad cold. And isn’t it frustrating when the computer goes down and requires a fix like a new router? It must have been like being thrown into solitary confinement not being able to get email, talk with the Jewels, and surf the web. Glad you didn’t have to hurt the repair man.



I got some cream called Elta Lite made for people with diabetes and other dry skin issues. It’s great moisture replacement…I’m using that on my face to sooth the skin…nice!!!! It’s good for sensitive skin and doesn’t clog pores. I saw it on a site that sells items to gals on chemotherapy…wigs, hats, bras etc… but got it at Raleys in the pharmacy section.



What good news...a new baby...and how sweet your dd feels a bond all ready sharing the 13th day of a month.

LJ13 and Kathy- I eat applesauce everyday so I have something in my tummy before taking my vitamins and probiotic. I don’t think it has caused me to have the runs…although I do have loose stools at times.



Vettegal- What a great card to get from your real estate agent. Was this someone you’ve known or someone you just found as you were looking for a house? Either way…how thoughtful of her. Thanks for sharing the sentiment.



Sista2- You put the whole baldness proclaiming our circumstances and how others react so well!!!! Bravo, and I totally agree with you. Although I know we all have different circumstances as far as work, I’m still amazed, as I’ve said before, that so many of you continue to work...SHEROS!!!!



That is awful about the college shooting. It’s just beyond me why people choose to take other’s lives because they are so unhappy and/or angry. It saddens me that we hear about this kind of rampage more and more. What is wrong with people that this is even an option?



Carol- I’ve been colder these days, too. I think part of it is being bald…no hair to keep the heat in…but that the other part is circulation like you said.



The pooper isn’t cooperating eh? I get it that your feeling pretty tender and the thought of the runs isn’t pleasant to consider. Hope you find the balance.



I will check out the more oophs questions thread…thanks for keeping an eye on that and giving me the heads up.



OMG, how exciting is that? Your step-daughter’s boyfriend spruced up grandma’s ring to propose on Valentines Day. And how wonderful is your dh to offer that ring to his future son in law knowing it would mean so much to his daughter? Congrats!!!!!



I will have to go out and see if I can’t find a bottle of Marietta…thanks for the tip.



That’s some commute, but I’ll bet he’s in great shape. A new car eh? Nice...I don’t blame you for being picky about how the bike wrack is mounted…it’s a new car.



Great idea to print out the pics from our thread…



Julie- Loved the pics and the doctor story. I plan to wear my shirt to my Tx3 next week along with my boobies hat and cape. Hope this one will be kinder to you. Fingers and toes are crossed for you.



Paula- LOL on your dh’s never done it with a bald lady comment. Sounds like the cold is getting better…you didn’t mention coughing all night.



CarolC- Oh honey…I am so sorry about your neuropathy issues. I’m glad you still have a sense of humor, though. I can totally picture you with the wig askew toddling on your tip toes in socks…good thing your coworkers and boss understand it’s chemo se’s and not you hitting the bottle.

Glad your new meds kicked in and hope it takes care of it so there’s no discomfort.



Judy- Aren’t our hairstylists awesome? My gal didn’t charge me either, nor did my wig gal. I’m glad you’re doing well…onward and upward.



Hope everyone from yesterday's chemotini party is doing well, and go kick cancer booty today Vettegal, Peg1212 and JKiss75, PALady, RN2Teach (Paula) and Deb102307 .



SIS Kimberly

LOL Suz....OMG you're too funny. You sound good today. You must have been posting when I was composing. We would never tell you to shut up....are you kidding...a chemo vet wants to give us info...bring it on girlfriend!!!





Have a good weekend,

SIS Kimberly

hello my Jewels,

I hope you all had a blessed V day yesterday because you all truly deserve it.  I got nothing from my exboyfriend, which is wonderful to me because it honestly shows that it is over!  God is good.

I called my Dr this morning and I was approved for my MRI, which i was approved yesterday but the Nurse didnt call me. I am just laughing inside because if you dont do the footwork on this stuff you will be point on the back burner.  He ha.  So I am going to schedule it Tuesday my day off and schedule a Dr appt with my Dr on Friday to get this chemo started.  I had this gut feeling - (most likely it was God talking to me) that I was going to start  chemo this month.  I am looking forward to walking this walk with you Ladies.  OH YEA PLS CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT I DONT HAVE LIVER CANCER - BUT GOD IS TELLING ME I AM HEALED THAT I DONT, BUT IT DOESNT HURT TO ASK FOR MORE PRAYERS.

Carol, pls let me know that you got my check sweet pea!  I want to make sure you got your money since you have been so kind to me!

I will tell you since I have this peace with God everything is wonderful - and I mean truly wonderful.  God has instilled in me so much peace and serenity and I KNOW THAT I DONT HAVE LIVER CANCER THAT THEY THINK I HAVE.  GOD HAS HEALED ME IN THE NAME OF JESUS!  

Since I have been walking with peace, i have been getting so many lil gifts - I can say having peace is great you get gifts from people that really care.  Its wonderful. he ha

Last night I was happy to work in the hospital being that these pts were not as fortunate as I to go for V Day.  There was a lady there with her 94 yr father and she was getting neglected from the nurses and I stepped in and realized that he wasnt breathing well - I made sure he got the proper treatment and assistance from everyone.  I told the Daughter you have to fight/push people to get the service you want and she kept thanking me over and over because I was the only one that seemed to care and to give her information that would help her father.  See God allows me to keep working for him!  I just love my/your God so much.

Have a blessed day and like I said before I hope you all got all that you deserved yesterday and each and every day.

Hugs x0x0x,

Dana 

Hey Suz...you're welcome...and I'm so glad you decided to just shift your mindset...isnt the power of positive thinking wonderful? I have my 3rd infusion on Tuesday 2/19....gearing up.



speaking of the power of positive thinking...I am so glad that all is going so well for you Dana.



jpann39- Thanks for stopping in and giving us your kind words...I've seen you on other threads...can't recall which right off the top of my head though. I hope your friend does come on over and check us out. I agree...we are a great group of gals. The love and support and laughter here is truly phenomenal!!!!



SIS Kimberly

Happy Friday Jewels,

I'm glad its Friday and looking forward to 3 days off.  Feeling much better (no Cream of Wheat tonight), in fact a new grill just opened in town and we're going to check it out tonight. 

I once again enjoyed the days postings and all that is shared ...

Sista, I'd say with your positive spirit txt number 3 through 6 will go just as well. 

Julie, thanks for sharing the pic, I saw attitude written all over that pic, love it!!!  I'll add it to my pics I keep with me.  Some how or another I'll have to figure out how to make a montage (sp) of all the pics we get.  Looks like a good job for the dh!

Paula, I think your Hall's cough drops and my wanting Cream of Wheat kinda says something when it comes to being a aphrodisiac. 

Speaking of aphrodisiacs, looks like Kimberly made up for alot of the rest of us in that dept.  You have one lucky dh there gal!  Hey a onc with a sense of humor (Grey's comment!), gotta like that.

Suz, got a good laugh with the belly/boob!  That would be my luck to replace a hoot with stretch marks.  I'm opting for a fako, (getting it next Weds), we'll see how that goes!  I'm going with a great friend, small busted as well, I can hear us already "busting" up!

Dana, so nice you could be so supportive at your work, there is definitely bad/good and great nurses.  I'm sure your the latter!  Check out your PM!

LJ, lets hope your symptoms of UTI go there merry way .. you definitely don't need that to contend with.

Judy, how great of your hairdresser, I hear of that happening quite often which is great.  Those little things can really add up and feel pretty special in the long run.

CarolC, I had to read your post last night to the dh in regards to your hobbling/askew wig.  So glad you can see the humor through the pain.  Sounds like you might be on top of the n-pathy, glad the med is helping.

Vettegal, whats up with the early morning awakening on chemo day.  I did the same thing and I was so looking forward to sleeping in that day.  My bonus for not having to go to work on chemo day and whammo, wide awake!  Hope everything went smoothly for you.

Kathy, congrats on being Auntie, are you a newbie auntie?  I have always like the sound of being called Aunt.  I fired off a PM (yeah, Miralax lady).  Wouldn't mind picking your brain.

wvgirl, hope txt today went well, good timing for the 3 day weekend.  Hopefully you'll be able to enjoy a portion of it.

Wendy, so what kind of work do you do?  Not too many of us we're/have worked the night shift from the sounds of it.  Hopefully you get good rest during the day.

D1, so once again you had me literally laughing out loud with your wig story.  Between CarolC's wig askew and yours popping up on your head, I'd say go with the hat!!!   You gals crack me up, and I love how the humorous side to these situations seems to always take precedence!  Enjoy the weekend with "college girl" and family.

T-shirts went in the mail again today for Kimberly, D1, PALady, Kris, Tina and Wendy.  I still have my size large that I would love to put in the mail to anyone who would like to proudly display the FUBC pride along with the other 22 of us.  Just let me know and its yours.  Unfortunately that is the last one I have. 

The step daughter called last night, wanted to make sure we we're on speaker phone ... so exciting!  Guess its time to start saving our pennies for a wedding.  Actually I have a hunch they may wait a while, she is graduating from the U of Wash this year and he still has one year left.  She has recently decided to attend nursing school, starting this summer.  I told the dh she will end up with a nursing degree that cost about $80,000.  Gotta support them with what will make them a happy adult.

Hope you all have a great evening, Carol 

D1 - Your description of the spasms was right on except it didn't spread to my shoulders.  The spasm matched my heartbeat and was sometimes worse when I laid down until I could make myself not move long enough for it to calm down.  I am taking Neupogen but still mine came on at Day 6 and 7.  I have had 2 oncologists say it is a DIRECT se of the drug and is written in the drug info sheet that I get with the presciption.  My one doc let me take an Alleve and that took the edge off and then I took hydrocodone (left over from surgery) and was fine.  Now my primary onc told me no more Alleve or Ibuprofen but prescribed me Tramadol and that is supposed to work.  I start the injections tomorrow night and as the week goes on, I'll let you know.  If you got info with the prescription, look and it should say something about bone pain or go to the website and see if info there.  I found heating pad did absolutely nothing since is not muscular.

Hope that helps.

Back to reading and will post more later but wanted to let you know as it sounds like your onc is not working with you on this. 

Good evening Jewels,

Well let me tell you about Wednesday -Went to see Onc. had exam he did exam and said lump is Smaller I told him I thought so too but wanted it confirmed by him.

I ask to have an MRI after treatment # 4 he said we would talk about it in 3 weeks. I ask for a referral to see the clinical Onc he agreed to make me an appointment.

Wednesday night I went to a Cancer support meeting at a local Church. It was very helpful

I meet a very nice lady who actually had the same Onc as I She calls herself PRESIDENT of his fan club.

She had some very good stories.

She was very inspiring she gave me her phone numbers.

 She had brought a box of Ginger Snaps to the meeting and when she found out I was taking Chemo she gave the them and said that they really helped her with the nausea but make sure on the box it says made with real ginger. I did have a little nausea tonight and did eat a couple and it did help

I have been very distant from the DH and I think he knows something was wrong.

I never got flowers sent to me at work in the 23 years we have been married. This was the year my dh sent me 1/2 Roses Boy was I shocked. Get this the card was signed --Your mean husband--Got a laugh out of that one.

I brought supper home from work  and went and got his VDay present Redstone candy He dearly loves. He was happy

He came back to the bedroom and lay down beside me for awhile I told him this is all I am asking for and told him I really appreciate it. I hope things get better because this stress I have been having is not helping with the healing. Well enough of this

Sista2 Your attitude is great. Sounds like we are close on the same amount of treatment. The General Manager where I work who raley said 3 words to me in the 9 1/2 years I have been there now makes it a point to stop by and ask how I am doing. Monday he said boy you are a fighter I told him you have to be you can not let the cancer control you and take over your life.

D1 Your story about Dave maybe he was afraid of saying the wrong think and did not know what to say.

Hope you have a great visit with collage girl this weekend

Vettegal The card was great loved it. My girlfriend sent me a Vera Bradly chain purse this week. It was in support of BC a portion of the sale goes to BC research.

Carol- What a wounder thing to do to be able to pass down a ring with sentimental value. My wedding rings belonged to dh mother when she was married to dh father.

Juliek Love your FUBC picture I hope your SE's are not as bad this time. Well wishes are being sent to you.

Paula I to can not do coffee after chemo the taste is terrible. I also drink tea for that week

CarolC sorry your having a tough time a friend told me her sister got Bio Freeze form PT and said it helped.

Kimberly Glad you have a great V Day withe the dh

Paula Glad you got through # 3 I hope the SE's stay away this time

Dana glad to hear from you and that things are moving forward with you I am praying for a clear MRI  GOD IS GOOD

Here is what I get

Saline

Herceptin

Pepcid 20 mg

Aloxi .25 mg

dexomethozone 20 mg

Taxotere

Well, it was bottoms up at the chemo lounge for #3 today so bc could kiss my a**.

A little tired but ok so far.  Start the Neupogen and Procrit tomorrow and had a big warning from my onc that I needed to be very aware of my temp and how my body was feeling and head to the ER if any doubts as neutropenic fever is a medical emergency.  She said she wasn't trying to scare me but WTF??! 

I already chimed in on the spasms. 

I hope that all those that joined me at the chemo lounge are doing ok this evening.

I have decided that I might make a little scrapbook out of the chemo experience and will print out the pictures and funny and inspirational stories and poems to add to it.  Hope that is ok with all the authors.

Glad that quite a few were able to have a decent V-Day.  My partner was sick so I was staying away from her.  Think it was a stomach bug brought on by food and stress as she is better now.  But I was not taking any chances.

LJ13- Hope you partner recovers quickly too.

I will probably be a lurker this weekend like Julie, as I am kind of a slug for about 3-4 days after treatment.

Well, I hear the couch calling me. 

((((HUGS)))) to all the dazzling Jewels!

Jenn -- I asked the surgeon this question when I last saw her.  I figure if they do studies that talk about a certain number of years without disease, they have to all start at the same place.  She said it is from diagnosis.  I know based on the PET and CT scans, I'm currently NED (no evidence of disease), so even though I'm still having chemo and will need Herceptin for a full year and rads somewhere in that year, I'm considered a few months into the first year of being disease free. 

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

This is not about Cancer - this is about life.

Today we lost an Angel - we lost a police officer!  His funeral was packed with ten thousand people!!!!!!!!  This man served the Lord on a continous basis, served the less and unfortuntate kids, homeless and many more on his days off.  He was such a inspiring man, and to see how he touched so many lifes in this world was such a rewarding experience for me. 

It makes me realize once I am done beating Cancer, I am going to volunteer my time to the Abused Center for women/children, I am going to adopt a child and volunteer at a Cancer Ctr.  We have so much to do in life, and its not about us its about serving God and others.  I just cant wait till I am able to pursue these dreams of mine.

I hope and pray that you Jewels continue to inspire me and so many others - You are all gifts from God and you should realize it when you see others pop in on our website and see all the LOVE we have for one another - from the all streams of life!  I love you ALL and each and everyone of you have lifted me up  and I just want to say thanks! 

May we continue to grow and bless others!!! GOD IS LOVE!!!

Pa, I will find out this tuesday when I get the test done, or actually when I go back for a follow-up but I know I dont have it.  I feel it deep in my heart and soul!  Thanks for being concerned!  Thanks for the prayers, i need them! God bless ya....

Hello Jewels

Had a rough round 2. the taxatore after the first few minutes made my chest real tight i told the dh tocal the nurse and 5 nurses showed up and a doctor. put me on oxygen and gave me another shot of benedryl and a steroid. my face was beat red and they had cold rags on my bald head and ice on my neck..my blod presure went up too. whew what a scare. I was so tired from the  benedryl i came right home and crashed in bed. Now some diarrea again...I had so much medicine in me last night.

Hope everyone else had a better time then i did. will check later on.

Good Morning Jewels-

CathyCa- Well, OK then…we start at diagnosis. I haven’t had any PET or CT scans since my diagnostic ones…hmmm, maybe after chemo and rads. Congrats on your dance with NED!!!!



ARDeb- Aren’t those Decadron highs great? I’ll be starting mine on Monday. Whoohoo on your partner not having the flu!!!! Hope you got to sleep at a decent hour.



Dana- I was sorry to hear that a police officer passed away in your area. The police and fireman of our nation are a tight brotherhood for sure, and I’ll be there were officers from all over the nation in attendance. What a wonderful gift he gave to those he served. He sounds like he was a wonderful man…and inspiring to you. I can totally understand why so many people showed up to pay their respects.



Wow, volunteering at the Abused Women and Children’s Center, the Cancer Center, and adopting a child on top of being a full-time nurse sounds like a tall order. I’m glad to hear such excitement in your voice about your life.



PALady- That sucks getting your period again. I think I’m going to get mine again, too. It will be my second since chemo started. Hair growing back already? I have nubs…but then I shave my head with my electric shaver, so I don’t have to deal with Velcro head. I figure I’ll let it all grow back at the same time when I’m done with chemo. Hope you got a good night’s sleep and that your Ibuprofin is enough to take care of the spasms.



Vettegal- Well girl…you just don’t do things the easy way do ya? I’m so sorry you had a reaction to the Taxotere…how scary…thankfully those nurses and the doc were on top of it. I’m telling you, the second one seems to be the one people react to…I am so going to tell my onc nurse that yet another person had a reaction to the second dose…and when I go in on Tuesday…I’m going to ask that my drip go nice and slow again as I requested last time. I hope you got some good rest and that you can get the diarrea under control.



Kris- That is so great that the guys at work did the buzz, and that your dh and son are doing it too. That’s love and support right there!!!!! Can’t wait to see your pics…get a family shot and a group shot at work, OK? And…about the constipation…you got it right about getting ahead of it before it starts. I learned that after tx 1. I took my preventives starting the same day as my steroids and took them through to day 6 or so…really helped. I’ll be starting that routine again on Monday as infusion #3 is Tuesday.



Have a great day, gals. I’ll check in later.



SIS Kimberly

Thanks for all the good wishes. It seems I'm getting a bit of that chest congestion, so I'll spend much of the weekend in bed getting lots of rest. Grrrr. Just what I wanted before starting the Taxol/Herceptin cocktail ....

I have a theory about WVgirl's DH. I think the hair thing scared him. See, when we're diagnosed, when we go through our surgeries (if they do that first), even for a while after we start chemo, we still look like us, and while the people we tell *know* we have cancer, we still look pretty healthy. As soon as that hair goes, we look like cancer patients. I think maybe the DH was cruising along in his own little world of denial, his WVgirl looked fine, then boom, she has no hair, she looks sickly like other cancer patients, and it scared him. A lot of people withdraw when they have to confront big scary feelings they've been avoiding, in an attempt to continue to avoid those scary feelings. Sounds like he's finally adjusting to his new realization and though he may never be some Lifetime Movie kind of partner, he'll do better  with it all now that he's beginning to accept reality.

That's just my armchair psychologist POV.