deb102307 - glad to read about your tx#2 with taxotere.  i'm having my second tomorrow.  wasn't as easy as i thought it would be.  had 3 weeks in between instead of 2 this time and thought i'd have a nice feel-good period but it hasn't happened.  been fighting a cold w/ fever this week and hoping it's done so i don't have to delay tx.

judy - i'm so sorry about your latest news but glad have a different drug to fight with.  and thanks for the encouragement to stick with this chemo crap.  i just told my onc yesterday that i want to be done, though not seriously going to quit.  he didn't recommend it.  you are so right.  i pray that your new tx does the job and you get some relief from your cough.

sis kimberly - damn that infection.  as if this all isn't hard enough.  hang in there.  i know your tremendous spirit will see you through.  get well.

jenn51 - i hope the family can come to an agreement on how to handle things with your fil.  i'm sorry for what your family's having to go through.

vettegal - your sister is so lucky to have you to turn to now.  we all know how hard it is waiting for answers.  i'm sorry she has gotten more bad news but yet good that they're being thorough and finding all they need to.  that probably isn't of much comfort to her at this time though.

i've been trying to stay current on the posts.  this all isn't getting any easier.  my dd turned sweet 16 yesterday and being  3 wks out from treatment, i thought i'd feel good.  i felt awful and felt more awful for feeling awful on her birthday.  my youngest's is coming up soon...i need to feel good... one good thing - while i was sick with a fever, i had fewer hot flashes!  but i must be getting better cause they're back.

i did have a strange se on taxotere that i haven't read about...i wear a sterling silver ring that is a band of my daughters names.  well one day last week it tarnished, out of the blue.  i hadn't done anything different to cause it to change.  first thing i think is chemo.  then a couple days later it was silver again.  i guess with the burning and peeling of my hands it's not surprising but i feel like i'm more toxic than ever.  i wonder what's in my sweat from all of those hot flashes?!!!???

to everyone who is done with chemo, i am sooooooooo happy for you!!  for those who still are trudging through....i'm still trudgin' with you and hoping for minimal, make that NO se's for us all.

take care jewels!

Good evening, Gems! I think I finally have the stinkin migraine under control. It got bad again today, but now seems to be gone - let's hope for good!

Paula - congrats to the ds!! Sounds like he had a great game! Also sounds like you and the dd got some special time together - I remember those drives with my mom. I agree with Carol - don't push the counseling unless they approach you about it. Kids are so resilient and I'm sure they have good friends they're talking to.

Carol - I hope you got some extra sleep this morning! I did another shot of Imitrex around 6:00 and was able to finally get several hours.

Deb - Sorry you're having such a hard time. The end is near.....keep looking for that light at the end of your tunnel!

Kris - WOOOOHOOOOO for your last AC!!!!!! Double WOOOOHOOOO to no rads!!! That's good news for you!

Vettegal - I'm so sorry your sister got more scary news. I'm sure that's hard to have her call you so upset. I completely understand why she's upset. Take it from someone who chose to do a bilateral mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy, it is not the end of the world. The most important thing is that they get the cancer - whatever way will get it the best - and then she can focus on healing. My sister is the one that did a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy two years ago because of our mother's history with breast cancer and she has never regretted that decision. When we talk about it, our philosophy is "they're just boobs" and you can always build new ones. It's important that they get the cancer out and she can do her treatments, then reconstruct if necessary. Just my two cents - I'll be thinking of her as she faces all the decisions ahead.

Sista - sorry you haven't been feeling well. I'm sure it was tough to be sick on your dd's birthday - you can always do a late celebration when you're feeling better! Hope your se's get better. Strange about the ring - that's a new one! I've had to take most of mine off as they had gotten too tight on my fingers.

My ds came home from TKD all excited last night. His Master asked him to take part in a special exhibition at a big local martial arts fight this Friday night. He only asked about 5 kids out of the 40+ in the class, so he is really excited about it! We were pretty proud of him.

Well, Jewels - I need to head into town and pick up ds soon. Hope everyone has a good evening!

LJ, Jenn, and Maz - go get ‘em tomorrow, girls!!! Hope you all have uneventful tx's and minimal se's!!

Special {{{{HUGS}}}}} to all our "blue" Jewels who have been MIA for a while. Thinking of you all!!

Julie

Thanks Carol, it worked.  I printed your pm & will keep it with everything else I'm having to print these days.

Here is Peyton, 3 yrs.

And here's my other boys, Jake's the black one, he's 6.  Shaun is the golden one, he's 3 1/2, but we've only had him since last July.  Adopted him from a cocker rescue. 

Now I'll go read & write.

deb102307 - the soft area under my thumbs but on my  palms (got that?) turned red like they were burned and then peeled.  my fingertips are peeling and some in between fingers.  nothing on the backside though.  my fingernails were so sore for a while too (texting hurt so bad!) but better now.  body aches worse than any i've ever felt hit days 3-4 (Easter)-in bed all weekend, got better after that.  i don't think the fatigue has left at all, especially with getting sick.  i've pretty much been a whiny mess since my last tx.  i keep getting sore throats too, what's up with that?  let me know what other nasties hit you with #2, i'm following right behind ya.  only 2 more, keep saying it!!!! (after tomorrow for me anyway)  oh yeah, my eyes are a seeping mess and my taste left too. ugh.

Jenn51 - how adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Gems,

All I have left in the tank tonight is a quick shout out to our jewels off to the bar tomorrow ...

Jennifer, LJ and Maz, may all of your txts be "uneventful", and se's left at the bar.  You all will have to fight for the tab!!!

wvgirl, if your sneaking a peak, let us know that your okay ... okay?

Take care all my fellow jewel friends, I'll probably be lurking for a bit tonight, my goofy sleep last night has finally caught up with me once I plopped in my favortite spot (yep the recliner!).  Still need to motivate to cook a little something, dh will be home shortly, so to all a good night.

Carol

Hi Jewels!  Reading while watching/listening to the AI Gives Back show.  I'll do my shout outs tomorrow, but had at least say hi.  Carol-- thanks for posting about Kimberly.  Kimberly, if you're reading, I'm thinking of you and sending healing vibes your way.  Stay positive.

'Night Jewels!

Thanks for the good thoughts ladies. Heading out to Tax/Herc. Tx#8 momentarily.

Carol, the appointment with the Rad Onc is in early May. I'll be sure to update the group on his sage advice. The scheduling admin set it up for 2 hours ... she said "he likes to take his time with patients ... he'll take his time with the patient before you ... and he'll take his time with you ..." My kind of doctor ... I always run long in appointments because I have so many questions.

Please send all our love to Kimberly, and tell her the collective group energy is coming her way. She needs to tap into that group energy and soak up the healing power.

Where's Dana? Didn't she have a PET scan recently? 

Hi Ladies!

Jenn-your pictures are great. All of the boys(dogs included) They look comfy on that chair!!!

D1-that photo was from last year at a car cruise we checked out! I looked at my hair and cried. I really miss it!

Thanks to everyone on vettesis. she is having a hard time. Really hard. I told her we have all been there and she needs to come to this webisite.

Does any have as much fatigue as I do? My goodness, I get so tired I mean EXHAUSTED I try to pace myself at work. it never works, i go crazy all day and by the afternoon i could sleep behind my desk. I hate to turn into one of teh old people that go to bed at 7pm. but, I will. My body needs rest.

Good luck to those hitting the BAR tomorrow! it is happy hour 2 for 1 drinks at th chemo bar!

I am pooped out, hitting the bed early again. i am such a old geezer!

GO PENQUINS!!! we are hockey fans here!

hugs to all....xxoo

Good evening, Jewels! Glad some of you had good weather today -- it stormed here ALL day and is continuing tonight! They're calling for strong winds and hail! It's supposed to continue like this through the weekend -- yucky!

I went to school today and had a nice day. I was really tired -- since I haven't slept much for about 5 days -- but it was great to see all my friends and students. I'm pretty tired tonight -- sure hope I can sleep!

Kathy - I haven't done my cards yet - partly b/c I'm unsure what to put! I had planned on working on them 2morrow -- any ideas???

D1 - yes, Kimberly posted something several days back about the cards. I'll see if I can find it and will PM it to you.

Vettegal - hope you start feeling better soon. I feel the fatigue, like you, but just can't sleep!! So sorry your sister is having such a hard time - encourage her to come to this site. I did the weekend I was diagnosed and it helped me so much.

SheShe - hope you're feeling better soon! Take care of yourself and get your rest.

SIS Kimberly -- thinking of you and praying you're on your way to beating that infection. Hang in there, sweetie!

Dana -- doing okay??

All of our missing Jewels -- thinking of you!!

I'm upset about AI tonight!!!!! I won't ruin it for those of you who haven't seen it yet, but I was not happy about the elimination -- I definitely thought there were others that should have gone first!! Made me sad!

Hope everyone has a good night! {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} to all!

Julie

Evening Gems,

Boy these weeks sure do fly by when your having fun ... well lets hope somebody is having some fun.

Paula, your light is getting brighter, only one more txt after this one, gotta like that.  Kick some bc butt tomorrow, looks like your sharing the tab with Dana (who seems to be MIA), hoping that all is well with ya.

Julie, just told the dh that AI is on tonight and that you didn't like the results...he is into AI more than I, I probably don't pay close enough attention as I'm usually "putering".

I have this hunch you may sleep like a baby tonight, sounds as if you had a busy but great day at school.

Kudos to the ds, I'd be pretty jazzed up as well to be invited to attend the TKD exhibition. 

SheShe, happy to see you back on the post.  The nice thing is that you can always pop in when the mood strikes, this post keeps on going like a well oiled machine, when some are down, others are on a high.

Glad to hear that you like you rad doc, sounds like you'll be seeing a bit more of him than your onc here in the near future.  I don't know your whole circumstance with your existing onc, but I think I would be searching for another to assist your future needs, I'm under the impression that our onc's will more or less be basically our primary doc for some time to come.  I hope something will work out so that your comfortable with your doc.

Vettegal, I say poop out when the need is there, we hear over and over again, listen to our bodies, if yours feels the need for rest, I wouldn't hesitate, and not feel like an ol' geezer.  You must remember that you are not only dealing with your own stress, but that of your sis as well.  It may be draining you more than you think.  Sure hope that Vettesis can find some additional support as we all have.  Its truly invaluable!

DCMom, holy smokes, hope you don't need to see a chiropractor after sitting and reading all of this gabby group's postings.  I'm sure that somebody on your regimen will chime in with some info.  Glad that Kalen got you to check this group out, it can put almost any cancer by the numbers book to shame.  Good note on the FUBC by the way!!!

Kathy, I did send off my cards/envelopes to SIS Kimberly, I pretty much just noted that I like all food/bev, my obvious interest of golf, and a couple of other items.  I think she just wanted to be able to give the pal you get an idea of what you might enjoy, and not something that you dislike, (such as if your allergic to seafood, a package of smoke salmon might not be so great). 

Speaking of SIS Kimberly, through the grapevine (from D1), she is slowly feeling better and it sounds as if the infection is responding to the I/V antiobiotic.  I'll let D1 comment, as I have not personally spoken to Kimberly since Tuesday.  We're here thinking of ya gal, and certainly miss your inspirational words!

D1, what can I say, think I said it!!!  I made it back to my shop with about 15 minutes to spare ... wish all my afternoons at work went by so fast.   Enjoyed the chat more than words could say!

LJ, great to hear that your rad doc is "your kind of doc",  that is so important throughout this whole adventure.   I should have an arsenol of questions for my rad doc when the time comes. 

Diana, gal you definately have a full plate, trying to take care of yourself as well as caring for your ds.  Another true SHERO!  Hope you get some good nights rest soon.  I'm not planning on being up to post at 3:00am too many more times!!!

Speaking of early get ups, just found out tonight that we have to be at the skate rink at 5:00am for warmups tomorrow morning.  Thats a 3:15am wakeup call, as the rink is over an hour away.  My ds first race will be taking place at about 6:20am.  Staying in a hotel just a few blocks from the rink, will be taking a catnap tomorrow afternoon I'm sure.  Checked out the hotel to see if it had wi-fi, BINGO, should be able to check in with my Jewel family of friends throughout the weekend.

To the tubber and bed, hope that my Lorazepam knocks me out til atleast 3:00 ... take care all,

Carol

Hey Js,

It has been a busy couple of days. Had an "away" ballgame last night (our team lost ) and got in late. The state board of ed. visited our school this morning along with WV's governor, so it was an interesting day. Took off right after work for onco appt., which went well. Bloodwork was great so Taxol #3 is a go for tomorrow. Met ds at S&K to help him order his tux for prom and went to Quaker Steak & Lube for dinner after... Realized on the way home that I hadn't put out my substitute materials (had them ready, just not out where the sub could find them), so stopped in at work to take care of that on the way home. Ended up tidying my room, updating my grades online, and printing off missing work lists for the kids. Got home about 11pm. Had to take my decadron at midnight and chased it w/ benadryl. Hope I can get to sleep at some point, but still too wired to consider it.

DCMom- I am on DD Taxol every other week. My biggest complaint: bone and muscle pain, pretty intense beginning 36 hours after chemo and lasting 3 days or so. I do chemo on Fridays, have my worst days Sunday-Monday, and the pain level drops steadily after that until I am pain-free by Friday. I have had to take a narcotic to sleep on the worst nights and sometimes during the daytime--but it works and allows me to go on with my life, so no worries. (I agree w/ Tinalee that this is much more tolerable than AC!)

Jenn- beautiful gs and the dogs are precious.

Deb1023- glad the second round went okay. I appreciate hearing about your se's, so whine when you need to . I had the peeling thing on my fingertips also.

Kris- congrats on being finished w/ AC! That IS something to celebrate!

Vettegal- thinking of you and Denise.

Sista- good to see your post. I'm sorry you weren't feeling your best for dd's Bday.

Julie- hearty congrats to ds for being selected for the TKD exhibition!

Jenn, Maz and LJ- hope today went well in the lounge for you gals.

D1- monitor that pink tata carefully and keep lathering the creams to it.

KathyL- haven't done my cards yet either... will get that done this weekend.

Tinalee- I hear some of that winter weather is headed our way. UGH!

Dana- it's just us two at the bar tomorrow--bottom's up!

Carol- YEAH, baby! I'm seeing the light. In just 2 short weeks my chemo journey will come to an end.

SIS Kimberly- thinking of you--we miss you!

WVGirl- where ARE you???? Hope you're okay. 

I'll check in w/ you gals tomorrow.

Paula

did you guys read the article about fasting and chemo.  testing in mice has shown two days of fasting before tx somehow gets the body to protect the goods cells while still killing the cancer cells.  my mil told me about this ("it's a little late for you...." and my bald self....) and i saw the article on this board.  will be interesting to see how it works in humans.   

http://community.breastcancer.org/topic/69/conversation/703433

Hi Jewels,

Kind of lurking here.  Tx #5 went good yesty but the fatigue is starting to set in.

I'm still not sure what caused the pleurisy type pain.  It was better by the time I saw the onc (of course) but he still wanted to take a CT w/dye of my lungs.  Said since I also had shortness of breath it might be a pulminary embolism.  Ordered it stat, sent me flying to the hosp. right after tx but then said all was OK.  I'm a little puzzled what is causing it but I guess if he isn't worried I won't be either.

I may have confused some of us if I said I read that Herceptin caused the water retention.  Onc told me yesty that it was the Taxotere.  Only have 1 more of those so maybe I can wear my rings again by June.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who hasn't sent her cards.  I too have been a bit confused.  And are we to send cards or just envelopes?  And what good are the envelopes if we want to send some goodies or a card that won't fit?  FUCB

I'm not sure what I did to make that big & gray but I can't seem to make it right.  The fog must be rolling in.  Sorry I can't get to shout outs but I've hit my limit.  Recliner is calling.  I'll come back when I can.  Love to all.

Tinalee- Thank you so much for your information.  I have been really worried about the neuropathy and my next four cycles.  Hoping for no adverse reactions.  Sending out a big prayer for all of you Jewels and will probably do the occasional lurk to check up on all of you as you return to normal and start posting nothing but boring day to day activities (that will forever be nothing but wonderful).

Guns Ablazin' 

DC