Starting Chemo in May 07

Morning everyone,

Again, its been a long time since I posted.  I'm not on my computer very often anymore.  I get on about twice a week to check emails, etc.   Lots of times I'm just to tired or to lazy to turn the darn thing on.  LOL

Things are still going well.  Went in last Thursday for chemo and they only did the Avistan because of my platelet count.  Monday it was way better and I had the gemzar/carboplatin.  I'll do gemzar again Tomorrow.  I'm actually feeling well this time.  I've not had the nausea that I've had before.  Hope I haven't gained any weight back.   OH I have another scan after this round of chemo.  I think it is May 12th.  I'll let you know if they are still shrinking. and "scared"

The baby is doing well.  I haven't seen her in a week and it's driving me nuts. LOL Short trip.  Hopefully I'll get to see her today for a little while.

I got the note about the clothe diapers and have them bagged up.  Was going to send them but threw out the box with your address on it and gave the card to my son without getting the address off.  OOPS I think chemo brain struck again.  They are always so excited when I tell them more stuff is coming.  Thanks again for all the stuff you have already sent.

Glad everyone seems to be doing well with implants and life in general.  Hair growth is a big thing as well.  My hair is actually growing but very very slowly. It seems to be straight and totally grey.  I did actually have to shave my legs last week, will be another 2-3 weeks before I have to do it again. LOL 

I agree that we still need to meet sometime soon.  I'd just have to tell the onc that I cant have chemo that week cause I want to visit my bc.org sisters.

Time to get off here and maybe do something productive, or maybe take a nap.

Hugs everybody

CindyKS

Amanda, I'm thrilled to hear the good news on your test results!  (insert dancing emoticon here)  Who needs that kind of excitement?  (I read your news in my e-mail notifications when you first told us, but I've been so swamped this is the first time I've had time to log in).

Lorain, my six appointments in six weeks:  Hemo-onc, rad-onc, breast surgeon, GYN, GP, and ortho-onc ... and I had a mammogram in there, too   But nothing for awhile now!   My hip is doing fine ... a little bit of pain in my butt but maybe that just .... ?  :-D

I'm visiting with my nephew so I brought out my mammo films and MRI CD's for him to take a look at.  I'm so thankful I have the ability to get a vested second opinion on my films.

I've had my third haircut now ... woohoo!  I still can't wait until it's long again.  I'm going to keep the lower part short until the top catches up.  (The anti-mullet)

CindyKS, glad to hear that you're hanging in there and that you're enjoying your sweet baby granddaugther.  I asked my nephew's wife about baby clothes and she is saving them for her sister.  She's emotionally attached to the clothes and has already given away other stuff.  But I do have a few things back at home I'll package up and send along with a mailer for those diapers.  Thanks for putting them aside!

Wow, it has been SUCH a long time since I logged on to this site. Life has become very busy and dare I say it? Incredibly normal! Yeah!

I uploaded a new avatar so you could see my hair from April's vacation. I took my kids to Hawaii as a "thanks for being great while I was in treatment" trip and the humidity and wind on the Big Island made my hair so fat. It was hilarious actually. I've had 2 hair cuts, just to trim up the back so the front can catch up but he also thins things out so it doesn't look like such a ginormous helmet. I had it colored finally, with blondish highlights, too, as I couldn't do the grey anymore. I was asked if I qualified for the senior discount and that was the last straw.

I started a new job 2 weeks ago (right after my Hawaii trip - PERFECT timing) and I love it. I'm so happy to be out of real estate, especially with the market as it is. I'm working for startup company that delivers your postal mail online. It's going to be huge. A former co-worker is the VP of Human Resources (HR) so she hired me as HR/Finance Associate. That means I help her and I help the controller with accounts payable stuff. The accounting is only temporary until there is too much to handle and then they'll hire someone else and I'll be all HR. I'm thrilled to have an office with a door and a window and I have lots of new stuff to learn. It's exciting. I had to take a pay cut but raises will come and I'll be okay.

The boyfriend is fully living here and life is mostly good... however, he suffers from chronic cluster headaches and is in a spell now where he has a headache every single day... every single minute. And no meds really work. Ai yi yi. Lots of lessons in compassion and keeping myself up even if he is down. Eventually this cycle will end but it could take a long time. It's very sad. I find it interesting that the person I attracted while I was sick has illness issues as well... but what can you do? I adore him, and this too shall pass.

Back outside with me. I'm wheelbarrowing bark mulch today.

I'm so glad everyone is doing well. I think of all of you, often.  

With love,

LeeAnne 

Hi, Cindy!  So nice to hear from you!  Really glad you're done with treatment and the kitchen.  Kitchens have to be the worst to remodel, but I bet it looks great! 

I'd try Biotin for your hair...it's a B vitamin especially for hair and nails. 

I'm heading to Denver tomorrow...4 hour drive...to see my surgeon and ps.  I'm having my silicone implants put in on May 30th.  I'm very excited...seems like I've waited forever!

No fair!!!!!  I'm losing my eyelashes again!!!  This will be the third time...just doesn't seem right!  Oh, well, I've come to realize that kind of thing doesn't matter much.  

My mother-in-law died of acute leukemia today.  I really loved her...she was one of the most loving people I've known.  Just found out about it April 1st.

Gotta go to bed...thinking of all of you!

Lorain 

Hi ladies,,,,,,,,its me again.  I've had the flue for a few days now and was bored so thought I would drop in to say Hi again.  Had to force myself up off the couch.  lol

Cindyks?   How is that grandbaby doing?  Grandkids are the best.  You know that old saying,,,,,,you can spoil them then at the end of the day hand them over to their parents.  lol  I babysit my grandson 3 days a week,,,,,,,,and its just amazing how much he has changed.  Everyday there is something new and wonderful.  Its a great feeling watching him grow.  And how are you doing?  Is everything going ok with chemo and all?  Did u scare that mets butt?  I sure hope so girl. You are a strong woman, I admire that in you.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  I know its hard to get on here often,,,,,even I slacked off for a while,,,,,,but please keep us informed as to how you are doing ok?

We've all been thru a lot together.  And even if those of us who are done with treatment,,,,,,,,it doesnt mean that we have forgotten those of you still doing treatment.  We all care.

Cindy

how's everyone!  i'm doing fine.  my hair's growing.  it's a challenge to style but having fun with it.  thinking about you girls, even when i'm not posting.  life's just busy.  dad had a quadruple bypass and mom's, well, a long story.  but life's good.  i'm still trying to lose weight and i'm also trying to find someone to go to the midnight showing of sex and the city thursday night.  anyone interested???

Hi Girls-

I'm glad to see you guys post.  It was making me really sad that no one was posting either here or on Yahoo...  It's been a YEAR since we started chemo!!  Phew. 

LeeAnne- glad to hear everything is going so well for you...  Hope the BF isn't suffering too terribly with the migraines.  They sound awful.  You would be proud of me...this year I hired a "lawn boy."  Last year, I think I subconciously did my own grass so I could say "F-U cancer..."  Now, I feel good and I come home from work and the lawn is DONE!  I do the Snoopy happy dance.

Cindy- thanks for asking about Dad.  He's hanging in there...  After nearly losing him in February, he's rebounded.  He's rather onery, but I am grateful for the extra time I've been given with him.  I go there every night to make his dinner.  I am positively exhausted, but what am I going to do.  I am just glad that it's all going on now, and not 1 year ago during chemo...  How did you finish your Herceptin so quickly??  I am still on it until July.  I had to do one full year...  I haven't noticed any SE's on my hair from the Herceptin.  I am lucky that it came back thick like it was before.  I have swelling in my hands...I'm not sure if that's from the Herceptin or the Tamoxifen...

Lorain- so sorry about your MIL.  I hope that you managed to have a good time in Denver despite the sadness...

Liz- you need a new avatar!!    I have NOT cut my hair since it started growing...  You gals who have cut your hair...I give you credit.  I would rather have the grandpa munster / bozo the clown side burns...  Just can't bear to cut it...  I use lots of hair goop to tame the curls...

Lar- you are funny with the baseball cap.  I guess my hair is not as curly as it COULD have been...  I had pin straight hair before, so I can only imagine how curly it came back for people who had curly hair to begin with.

Also, CindyKS had to have gallbladder surgery as well!!???  That's awful!!  What are the odds that two people on this board would??  I'm guessing Mandy's surgery is over and done with by now.

Not much else to report.  Busy taking care of Dad.  I ordered a Wii so I could get a Wii Fit to "exercise."  HAHA.  I'm going to Hershey PA with my sister and her family this weekend.  One year ago, in the middle of chemo, I was riding coasters with my kiddies...bald.  This year it will be nice to go WITH hair.

Traci, Amanda, CindyMN --- all the rest who my chemo brain is forgetting, hope you are well...  Happy Chemoversary everyone!

Virginia

Lorain, I'm so sorry to hear about your MIL, and so quickly.  Quite a lot to adjust to.  Best wishes for your surgery this week!

Virginia, your hair actually looks like you've been trimming it, it's so perfectly styled.  Mine came in much more uneven.  I posted a picture over on the Yahoo site of me about a month ago.  I'm glad your dad is doing better.

I never did hear anything about my Tamoxifen metabolization test results.  I got a fax that said "Your results will be mailed to your physician" ... like, why bother sending a fax about that?  That was over two months ago, and I just haven't gotten around to calling my onc.  I go in for my 3 month check-up in just a couple weeks so I figured, why not just wait until I can discuss options with her.   I don't really want to have an ooph, so I hope the results come back good.

Hey Lorraine,,,,,,,,,,,I think this is the address for the May 2007 group (which is at the bottom of this post)  I hardly ever go there anymore cause no one posts there.  I would get emails if someone posted a new post,,,,,,but havent gotten an email for a long time, so figured no one posts over there.  Hope this helps you.  I am so glad your surgery went fine.  I had a lumpectomy not a mastectomy,,,,,,,so one boob is a bit smaller than the other.  I wished they were both smaller,,,,,,I am a C cup..........and haaaaaaaate it.  I wonder if insurance would pay to have a boob reduction surgery?  Even to have them both the same size would be nice.  Its not too noticiable but I notice it,,,,,,,,even when I went to have my port taken out the breast surgeon said one was smaller now.  Do you think insurance would cover that since it was due to breast cancer surgery?  Just a thought.   How long is your hair now???  Mine is still not long enough for public viewing,  lol.

Hope this address works for you girl.

Have a great rest of the weekend.

Where in the world is Traci??  She disappeared on us.  Come baaaaaaack Traci. 

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/May2007/

Cindy

Hey girlies,,,,,,,,,,,,omg I didnt know that Traci was moving.  Hope that move works out for her.

I had my port taken out also right before my last herceptin treatment.  Nice to have it out,,,,,although it never bothered me.  But just the thought its not longer there is good. 

And about having both boobs match up,,,,,,,,would I just call my insurance and ask if they cover that?  Or call the dr??

Cindyks,,,,,,,,,hope you are doing good.  Please let us know ok??  Spoiling that grandbaby I hope.  lol

Virginia,,,,,,,,,,,hope all is going well with you and your dad.  You asked how I finished my herceptin already,,,,,,,,well I started chemo along with Herceptin in May 07.  So my year was up May 08. 

And to those that I havent personally mentioned,,,,,just know that I am thinking of you all and wishing you all well.

Thanx ladies,,,,,,,,,,have a great week.

Cindy

Cindy- ahhhhhhhhhhhh, that explains it!  I was wondering how you got to quit earlier than me...  My original chemo plan I might have been able to do the simultanous treatment, but with the AC chemo, no go...  I didn't start my herceptin 'til July...so a few more months for me...

All- thanks for the kind words RE my hair.  I actually like the "stage" it's at now.  I'm sure as it gets longer it will be harder to style.  I haven't worn my wig since the end of September...  I haven't had a cut since I cut my 10" pony in March '07.

Dad is going back in the hospital tonight...  I'm exhausted... 

Take care girlies.  Glad to see some posts here...

Virginia

Lorain, that's what I do when I go to my onc ... she's 2 hrs away and both Lowe's and Home Depot are on the way (about 1/2 hr and 1 hr respectively.)  I'd better start getting my list together because I'm going next Tuesday!  (I also need to make a hair appointment, since I get my hair cut 1-1/4 hrs away, also on my way to the hospital).

I'm always a little nervous leading up to a check-up.  I'm glad it only happens every 3 months now!

Hi...anyone?  Guess no one posts here anymore.

Today is the one year anniversary of my last chemo!  Two more Herceptin treatments and I am done...

Ok girls...I guess everyone is doing well...  I still think of you all often...

Virginia

ps.  I STILL haven't cut my hair.  This avatar was taken on 6/21/08, my 1 year anniversary of my last chemo treatment. 

omg Virgina and Liz,,,,,,,you guys look great. 

I knowwwwwwwwww,,,,,,,,,where is everyone.  I come here every couple of days and no one is here anymore.  I miss catching up on everyone.  If you are reading this,,,,,,,,,please post and let me know how things are going.  I know that we have all moved on now that our treatment is over,,,,,,but I miss you guys too. 

The hair is coming in.  Finished herceptin the end of April.  Its about 2 inches on top and 3 inches in the back.  I need to go to the salon to get it trimmed up and hopefully she can give me pointers on what to do with it.  I still wear my wig as I'm just not comfortable with this short of hair.  Its funky.

Virginia,,,,,,,how is your dad doing?

Liz,,,,,,,,,,good deal on going to grad school.

Where is lil Traci?  Someone said she was moving to Texas,,,,,,,and I had her on my instant messanger list and left her a note one day,,,,,and her sister messaged back and said she was fine and that she would have her message me the following day,,,,,,,,but never heard from her.  She was also such an active person on here.  I hope she is doing well.

Please post gals.  I really miss the updates.

Cindy

Liz- I think you look awesome!  You kind of look like Lorain in your picture!  You guys could be sisters!!  I think it's so great you going back to school!  I guess this time will be a little less stressful with no treatments??? I admire you for going back...  I have my BS, but can't muster up the courage to go for my MS...  Maybe some day...

Cindy- Thanks for asking about Dad.  He was back in the hospital for 2 weeks.  He responded well to the diuretic...  But, he's acting kooky again.  It's heartbreaking.  I hope that it's not the onset of dementia.

Lar- Sorry about your stepdad.  My Aunt had it...and eventually succumbed to it...  I didn't really see her in the end...she didn't even know where she was let alone know who we were.  It's a horrible disease.

What else...I have 2 more Herceptin treatments...  They never made a big deal over me finishing chemo (and neither did I).  I think after the treatment in July, I might have to have a party...to celebrate.

My hair is getting straighter as it grows.  I had pin straight hair before, so it's now reverting to it's natural state...  You are right Lar, it's much easier to deal with "body" rather than poodle curls.  I do have some of those in the back on the bottom, but the top is fairly straight so I just blow it out with a big brush, then put some goop in it and I'm good to go.  It's almost 4 inches long!!!  Craziness.  I am getting close to MAYBE breaking down and going to the hairdresser...

I think Traci posts on the "I Bitch, I Moan" board.  We could go wrassle her up...  I know that she has already moved back to Texas (I have lurked over at that other board).

I too am worried about CindyKS.  I checked to see when her last post was and it was in April on this thread... 

Okie dokie...I guess I ought to go earn my paycheck...  Hope the other gals check in...maybe we can get some "action" going back here or on Yahoo...  I feel really sad when I don't hear from you girls...  I just like to "hear" your voices once in a while b/c I feel bonded to you....

Hugs to all (CindyMN, Lorain, LeeAnn, Traci, Mandy, and those I know I am forgetting...SORRY!),

Ginny