Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[DeeCeeSW]

Does the Claritin help with ANY of the Chemo agents regarding bone pain or just certain ones?

I was told to take it for bone pain resulting from Taxotere and/or the Neulasta shot.

 

[lookingforward]

I was told to take it for bone pain resulting from Taxotere and/or the Neulasta shot.

The ONLY thing that worked for me was prescription pain medication. I took it with some senakot and never had a problem. I had to take it for a few days after each chemo because I was in a lot of pain. I never tried clariten...noone told me that. The bone pain was the toughest part for me. Hang in there, aren't you half done???

 

[Sha]

I was told to take it for bone pain resulting from Taxotere and/or the Neulasta shot.

I was just curious as I have client who has had a lot of bone pain after her first treatment, but unsure of what she is getting, being in the home environment. Also its not Breast Ca its Lung. I am hoping she remembers to have the MD write it down when she goes on Monday.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Mom phoned yesterday to give me her timeline for next week.
She has her MUGA on Monday morning, port on Tuesday morning, MUGA results on Wednesday, bloodwork and chemo on Thursday if there are no contraindications.

I am glad she will have her first infusions before we leave for WDW, but I am also nervous about how she will react to them. And I am still waffling with the guilt. Maybe I should have shortened or cancelled our trip. But maybe she will do OK with the treatments and our trip can go as planned. Maybe the moon will fall out of the sky. And worrying won't change the outcome, right?

She is feeling better, so at least she isn't starting chemo from a point where she already feels sick.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

The ONLY thing that worked for me was prescription pain medication. I took it with some senakot and never had a problem. I had to take it for a few days after each chemo because I was in a lot of pain. I never tried clariten...noone told me that. The bone pain was the toughest part for me. Hang in there, aren't you half done???

Yes, I'm halfway there. Third tx is on Tuesday. I am finally getting some relief GI wise. I am getting together with family, where there will be food, like last week, LOL, but this time, moderation is key. I am really not sure if I did this to myself or if it was a combo of eating too much on the 4th and the meds. Of course, I am beginning to get a sore throat, not sure if it's allergies, but I do not want to delay tx. Just want it over with. Spoke with the nurse again yesterday and she thinks I should take Miralax daily for the rest of the chemo (end of the month). I see no logic in starting it today as I am just getting back to normal, so maybe I will take it the night befor tx and from then on. I brought up Senekot again and now she says I should stop taking that?!

Hope you are feeling well!

 

[lookingforward]

Yes, I'm halfway there. Third tx is on Tuesday. I am finally getting some relief GI wise. I am getting together with family, where there will be food, like last week, LOL, but this time, moderation is key. I am really not sure if I did this to myself or if it was a combo of eating too much on the 4th and the meds. Of course, I am beginning to get a sore throat, not sure if it's allergies, but I do not want to delay tx. Just want it over with. Spoke with the nurse again yesterday and she thinks I should take Miralax daily for the rest of the chemo (end of the month). I see no logic in starting it today as I am just getting back to normal, so maybe I will take it the night befor tx and from then on. I brought up Senekot again and now she says I should stop taking that?!

Hope you are feeling well!

I am feeling okay. The radiation "sunburn" is much, much better. Soon I will be expanded to full capacity. Hopefully my exchange surgery will be in Sept/Oct time frame. Can't wait! Of course this is all so sad without my mom. She would have been so happy I'm almost through the year of treatment. The tomoxofin is okay so far...knock on wood.

You are in my thoughts all the time. The chemo is tough. I had six and when I had the last one it was the best feeling.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

this is all so sad without my mom

Maureen, I would love it if you would pick up a copy of the book One Last Time by John Edward. I'm actually reading it again for the 4th time - I get something different out of it every time. I gave a copy to my SIL (to "keep at her bedside", I said) who just lost her husband (my DH's brother) several weeks ago (and we still don't have an autopsy report on). I wasn't sure if she'd read it or not but I saw her over 4th of July and she told me she is reading it and finding it comforting. What I like about it is how it helps one realize that our loved ones are very much still around us, we just have to know how to see the signs they're there, which you learn in the book. Anyway, I don't want to sound kooky, but I'd venture to guess you might enjoy it.

Dawn, I'd like to also say I hope your next treatment is better, but as I mentioned before, I had that agita all through AC despite a regimented anti-emetic schedule, too. Eat whatver you can tolerate, and stay away from your favorite foods.

And I am still waffling with the guilt.

jsg, try and enjoy your trip. You've done more than many adult children would do for their parents. It sounds like she's in good hands.

Well good news re the car - it appears the mistake that was made was an honest one, not a deliberate snake move. I called the owner of the dealership and he investigated. He admitted wrongdoing and fully apologized, saying he wasn't proud it happened, but that he believed it was not done maliciously. The poor salesman was beside himself and told me he didn't sleep all night over it (nor did I). At any rate, they sweetened the deal, but more importantly, I felt good about them, so I bought it.

I am going away locally for the week, will be thinking about all of you. GAGWTA

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am feeling okay. The radiation "sunburn" is much, much better. Soon I will be expanded to full capacity. Hopefully my exchange surgery will be in Sept/Oct time frame. Can't wait! Of course this is all so sad without my mom. She would have been so happy I'm almost through the year of treatment. The tomoxofin is okay so far...knock on wood.

You are in my thoughts all the time. The chemo is tough. I had six and when I had the last one it was the best feeling.

Maureen, more good thoughts for you! I am glad you are healing from the radiation!

Dawn - I hope your next treatment goes well. It sounds like you are well prepared to head off any side effects!

Linda - Glad you go the car worked out! Enjoy your time away! (OBM misses you on the photo boards. He said you haven't been posting much lately.)
I've done more for Mom than other adult children like my SISTER! But that's beside the point. I still feel kind of wrong about cavorting in the sun while she is undergoing chemo. I am trying to think of it like my boss said - 2 separate issues. I didn't intentionally plan to go to WDW smack in the middle of her treatment, and DH and DS have to have some of my attention.

 

[snappy]

Linda, great that you were able to get the car you wanted after all. A happy ending after all.

What kind is it?

Enjoy your new wheels and have a great week of vacation.

Laurie

 

[snappy]

Maureen, more good thoughts for you! I am glad you are healing from the radiation!

Dawn - I hope your next treatment goes well. It sounds like you are well prepared to head off any side effects!

Linda - Glad you go the car worked out! Enjoy your time away! (OBM misses you on the photo boards. He said you haven't been posting much lately.)
I've done more for Mom than other adult children like my SISTER! But that's beside the point. I still feel kind of wrong about cavorting in the sun while she is undergoing chemo. I am trying to think of it like my boss said - 2 separate issues. I didn't intentionally plan to go to WDW smack in the middle of her treatment, and DH and DS have to have some of my attention.

Sounds like a wise boss. You were just with your mom. If you cancelled your trip you would probably be at work.

I agree about attention for husband and son. They held down the fort whil you were with your mom. I think they deserve some time with you when you aren't stressed. I hope you enjoy your trip and compartmentalize your mom's treatment to the extent you can.

Laurie

 

[Pea-n-Me]

(OBM misses you on the photo boards. He said you haven't been posting much lately.)

Aww, tell him I'll be back. My laptop crashed and sent my hobby into a tailspin. I'd been in the process of editing several months worth of photos (I love giving photos to friends, and had a ton for other people, something like 20 folders), basically all since I got my dSLR, so I hadn't put them to disc or external hard drive yet and lost them. We're going to try a recovery but it hasn't been the priority these past few weeks between work, the car and traveling baseball (btw, my DS pitched a shut-out today that ended after 4 innings 12-0 ). I'm going to enjoy taking photos this week. Another thing on my to-do list is joining an online photo community, probably either SmugMug or DotPhoto where I can store my photos, edit, etc. I'm not crazy about the Olympus editing software, it's too advanced. I like my old HP software but don't have it on the new computer yet.

great that you were able to get the car you wanted after all. A happy ending after all.

What kind is it?

Thanks! I'm going to give you a quiz. It's the same car Ann has. The one I've pined for for 4 years, LOL. A real nice one.

Signing off. Have a good week everyone!

 

[Sha]

I hadn't put them to disc or external hard drive yet and lost them.

 

[snappy]

Aww, tell him I'll be back. My laptop crashed and sent my hobby into a tailspin. I'd been in the process of editing several months worth of photos (I love giving photos to friends, and had a ton for other people, something like 20 folders), basically all since I got my dSLR, so I hadn't put them to disc or external hard drive yet and lost them. We're going to try a recovery but it hasn't been the priority these past few weeks between work, the car and traveling baseball (btw, my DS pitched a shut-out today that ended after 4 innings 12-0 ). I'm going to enjoy taking photos this week. Another thing on my to-do list is joining an online photo community, probably either SmugMug or DotPhoto where I can store my photos, edit, etc. I'm not crazy about the Olympus editing software, it's too advanced. I like my old HP software but don't have it on the new computer yet.


Thanks! I'm going to give you a quiz. It's the same car Ann has. The one I've pined for for 4 years, LOL. A real nice one.

Signing off. Have a good week everyone!

Ah, that is easy,

Chrylser Pacifica. . . Ask me a hard one next time. Very nice car by the way.

Have a good time, Linda.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Sounds like a wise boss. You were just with your mom. If you cancelled your trip you would probably be at work.

I agree about attention for husband and son. They held down the fort whil you were with your mom. I think they deserve some time with you when you aren't stressed. I hope you enjoy your trip and compartmentalize your mom's treatment to the extent you can.

Laurie

Part of the reason our trip is so long is because I don't have to work the second week of August. My bosses are going on vacation with one set of grandparents while my young associate goes to stay with the other set. I thought staying en extra week at WDW was a better use of my time than coming home and not working! (I'm a nanny. Don't know if that has ever come up in conversation before. My bosses are the most incredible, generous, wonderful people I have ever met. "Princess" is 2 and she is very smart and sweet. I have been with her for a little over a year, but I have been a nanny for almost 15 years.) There has to be a balance between my mom and DS & DH, so hopefully I will find it!

Aww, tell him I'll be back. My laptop crashed and sent my hobby into a tailspin. I'd been in the process of editing several months worth of photos (I love giving photos to friends, and had a ton for other people, something like 20 folders), basically all since I got my dSLR, so I hadn't put them to disc or external hard drive yet and lost them. We're going to try a recovery but it hasn't been the priority these past few weeks between work, the car and traveling baseball (btw, my DS pitched a shut-out today that ended after 4 innings 12-0 ). I'm going to enjoy taking photos this week. Another thing on my to-do list is joining an online photo community, probably either SmugMug or DotPhoto where I can store my photos, edit, etc. I'm not crazy about the Olympus editing software, it's too advanced. I like my old HP software but don't have it on the new computer yet.


Thanks! I'm going to give you a quiz. It's the same car Ann has. The one I've pined for for 4 years, LOL. A real nice one.

Signing off. Have a good week everyone!

Yikes! Sorry about the computer! DH made me load the Olympus software into the desktop, but the Windows photo stuff is the default. When we put the memory cards in they go to the Windows folder first. There is probably a way to make the Olympus program the default, but I don't want to do that since I am more familiar with our computer than he is! We have the HP stuff, too, but it seems to freeze when I have played with it in the past.
Congrats to your DS! That's wonderful!!
Enjoy the new car!

 

[snappy]

jackskellingtonsgirl, how neat a job is that? As caring as you are with your mom, I bet your "bosses" know how lucky they are to be able to entrust their little one with you.

I saw you post I think on a DVC thread, are you staying at AKV? That is so cool. I definitely want to stay there someday. Can you believe we have been to Animal Kingdom a number of times but not the lodge?

Please give a trip report a la Laura's when you return. Her last one was such a good one, great pictures, great commentary, etc.

Linda's reports included some great pictures too.

I love visiting WDW vicariously through trip reports.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

jackskellingtonsgirl, how neat a job is that? As caring as you are with your mom, I bet your "bosses" know how lucky they are to be able to entrust their little one with you.

I saw you post I think on a DVC thread, are you staying at AKV? That is so cool. I definitely want to stay there someday. Can you believe we have been to Animal Kingdom a number of times but not the lodge?

Please give a trip report a la Laura's when you return. Her last one was such a good one, great pictures, great commentary, etc.

Linda's reports included some great pictures too.

I love visiting WDW vicariously through trip reports.

I love my job! I always thought I would do something in the medical field, then I thought social work. But I love being a nanny.

We are staying at AKV for part of the trip - the last 4 nights. We just bought at AKV in May, and we were able to convert some of our August "hotel" days over to DVC points. AKL is our favorite resort. We absolutely LOVE it there. I would definitely recommend it!

I imagine we will have a monster trip report since we are going for such a long stretch and since DH will have all of his spiffy camera gear. His pics may not be as good as Linda's and Laura's, but he'll give it his best effort!

 

[havinfun]

Did you ever wonder, after your own case, if there was "more at play" way back then? Like you were put there for a reason? I have. ...That, and some other related things that happened, has kind of haunted me a bit, especially when I got BC myself. I really wondered about us being in those circumstances together, seeing as our cases had some parallels which I was to see later on.[/QUOTE

]

I do think about how different experiences come back at times like this. I hadn't thought about that patient for years until bc hit me. Some patients you just can't forget. Some of those pts. have left an impact on my life. It's so weird and hard to explain. That just having a conversation comes back years later and is pertinent in my life. When the initial conversation occurred, I didn't think anything about it.

Years ago I had a young BC patient who coded and died on me in the hospital one night. We'd gotten close that week. We brought her back briefly and when we did, she called my name, then never regained consciousness, so calling out for me were her last words.

How sad her dying like that. It must have been hard for you when that happened.

 

[havinfun]

Havinfun

thanks for sharing that from George Carlin. He was brillant! I guess too I am one of the rare ones as I love to celebrate my birthday. I just became 40 and am loving it!!!! Also really found your post about you IBC a good reminder for me.

I sure am really happy to have birthdays much more now than before bc. As my friennd always said. "It beats the alternative. "

I am an LPN waiting to take my RN boards. Never a bad thing to be reminded to listen

.

Good luck with your boards.

My boss pulled me aside this morning to thank me for doing that vs just leaving a client after I do what I need to do with them (since I am per visit vs per hour right now).

It's nice she saw what you were doing and thanked you. Enjoy that and feel good about it.

 

[CherylDan]

GAGWTA!

Just wanted to pop in and say howdy! I hope everyone had a good weekend.

To everybody going thru treatment, healing from treatment, and waiting on results.

We had the bridal shower luau for DD23 this weekend. I'm happy to say a good time was had by all. A traditional luau menu was served, and the guest of honor had to wear a hula girl outfit! But she was a good sport about it. Here's a picture of my two DDs.

I hope everyone has a good week! I have a 3 month follow-up with the oncologist this week. It seems like I was just there....it's amazing how fast the visits seem to sneek up on me. It's always something of a reality check when I turn my weekly planner page over and see the appointment. But hopefully I'll be granted another 3 months of freedom!

 

[havinfun]

[

QUOTE]Re: Vegas, I was just talking to DH about Tom's birthday celebration, DH wants to go with me. DH is really NOT the Bette Middler type,

I got really excited that Bette was coming to sing at a local casino near me. I just looked it up and she will be here when I am at Disney, I hope you get to see her. I swa her in 1976. She was a riot. The audience was full of drag queens and were all most as entertaining as her. DH did have fun at that concert even though he wasn't a fan.

I am a bit aggravated that my taste buds and sense of smell are still caput. It is getting old. One of myTexas aunts made some peach home made ice cream for us on the fourth and all I got out of it was cold and a few extra pounds.

I remember my taste buds being off with chemo and the mouth sores. I was still hungry though. I hope it gets better for you soon.