Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part III - GAGWTA!

[wdw4us2]

MaryAnn - Good news from your ENT! I understand your feeling about your DH being away. Mine was only gone for three days and it seemed like forever.

I ended up getting weaker and weaker as the weekend wore on. Shortness of breath and some dizzy spells, too. I talked to my friend, who is a nurse at my oncologist's office, and she told me to come in first thing on Monday for my labs instead of Wednesday. Hemoglobin is down more than it should be, but not enough to warrant a transfusion. They gave me a Prokrit shot instead so I can have my fifth chemo on Friday. Starting to feel a bit better today.

We are busy preparing for DS's trip to San Diego on Friday. He is going with his school choir for five days which includes a two day competition. He is so excited! I wish I was going with him. I'm starting to get 'cabin fever' again. I haven't been anywhere (except the hospital in Miami) since our WDW trip in November.

 

[CherylDan]

Just wanted to stop by with a quick hello...we are back from disney, but I managed to pick up a cold and am completely worn out. I'll check in again later....in the meantime, GAGWTA!!!

 

[NHAnn]

GAGWTA!!

I have been having a terrible time posting, have lost a few long and a few short ones in my attempts in the last weeks

SO, just want to let you know I am alive and well...

Am reading along and thinking of you all.

Special thoughts and hugs to those in treatment or other life challenges!!

Love seeing some of the "old-timers" here and warm welcomes to the newer friends!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Lisa - Hoping the procrit helps and that the chemo on friday is bearable I know what you mean about the cabin fever. Its worse for me as I dont even have a van anymore. That will still have to wait, we need a roof and appliances and furniture.

Cheryl - welcome back. Sorry you have a cold. Cant wait to hear about your trip

Ann - nice to "see" you. I am sure you are looking forward to spring weather.

I made an appt. for a blood test friday as there were no sat. appts.One of the ds can take me. So the next. friday I will try for the B12 shot. I feel tired, so we will see if its a b12 or anemia problem etc.

GTAGWTA.

 

[CherylDan]

Feeling human again today, lol. Fever is gone.

How's everybody here doing?

Trip was good. Weather was great, even a bit warm at times. We hit the parks in the morning, and came back to the house every afternoon for naps! Well, at least I napped. Went back out at night. It was really busy, apparently a lot of people were on Spring break at the same time. We weren't all that concerned with hitting all the attractions, just rather took it easy and ate a lot....Whispering Canyon, Kona, Raglan Road, LeCellier, Chef's, Boma, Mama Melrose, Plaza, House of Blues, 50's, and a few counter service, and a few off site. Yep, this trip was a lot of eating!!

Speaking of eating, DH and DD21 went to Victoria & Alberts. DD is a culinary student, same school that the chef from V&A graduated from, so she wanted to go....I am SO NOT into that type of fancy food, so it was just the two of them. When V&A called to confirm the reservation and ask if there was anything special being celebrated, I told them about DD being in the CP, and how she was a culinary student where the chef is from, so she wanted to experience dining there. Well, much to her surprise, after dinner, they were invited back to the kitchen for a tour and to meet the chef! Talk about some pixie dust.....

I thought that was very cool of him to do that. She said they chatted about five minutes and he was very personable. And, of course, they loved the meal. Well, DD didn't like one part... she didn't want to, but she even ate the caviar - only because she didn't want to be rude! She said it was awful.

DD26 joined us for a few days. Her DH did not, he does not like disney. Not at all. Something about a bad experience there as a child....

Anyway, it was a great week, and a good break. My hair started coming out more and more, so on the last night there I went and got a super short haircut. Feels weird, as it was getting fairly long, but at least I wont keep shedding long hair all over.

Had chemo yesterday, it went fine, except for not feeling well and having a fever last night. But I'm feeling better today, just tired.

GAGWTA!!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Cheryl - sounds like you had an amazing trip. Your dd is beautiful and that sure must have been a special dinner with her dad that she will never forget.
Our trips are alot about the eating too. I like Kona,Chefs and Le Cellier from your list. Hope you are feeling a little better from the cold. Saw from another thread that your dd does not like ketchup. My youngest ds practically drinks the stuff.

Lisa - hope your chemo is tolerable today. Thinking of you.

Smiley and Marci - hope your treatments are bearable.

Laurie - have you decided between bc or boardwalk. I think that clown pool would scare me. We never actually stayed at boardwalk as youngest ds always had a clown phobia.

Linda - hope your dinner goes well

Dh is off to seattle and SF. He might visit his uncle tomm. I am going for the blood test today. I think I will go and get the B12 shot next week regardless if the gp has the labs back or not. And we all know how that went in the past. I wonder if he wil break his 5 week record again?

GTAGWTA. Have a great week end everyone.

 

[wdw4us2]

Just a quick update. My week has not been great and I wanted to post while I'm riding the steroid high.

After I had my labs on Monday, besides needing the Prokrit shot my Hematocrit level was high. Cisplatin often has this effect which also makes doctors believe the patient is dehydrated. Definitely not the case with me. After witnessing a full on Heat Stroke while I was in basic training in the Army I always make sure I am hydrated. The took me off all but one of my blood pressure and rechecked my levels on Friday. They came down, but not enough to have the Cisplatin today so they tried the Carboplatin again with lots of pre-meds. I only made it through a little more than half of that before I started having a reaction again. My local Dr. and the UM doctor will be conferring to figure out what to do for the last chemo.

I don't know how much more of this my body can take. During the past year and a half I've had bi-lateral mastectomies, left and right axillary dissections, full course of chemo and radiation, oophorectomy, exploratory laproscopic surgery, breast reconstruction and a full hysterectomy plus more. It's getting harder to maintain a positive attitude as my strength continues to wane.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Lisa - so sorry that you had so much trouble with the chemo. You have been such a trooper through all of this sista!

I know what you mean about feeling so weak and all the operations. When I had mine I was saying like what is next, I felt like I almost couldnt see the light at the end of the tunnel. But my aunt gave me a little pep talk and I hung onto my faith in God really tight.

My joke always was - how many operations can your body take in one year - my answer was 7! Throwing in the coma, near death, radiation, bowel resection, losing 60 lbs. etc.

It might take a long time to heal, just keep being positive. I just get up and say thank you God for today, even if iit turns out good or bad, thanks for giving me another one. I also think of the Disney song, theres a great big beautiful tommorrow shining at the end of every day. Sometimes ds would sing that to me as a joke. O.K. sometimes it wasnt so beautiful and had lots of pain etc.

You are doing a great job with all you are going through. Keep fighting tough sista.

 

[CherylDan]

Lisa sorry you are having such a hard time. You've been through so much in a short amount of time, with next to no time to adjust. It's OK to give yourself permission to chuck that possitive attitude right out the window for awhile. Give yourself a break, vent, get mad, throw something and have a good cry. You'll feel better after releasing some stress, and when you are ready, pick the positive attitude back up and carry on. Only one more treatment, just hang in there a little bit longer! I hope you are feeling better soon.

MaryAnn, hope all went well with your blood test. Hopefully you'll get the results in a more timely manner this time! Wow, your DH is gone again? My goodness, they sure do keep him busy.

I ended up getting an antibiotic today, fever just keeps returning, and I'm coughing up crud, and generally feeling like crap. Oh well, such is life. Haven't done a darn thing since we've been back....the clothes are even still in the suitcase. Maybe tomorrow.

This thread has been really quiet. Where is everybody?

Hope you all have a great weekend. GAGWTA!!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I am up late. I wonder why. No dh=no sleep. He has been good and calls me alot. He told me his aunt died so he was planning on seeing his cousin in seattle but he left for the funeral in california. He is still seeing his uncle. This was his lst wife. He is on #3 now as #2 died. We will send some donation as they requested to a golf organization for kids.

Cheryl - Sorry you have to have the antibiotics but hope they get you better asap. I am thinking of you and googled reclast. I have read some horrid and I mean horrid stories, like pancreas shutting down, heart and blood clot problems, bone pain that has never gone away. I am seriously thinking of not getting this now. Dh also was not keen on the idea either. I think I need a long talk with the endo about this. I dont see her until July.

I think I might do a little thread to see if anyone else has had these problems here on the dis. Reading that scared the daylights out of me.

Today I had a new girl do the blood test. She was terrrible. Couldnt get the blood out of me, keep moving the needle and pinching me. She apologized at the end. She couldnt even get the tape on right. I know everyone has to learn sometime, but why on me?

DS19 is considering nursing. He just read the statistics for the state univ. They say its very competitive. 600 people apply and they take 60. I think the only thing he would have going for him is that he is male. We shall see.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

So where and how is everyone? This thread is too quiet. Hope everyone is doing well.

Linda - I am so with you on the Barefoot Contessa thread. Amazing how she said yes. You brought up alot of good points. Loved your quotes.

Dh is coming home tonight on the red eye, actually tomm. morning. Ds21 car has died so we are working out a plan for that. Its in some neighborhood right now.

I am so tired all the time. I think I can get the B12 shot on friday maybe?

GTAGWTA

 

[wdw4us2]

Still not feeling great from the chemo last Friday. It seems as though it takes longer to recuperate after each one. Wicked weather here yesterday, too. Lots of thunderstorms, but we really needed them. Wildfire danger was becoming high.

DS is having a great time in San Diego. His chorus tied for first (Gold) overall and the men's chorus actually did better than the women's for the first time. I believe it had something to do with the difficulty of the music they performed. He doesn't say much when he calls - just that he's having fun. They are returning late tonight.

DD gave me a nice surprise. She called me last Friday while I was having my infusion. She was at lunch with a friend who wanted her to go to MegaCon (similar to ComicCon) which was in Orlando. She kept telling me more about it and I finally asked her why she wasn't going. She said she didn't have enough money, but that she saved the best news for last - Spike and Glory from Buffy the Vampire Slayer would be there! BtVS is one of my all time favorite shows, so I told her to go and text her father when she was done to tell him how much he needed to put in her checking account - and to blame it on me. She got me an autographed picture of James Marsters (Spike) and had a nice conversation with him. When he asked why I wasn't there to get the picture she told him I was having chemo and he told her his Mom had just gone through it, too. Seems as though this disease is everywhere you go.

MaryAnn - Glad to hear your DH will be home tonight. I understand what you mean about not sleeping well when he's away - I have the same problem.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Lisa - sorry you are not feeling well. That was so sweet of your dd to get you that pix. I bet it made your day! Hope your ds is home safe and I am sure you will be hearing all about his adventures too

Cheryl - did you see my little reclast thread on the cb? Looks like no one has had this stuff?

Smiley,Marci - thinking of you both and hoping your treatments are going well.

Laurie - how are you sista?

Linda - our home opener is tomm!! Yippee! Although I dont expect the Yankees to do that great this year. They are sorely lacking.

Well I think dh is home. The limo had to take him directly to work this morning as ds21 used his battery to charge his car and now dh battery is dead and ds car needs a $300 alternator. $$ I see for our automotive future. Maybe dh might need a new battery too?

Ds19 is driving me crazy with his future college indecisions, changing his mind etc. He said he is stressing, now thinkis the univ. will be too hard. This summer he is taking as of right now, a microbiology class at the comm. college and an art classs on line, so that is 7 credits over the summer, plus working. I dont knw how this kid does this. I even told him you dont have to work etc. I am trying to encourage him, but dont want to tell him what to do etc. I walk a fine line. I just feel that he worked so hard to get into the univ, so now he should just go etc. He now says the nursing school applications are 2,000 and they take 60? Hmm. So he would also now need some volunteer hosp. work too. That would be easy since we have 3 around here. I just wish he would pick a career path and stay with it etc. I know he wants something medical related.

I thought I would get the B12 shot friday, but now I think I might have to help some lady at church do the communion set up for sun. She has to call me back. I might do it sat., but I would prefer friday.


GTAGWTA.

 

[Candy30]

HI Everyone!!! I have been MIA for so long!!! So Much is going on. My computer blew up and they blocked this site from work so I had no way to get on for a while....
You all have been on my mind. Since, a year ago, they discovered tumors on my spine between c1 and 2 and is difficult and dangerous to reach. This has been causing extremely painful spasms from my neck into my jaw and teeth I just recently had surgery because they thought a tumor there was thyroid cancer and had 1/2 removed. It ended up being benign!
I hadn't had a chance to catch up yet through the thread but I plan on it.

LMP- My girl!!! How are you?

Cheryl- How are you?

Lisa- Hi! Hang in there sweetie! You have a great attitude.

Honu- Are you still around? How are you?

I know I am missing tons. I missed everyone. I will be checking in from time to time.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Candy - so happy to "see" you sista!!. Sorry you have to deal with these complications. I am glad that the thyroid stuff was benign. Are they just watching your new tumors or coming up with a treatment plan that does not involve surgery? I know what you mean about the pain. My neck was killing me before they took all the cancer out. I still have bad pain on the L side.
My brief synopsis in case you dont want to read a years worth. Nothing too major. My stomach exploded or also know as the seroma caused a abdominal sinus and I had a constantly wet bellybutton for like 7 months. 2 courses of antibiotics later and it is healed. Just had a little "incident" that required a biopsy of my neck again, just needle biopsys, no surgery. They tested again for lymphoma,thyroid cancer and leukemia and all was negative, just a bad neck infection with swollen lymph node. I go for the big cancer testing in May, so we shall see.

I got to meet snappy/Laurie last May and we are meeting up again this May. Cashing in dh ff miles for 3 free nights at the GF and 3 free nights at the BC. Dh goes to china ALOT!. And if any other sistas are there we MUST meet up sometime.

Honu/Lisa - is in college and had an adrenalectomy. She is doing well and off to disney soon I think.

Wishing you all the best sista. Hang in there and keep fighting tough.

Now dh car is dead. I am out of bread, groceries etc, need to go to church etc. This is frustrating and oh did I mention Dh is leaving Monday morning for China again and will be back sun. afternoon. This is wearing on me. I think we will both appreciate this upcoming vacation. I also think he will be going to China again before our trip in May and hopefully his new boss will not make him go back to the west coast before then either. Ds was happy and he got a 90 on his ant and phys recitation testing. Now he is talking, pre-med. Will this boy ever make up his mind? I told him I feel like I am stuck in a tornado with you and keep spinning around with all your ideas etc.

GTAGWTA. Thinking of you all always. Thoughts and prayers for everyone.

 

[snappy]

Hi Y'all!

Sorry I have not been posting-major frustration with posting last week, losing several enormous posted (maybe you are glad I lost them?).

I don't think it was the computer, I think it is me. We had a good trip to New Orleans last week, found a used car to replace DD20's car that was totaled while parked in front of her house late in February.

My mom finally got an email from my brother so she knows he is not dead in Costa Rica, thank goodness she is not still beside herself with worry. So all good there.

I am pacing myself at work more. Still trying to catch up but making progress.

Thinking of you guys in treatment. Hope you all have a good weekend.

Glad you posted, Candy. You have really been through the mill, like our Lisa and Cheryl here.

Maryann, check your pms-need to know your days in Disney and when you plan on the GF tea!

Man, your husband is a traveling man, mine is pretty much in town but at the office way too many hours. Sometimes I feel like a single parent on a day to day basis, but he really comes through on the big things like finding a car for DD20, getting the title transferred and the car registered.

It is so nice to have our sweet daughter express such appreciation, makes it all worth it.

Nice weather here, a storm took care of the azalias after they bloomed their every loving hearts out, but everything is green and I am on my usual quest at this time of year to corner the market on pine needles for mulching. Mulch hides a lot of sins and the flowers and plants seem so happy when they are flush with pine needles.

I am posting this before I lose it!

GAGWTA

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon sistas

Laurie - I am sure your dd is so happy. Its nice she appreciates what you and your dh do for her. I think my ds are so UNappreciative at times. I have to remind them how blessed they are etc. I will send you a pm shortly.

Lisa ,Cheryl,Smiley,Marci - thinking of you all and hoping that your treatments are bearable

Linda - I am as my Yankees won. They are being called "underdogs" in the league this season. Sigh.

Candy - could they use a Davinci robot on you? That is the big thing here now for alot of surgery at the univ. hospital.

Cheryl - when do you pick your dd up from the college program?

Lisa - how did your dd make out in the Disney job search?

Sha - will you be in Disney around May 20th?

Dh car is in the shop. Supposedly they are checking out the battery. DS19 got a good raise from the pool co. He told them he had a much better offer and he did but this works out better for his summer college schedule.I think he is getting like a $1.70 an hour raise., He should. He never failed a health inspection which the co. gets fined for if they do, tried to save that guy whit h the cpr incident etc. We are getting our taxes done sunday. Strange, but they said that is when she works, not sat., so we must do it since dh is going away. etc. I am having ds take me to church tomm. to meet the lady to do the communion, also I need to hit the grocery store, the taxes, packing with dh for the trip, etc. Busy will be my week end for sure.

I won 2 books this week, hmm, why can I never get a disney pin code or win a disney trip??

GTAGWTA. Have a great week end everyone.

 

[smiley_face2]

Well I was sure I had posted a message here a long time ago, but I don't see anything, so I must have been dreaming!! My second chemo which they delayed by a week due to low blood counts went almost as badly as the first even with them giving me the antinausea meds by iv first. I ended back in hospital again with severe vomitting causing spasms in my esophagus which I have achalasia in. My whole intestinal system is really suffering with this, my achilies heal she called it. Thus they decided to reduce the treatment by 25%this time. blood counts were really good due to the extra neupogen injections, so last wed I was in for number 3 on schedule. They gave me my nausea meds by iv first again, then some more after. It has gone marginally better, no actual vomitting thank goodness, just lot's of nausea and pain in my intestines, spasms ets. I can't stop losing weight though, absolutely nothing appeals to me to eat at all. I'm forcing myself, but it is really hard. That's kind of funny when you look at what the tag fairey gave me.....Hopefully by next winter, this will be done with, I will be feeling better, our family will be stronger, and we will make our trip to Disneyland and I will be able to gain 5 pounds!! We are all still of course having such a hard time coping with our sons death. At least the 3 year old grand daughter has started eating again, and stopped pulling her hair out. The 1 year old had a temper tantrum on the floor in front of her daddy's picture though, she would not go up to mummy, just cried and yelled at the picture of her daddy. So very heartbreaking. Hubby is off to see a new psychiatrist this week to help him with his post traumatic stress, I really pray this fellow can help. I can't stand to see him so broken. A fellow I sat next to in my chemo treatments died last week too, that was very hard to cope with as well. He was the father of a friend of our youngest daughter, so it was hard for her to cope with too. Makes this horrible business far too real. As if we need any reminders right now about just how fragile life is. Anyway, one more of this type of chemo to go, then on to the taxol stuff, which she said is not has hard as this stuff. I really pray she's right.
Sorry if I'm sounding down, but I am finding it very hard to be positive right now. I don't want to just come here to complain.
Lisa I'm sorry you are having a hard time too, and I know how you feel about it hitting harder each time. I'm excited to hear anything about your daughter's Disney job search!!
Cheryl I hope you are finally feeling better!! You have a beautiful daughter!
Laurie really enjoyed your trip pictures!!
GAGWTA!

 

[snappy]

Glad you posted, smilie. it has been too long since we heard how you are doing. I hope your chemo treatments improve. You are one strong individual.

Your stories about your DD, your grand daughters and DH are heartrending. I continue to pray for all your family and you.

I hope you are able to regain your appetite soon. You need the nutrition. Are you taking Ensure or any other supplement?

It is good to have a trip to look forward to. I hope the anticipation and the reality of that trip helps you during the rest of your treatment.

DD20 is coming in today to pick up her car. We are going to barbecue steaks for her and her BF. I have cleaned up the house, the yard is looking good. I even decorated a bit for Easter-not dramatic but it sure is nice, lots of spring stuff, recycled from previous years.

I have managed to lose a bit of weight. I went to my first yoga and pilates classes yesterday. I need to build up a bit so I can do the things I want to do.

I am trying to talk my mom into joining me for at least part of my May trip. She is on the fence. My sister and her DH brought her with them to the Mississippi gulf coast this weekend, and they had a wonderful time on a short day cruise to Ship Island. They sighted quite a few dophins and ate seafood, both highlights. I am hoping that this trip will whet her appetite for more travel.

I am looking forward to seeing MaryAnn and her DH inMay. Anyone else going to be in the world? How about you, Sha, any chance to seeing your and your sweet mom?

GAGWTA! Hope everyone is having nice weather!

 

[wdw4us2]

MaryAnn - I hope your car troubles have been worked out. There's nothing worse than being stranded with no way to get around to get things done.

Laurie - Good for you with the weight loss! I have been such a slug lately - no energy to do any type of exercise. I haven't been eating well lately, either. I need to get back to my good nutrition habits again and fast!

smilie - I am so sorry you are having so many issues with your chemo. I wish there was something I could say to make it better, but there really isn't anything to do except hang in there. I'm taking it one day at a time now.

DD made a surprise trip home this weekend. She needed to get her birth certificate because she has an interview at the Disney Casting Center tomorrow afternoon. She is so excited! I am saying extra prayers that she gets hired - she will definitely need the money over the Summer. She says she is more nervous about this interview than any others she has had because she wants this so much. I'll keep you updated on her progress.