lindya Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 Sorry to hear it's been particularly rough lately. I hope Dazed soon, as his experience and insight is very valuable for you. Link to post Share on other sites
climbergirl Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I have been hanging in there. This past round was really bad, and I'm dreading the one coming up on the 22nd. Been very down about it, actually. At least it will be the 4th one. Only two more after that. Nothing new really. Just increasingly worse symptoms each time. I sleep a lot more now. My taste has changed. I can't eat any meat now - the idea of meat makes me sick. Coffee (once my lifeblood) makes me sick. It reminds me of food aversions I had when I was pregnant. I am down to fruits and vegetables - mostly raw, but sometimes cooked. I can eat pasta, rice, grains and cereals but I find that mostly I just want fresh fruit. Any kind will do. I'm partial to watermelon. I'm hoping to hear an update from Dazed too. I hope he, his wife and his family are doing well. I've been thinking of you, LB, and I'm hoping you're feeling better today. Did they say that symptoms get worse with each round of chemo? My update: Her surgery went as well as can be expected, but still have to stain the lymphs to see if any cancer is there. Now she has 5 days a week for 6 weeks of radiation. The thought of surgery didn't bother her as much as this does. You're half way there, LB...hang in there. Link to post Share on other sites
Author LucreziaBorgia Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 1. Did they say that symptoms get worse with each round of chemo? 2. My update: Her surgery went as well as can be expected, but still have to stain the lymphs to see if any cancer is there. Now she has 5 days a week for 6 weeks of radiation. The thought of surgery didn't bother her as much as this does. 1. Yes, it is cumulative. The more you have, the worse it gets. At least for me it is halfway done. I am dreading these next three, but I keep telling myself it will be over eventually. 2. I hope that her nodes are negative, and that she is holding up well. I will be thinking about her. I can understand her thinking. Surgery is a breeze compared to treatments. At this point, I'm hoping that my doctor will opt for a mastectomy - and if he takes one, he has orders from me to take the other one too. I would gladly give up my boobs to know that I will never have to go through this again. Link to post Share on other sites
DazedandConfused66 Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 (edited) Hiya LB! All fine here. We have another surgery coming up middle of February to complete my wifes reconstruction. This will be more symmetry surgery to "nip and tuck" the remaining breast and the new one to make them match. My wife is actually pretty excited about it as she's naturally a D cup and was looking forward to a nice C cup instead. Honestly, the only part that worries us is that we've heard of some loss of sensitivity in the "good" remaining nipple if they nip or tuck too much. But thus far we've been amazed with our surgeon, his care and his skills. My wife has had all the doctors that have attended to her (she's been under 'team' treatment) gawk over the new boob and comment about how amazed they have been at the work this surgeon has done. I guess they are accustomed to seeing a lot of TRAM flaps and just inserts, and had no idea you could rebuild a boob out of tissue to look so well. I can even speak as her lover....it's amazingly 'natural' looking and feels almost like the real thing. No nipple on that one yet, she's still deciding what she wants to do. Tattoo the whole thing or nipple reconstruction and then just tattoo color and the surrounding area. OK, so enough booby-talk for one email, heh. LB, you know I've never pulled punches with you, and I can only offer encouragement that you are, indeed, almost done with the treatments. The last few are gonna be hard, I can't and won't lie about that. If it gives you any comfort at all, however, you are responding to treatments about as good as can be expected. Each one will knock you down further, and the climb back up gets tougher. But only a few more. And I totally agree....chemo and radiation combined were far worse than the surgeries. I think the difference is with a surgery you have something to "hold" and to "protect" with your incisions so it's psychologically easier to nurse yourself to health. But with chemo....dear god, your whole body aches on a level that is difficult to comprehend unless you've been there. My wife described it to me (at her next to last treatment) that it was like having stomach flu, normal flu, PMS and a migraine 24 hours a day for a week or more straight. Without any energy at all. Yeah...it's nasty. But just focus on the "prize" and that's the day AFTER your final treatment. That marks the day you hit rock bottom on the misery scale and start the road to recovery. It's also the LAST gasp of breath from the Enemy as you drive it out of your system. If you feel miserable, imagine how the cancer is slowly being choked to death by the drugs. Such is the nature of systemic treatments for the disease, unfortunately. But the REAL question on my mind is this....end of chemo means you need to have a party to celebrate! What's the plan and can I bring a keg? Edited January 15, 2008 by DazedandConfused66 Link to post Share on other sites
Author LucreziaBorgia Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 So, round four was yesterday. Some of my anti nausea meds got switched so I don't feel quite as sick today. I know I will be, but I don't feel nearly as bad as I did last round. Only two more to go. They say its darkest before dawn, and they knew what they were talking about. Its pretty f*cking dark. I'm getting there though. Slowly. Surely. Link to post Share on other sites
Kasan Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 So much has happened since your diagnosis in September. Four months and look at how far you have come LB. Think of where you will be four months from now! It will be May, the leaves will be out, the flowers blooming and you will be cancer free. Keep your chin up LB-- Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeadlegs Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 It's been awhile since I've posted, but I haven't missed a word. You've never left my thoughts, either. You're truly over the hump now, it's all downhill, as the saying goes. I hope the new meds kick that nausea in it's ass! Here's to continuing to feel good, LB! You're so inspirational, and I love the new avatar. It's a bit "lighter" than the last and that seems appropriate since your situation continues to improve. You have shown a standard of strength I would hope to be able to measure up to. Thank you for sharing it. You have done so much for so many, simply by posting. Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 LB, I'm glad they switched your anti-nausea meds. Maybe you won't be as sick later on..I'm crossing all my body parts (boobs included, hehe) for good luck. 2 more to go. Sucks, really sucks, but 2 more to go! Circle the final date in your calendar. Hugs, and check your PM. Link to post Share on other sites
Author LucreziaBorgia Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 Hey, got that PM! Thanks! My exH has a way to help me with that. Round four down and the drug go round: So, I came to exH's to stay for a few days and part of packing meant getting together my medicine bag. Here is what is in it (This does not include the six or seven IV bags I get at each chemo treatment): Neupogen (shots) - to boost my blood cell counts Lexapro - antidepressant Levoxyl - thyroid hormone (my thyroid was removed 1997) Prilosec - for the acid reflux I get after each treatment Promethegan - anti nausea Alprazolam - anti anxiety Lorazepam - anti anxiety and anti nausea (works really well!) Prochlorperazine - anti nausea Hydrocodone - pain relief from the bone pain Zovirax - for fever blisters Emla cream (lidocain) - to put on the port to numb it before plugging me in next up... Emend - one of the supposed best anti nause drugs on the market. Nice eh? I'm terrified that I will mix up something wrong. I hate taking pills. I don't take them all at once, and only one or two I have to take every day. Better living through chemistry, I guess. Suffice it to say that I fee much better today than I did a few days ago. Lots going on. I am emotionally stretched out in many ways, but today is much better day. I haven't even gotten sick yet! The Lorazepam makes me feel seriously stoned, but I would rather feel that than be dryheaving my guts out praying to throw up. I know that I will get sick, but not today at least. Link to post Share on other sites
Jade 02 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Hi Luc(i like that nic ring huh) Ok I am so sorry for you sad new. But Mabey this will help My mom is a 20 year breast cancer surviver. I wish you the same luck. be strong physically,and mentaly,you have alot of peeps who love,and care about you,and never met you. IM ONE!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
JamesM Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Like others here, I read your thread every time I sign on. I just wanted you to know that I think of you a lot throughout the day. Whenever I hear of breast cancer, I think of you. Whenever I think of courage, I think of you. Whenever I think of possible situations that can be frightening, I think of you and what you are going through...and how you are handling it. Just a few days ago, my wife had some tests done at the hospital for stomach problems. I thought of you and how you come to the hospitals frequently. And when my wife received good news, I thought of the other ones around us being tested who may not have such good news. And then I thought of you and how you have dealt with the news given to you with such courage. You are an inspiration. A couple of weeks ago, a family member received the news that she had pancreatic cancer. Her outcome is not favorable. She has little hope for recovery. And I thought of you...how even though your diagnosis was grim, the prognosis is considerably brighter. LB, thank you very much for keeping us updated with your thoughts, your fears, and your experiences. I think I can safely say that your words have been an inspiration and encouragement to most everyone who reads your posts. Again, thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
Fun2BMe Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Glad to hear you're doing ok even though you're on so many meds that's kinda scary. Just wanted to stop by to see how you were doing. Link to post Share on other sites
frd150 Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Hey Lb, Still checking and still reading. Sending you good JU JU. Keep it up:) FRD. Link to post Share on other sites
Art_Critic Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Hi LB.. I love your avatar.. Always thinking of you and how your doing.. Wishing you well.. Do you still keep up doing all your graphic design and 3d stuff.. I take it you did your avatar ? Link to post Share on other sites
melodymatters Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Hey LB, you are the coolest ever ! Hope one more inspirational story won't make you gag, but my mom just passed the ten year mark on a particularly vicious form of endrometrial cancer. Now, her docs say she has no more chance than anyone else to get that, or any other cancer again. And damn, but that woman has lived more life in those ten, than she ever had before. I hope you take this wretched thing and turn it into the best vodka and lemonaide cocktail ever. Words fail, but you are a hero.... rock on LB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :bunny::bunny::bunny: Link to post Share on other sites
Author LucreziaBorgia Posted January 26, 2008 Author Share Posted January 26, 2008 Hey all. Still hanging in there. I am so very tired this time around. Not so sick this time around. I got my doctor to put me on something stronger that keeps me from being too sick. It knocks me out, but I'd rather walk around feeling stoned than dry heaving. And damn, but that woman has lived more life in those ten, than she ever had before. I am happy to hear about your mom, and hearing about her living and I mean really living her life is an inspiration. It is certainly what I aspire to. Sometimes I feel like my life is over, and then I hear stuff like this and think... this may be the end of my old life, but a new one is right around the corner. I want to live like your mother does. I take it you did your avatar ? Ah, don't I wish. I'd be rich if I were the people who created the program that made that. It is called Meez - a fun little place I like to go to waste some time. I'd love to see all my LS friends in the form of Meez! Just wanted to stop by to see how you were doing. Fun, I hope you are doing well and hanging in there. A couple of weeks ago, a family member received the news that she had pancreatic cancer. I am sorry to hear that James. I try to find the right thing to say but its hard with that particular kind of cancer. It is a hard one. I hope that her doctors and onc team can help her through it and that she will be able to fight hard against it. My mom is a 20 year breast cancer surviver. I hope to be also! 20 and then some. I'm glad it worked out for her. Does she still have any residual problems from it? Overall, I'm making it ok. Nothing too new interesting or exciting going on. My kid has pinkeye, but that is about the highlight of my week. Link to post Share on other sites
Art_Critic Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 (edited) It is called Meez - a fun little place I like to go to waste some time. I'd love to see all my LS friends in the form of Meez! How is this for me ?.. I'll keep it up for you for a while... Edited January 27, 2008 by Art_Critic Link to post Share on other sites
Author LucreziaBorgia Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 How is this for me ?.. I'll keep it up for you for a while... Hahaha.... that's perfect! :D:D Link to post Share on other sites
White Flower Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Hahaha.... that's perfect! :D:D Hang in there, LB. We're all routin' for ya:) Link to post Share on other sites
SpanksTheMonkey Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Hello there LB I hope your feeling better today best wishes with the treatments :0) Thank you for telling every one about the mezz web site its cool I put mine in my profile. Link to post Share on other sites
Author LucreziaBorgia Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 Hello there LB I hope your feeling better today best wishes with the treatments :0) Thank you for telling every one about the mezz web site its cool I put mine in my profile. Your Meez is so cute! I love that site. When someone first told me about it I was like.... whatever. Ha! Now I find myself going back again and again. It gets addictive. Link to post Share on other sites
JamesM Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Interesting article that may help or reinforce things for you, LB. http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/01/28/hm.cancer.kids/index.html Link to post Share on other sites
Author LucreziaBorgia Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 James, that is a great article. I let my daughter cut off my hair and shave it down the night before my first chemo. We have it on video. If we ever get it up on Youtube, I will probably put it in my profile. It was funny and sad at the same time. Link to post Share on other sites
serial muse Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I read that article yesterday too, and thought of you, LB. I hope you're feeling well today! ...got a Meez pic in solidarity. Link to post Share on other sites
marlena Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 LB. I just took a stroll down memeory lane and saw your supportive posts back then when I so needed to vent. Just want to chime in with the rest in wishing and hoping and praying thay you are feeling better. Link to post Share on other sites
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