LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: Severn
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 08:48 PM

I haven't posted in a while, but it's time for me to start up again. I had to go through six chemo treatments two years ago for small cell cancer confined to the lymphatic system (now in total remission!). The sessions were MTW every three weeks, with two IVs hooked up to me on Monday (a longer day) and one the next two days.
I'll start posting some of the good and bad experiences as I have time to do so. You have yet another Chemo Sabe to share both the Chemo sob stories and the uplifting things that helped get me and hopefully you through. My stories and tips will be told from a man's point of view.

You are lucky to have a loving mate by your side. I had lots of help from my friends, but I lived and mostly travelled alone. I found that the other in the IV room were of great help and good supportive companionship, and I'm sure you'll find the same. Wonderful nurses, too, though some could hit the vein better than others.


Here, first off, are some travel tips to and from. I brought some of my own food when I could. The oncologists had candy and munchies, but no substantial food. I also brought both books and a CD player with varied music to match whatever kind of mood the long wait put me in. I felt good enough to make the drive, but I set up an emergency network of friends between Rockville and my home in Laurel, about a 25 mile drive, of places I could stop and be welcome if I ever felt faint. I luckily never had to use them, but they were there.

They fill you full of fluids to make you urinate while you are there and a plastic container to measure your constant flow during the day, the volume of which slowly decreases, but I found it easier to go home the back roads with stores and restaurants rather than risk an interstate rush hour jam with no place to go. I often had to make 2-3 "rest stops" on the way home.

Tell me if I'm doing any good. I'll stop if I'm not. tell me if you'd rather like them as PM's

If I am doing some good here, the next installment will be:

THE CHEMO CHROME-DOME THING

Lots of luck and a whole lot of best wishes,
Severn

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 09:03 PM

Repeat after me, gn-zer...

"Bald womenz is sexy"...

Hey, that don't mean that other womenz ain't, mind you...

B~

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 11:03 PM

Michelle, I'll be out of the BS section for Lent (see prayer chain thread). But I'll see ya's at church.

~S~

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 06:25 AM

Severn,

   Keep it coming! I had an IV yesterday but my next chemo session will be with a port that I am having put in on March 1st. I did tons of drinking before yesterday's treatment to help my veins be more accessible and it worked! Just one stick. All my treatments will be 6 hours. The lady that sat across from me was there for her first treatment too, although she already had her port. It turns out that she had the same surgery as I did and the same surgeon...different cancers but we are getting the same treatment: Taxol and Carboplatin. They say the taxol won't make me sick but rather the preservatives that are in it. So far, I'm good.
    This morning I am off to the salon to have all my hair cut off. My surgeon was very clear that my hair would fall out. I'm not going to wait for it to fall out...it's one of the few things I actually have a say in! Also, the owner of the salon had put me in touch with 2 women who have had the same cancer as I do. I have talked to one of the phone and the other woman I met the day before my surgery and she had made me a prayer shawl (which I absolutely LOVE and haul to every appointment and sometimes church too!). Anyway, they are coming to the salon this morning.....I'm looking forward to meeting Candice and it will be good to see Carol again....who has said she has something for me...it makes me curious! So yeah...once people start talking about their experiences, it is helpful and helps to calm my nerves.
   If I learned anything yesterday, it's to go to the Dr. when you feel like something isn't right in your body RIGHT AWAY. If they send you home and you still think something is wrong, go to the hospital or another Dr. until you get an answer. I met a woman with Stage IV lymphatic cancer yesterday....she spent over 4 months trying to get her normal doc to figure out what was wrong and SHE had to ask for a CAT scan. He saw enlarged lymph nodes and did NOTHING. She finally went to the hospital and they were going to send her home but her husband INSISTED that she was staying and they were going to figure out what was wrong with her. They admitted her and the next day sent her to the hospital where I am going for all my treatments. They had a diagnosis for her THE NEXT DAY. How much time was wasted? How much dangerous growth occured? She lost the use of a leg, arm and her vocal cords....she can now talk but uses a can and the other arm isn't working yet. She's been through a lot and it looks like she might be ok but in the meantime, she's been through HELL. Anyway, I did learn that I need to speak up LOUDLY if something is wrong and it isn't being addressed.

Susan,
   I'll be at the noon service today but will not be there on Saturday (as discussed last week). So...you'll have to wait to see the new do!!!! I am having photos taken all along the way of this adventure and will put together a little media slide show when I can....might wait until I'm totally finished or maybe I'll put it up so folks can see what's happening along the way....whatcha think?

Time to make breakfast.

Much love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 10:26 AM

Michelle, you are attracting a group of marvellous people into your life.

love & hugs to you & all these people.

sandra

many media shows vs waiting for one show?

my vote is lotsa' updates! please.

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 10:27 AM

My mother had some photos taken before, so she'd have the image with all of her hair. I don't remember seeing any during chemo, but there were more afterwards, when her hair was back.

She didn't like the way her hair was falling out in clumps so one day she walked into a barbershop in her neighborhood and told the barber she'd like her head shaved. He took her to a chair in the back so it wasn't in view of passersby and did the haircut, and she wore a soft scarf-like hat until her hair grew back. The bare head felt much better than losing hair in gobs.

SRS

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 11:17 AM

Michelle, you are an amazing phenomenal woman!!

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 12:57 PM

whoop... the thread title changed again!!!

Still here with you, Darlin.

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: open mike
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 02:01 PM

Here's hoping yew will come thru this with flying colors.
http://www.dailypainters.com/images/origs/776/flying_colors_ii_.jpg


http://www.whitedragon.org.uk/articles/yew.htm

not sure what this is all aobut (role playing?) but it involved YEW
trees http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Yew_tree

here is a close up of the berries
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/gallery/showimage.php?i=44489&c=17

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxus_baccata

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 03:01 PM

...Susan,
   I'll be at the noon service today but will not be there on Saturday (as discussed last week). So...you'll have to wait to see the new do!!!! I am having photos taken all along the way of this adventure and will put together a little media slide show when I can....might wait until I'm totally finished or maybe I'll put it up so folks can see what's happening along the way.... whatcha think?

I've been remembering that you said you'd be away. You will find a few more changes in the wingchair-area.

===

Hardi and I remain grateful that your mom got right on it (and/or you did) when he loudly urged hurrying up what you were first told on scheduling-- that's a benefit to having an "experienced" priest, eh? And I agree LOUDLY that people need to jump right on stuff as you pretty much did with this whole thing. I'd love to see the pics as they come, at church, but I don't have an opinion on putting them up where others can see-- your call (with Pete), really?

GOGOGOGO!!!!

Glad this isn't a BS thread as I ain't in them (Lenty).

(Ya know I started that music thread in your honor, BTW?)

~S~

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 03:59 PM

To the top. Join the other wounded warriors with good news.
SINS

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 08:06 AM

I now am as bald as a body can get without using a razor. My stylist gave me the shortest buzz cut ever!!! It's taking some getting used to but it's going to be ok. The rest of this very short hair will fall out on it's own in a week or two. Can I just say that MAN....I had NO idea how much insulation my own hair provided? My head is chilly and so is the back of my neck!

    I also went to a Cancer Support group last night and made some connections...that was good. This morning I am taking my 2 wigs to a program put on by the American Cancer Society called, Look Good Feel Better. It's run by a beautician and she will show us how to care for our chemo skin, how to use make up to brighten pale complexions brought about by the chemo/diet and she will also trim our wigs. Did you know that wigs come with intentionally long bangs so they can be trimmed to fit YOUR face? I had no idea.

    Later in the day I am going to a Ladie's Guild luncheon and then my WW meeting. Both will be my first adventures out in public with no hair but both are very supportive groups of kind people so I'm not too worried about it.

    I'm interested to see how much less time it will take me to get ready this morning since there's barely any hair to wash and nothing to blow dry or style. I bet it cuts my morning routine time in half...YAY!!!!

    Anyway, I'll get working on the slide show so you can see....probably won't be ready until Sunday or so. Day 3 of my treatment (tomorrow) is supposed to be a rough day with bone aches and nausea.....here's to hoping that it isn't!!!

Love to all,

Michelle

PS. Susan.....thank you for the new thread in the music section...that's pretty darn special and I imagine it will touch many, many people!

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 11:20 AM

Sounds like you have everything in hand, Michelle!

I remember that my boss' wife had to stop doing the yard work because of the exposure to sun, for one thing. I can see why advice in cosmetics and skin care will make a difference in continuing to look like your normal self. Sans the hair, of course. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 04:34 PM

Michelle, you're an inspiration!

You're the perfect example of what sharing a problem can do!

sandra

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 07:09 PM

Ok.

First tummy upset. I've taken my nausea meds and am slowly drinking some Boost as my tummy is pretty empty and they say that's when you start having problems. Kinda hard to keep something in there when you just aren't hungry.

Anyway, it's been a busy day, more friendships made with women in my same boat....it amazes me how many people have cancer. I had NO idea.

When I am through this, I am going to volunteer to help others through too.....it's amazing what it does for the spirit. AMAZING. And you are all part of that too....you've helped me through every step of the way and there will never been enough words to cover the thank you and love that I have for all of you.

Now it's time to snuggle up with my kitty Dan and just rest. Another Dr. appointment in the early morning (plus the 2 hour drive) unless I'm feeling gross and then we'll rearrange. It's a visit with my surgeon so he can check my incision and see how it's healing (almost completely healed now...YAY!!!)....anyway, it's not a major appointment and can be put off a day or two if needed.

Gotta snooze.

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 09:54 AM

A can of ginger ale or Pepsi, warm. Pour a little in a glass until it is flat. Sip. It may help. And if it doesn't it isn't nearly as gross as Boost on the way back up.

Soda crackers to nibble just to keep something in your tummy.

Cold head? Now you know why so many hats.
LOL
Look for some, a bit more exotic, next week.

SINS

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slayi
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 10:47 AM

Lilyfestre, this thread has become a spirit lifter of its own. I would add that you needn't feel that you have to remain so positive- it is normal to have severe downs also- but your approach and response to your new 'adventure' is inspiring. Thank you.

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 12:31 PM

Day #3 after taxol and carboplatin chemo cocktail = being hit by a bus.

My bones ache EVERYWHERE. My shoulders and legs especially but I mean everything just aches...ankles, wrists, neck, hips and even my eye sockets.

I went to my appointment this morning...the surgeon checked my incision as well as the internal stuff...everything looks GREAT and I don't have to see him until late April.

The port goes in on March 1st. Next Chemo is March 9th. Right now I'm going to suck down some tylenol and heat up the heating pads.

Unbelieveable how yesterday I felt fine and today it hurts just to sit. ARG. Good news...it's only temporary...should last about a week.

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 12:43 PM

One thing about pain that my doc told me, not as comforting as heat, in some ways, but she said pain and cold travel the same pathways in our bodies and cold trumps pain every time, it will just kick pain out of the way, so using ice packs can really help with bad pain. I went to a massage therapist who basically said the same thing. When she feels a lot of pain she gets out her ice packs, including one large enough to cover her back. I'll bet your eye sockets would feel better even if you didn't want to ice your whole bod.:-)

Thanks for posting esp. when in such pain.

kat

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: gnu
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 02:15 PM

kat... "Thanks for posting esp. when in such pain."

Ebbie... "... your approach and response to your new 'adventure' is inspiring. Thank you."

Ditto and ditto!!

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 02:16 PM

Still here - I check this thread daily.

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 02:28 PM

Lost my post- what I said was, you are a truly beautiful woman, dear Michelle!

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: GUEST,Jack Sprocket
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 03:33 PM

I've only just come across this- best wishes, may you have all the luck we didn't have! May the healing spirits of Moses Maimonides, Lister, Fleming and Pasteur be with you, may Madagascar periwinkles hover about you, may all the pain you defy in the treatment be rewarded with love and pleasure three googolfold, and may you tell the tale an age from now.

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 08:25 AM

Lots of pain last night and this morning in every joint I own. I slept maybe 2 hours....got up and called the on call people. New drugs coming in 4 hours......a bit of narcotics....bring it on. I freaking HURT.

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 11:59 AM

The ice pack treatment works a treat on Rheumatoid arthritis pain. But if I am cold (as one may be after chemo and in mid winter) ice may not be useful.

I think mild to moderate pain killers, absolutely zero caffeine (this includes chocolate) and as much sleep as your body and pain will permit may be best.

Luckily for me, when I am in pain, I want to sleep, naturally. Sleepiness seems to come along with the pain. Guess it is my body's own pain defense. Unluckily for me, I fight it and keep soldiering on.

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: jacqui.c
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 03:53 PM

Sorry to hear about the sleepless night melove. Hope the drugs work well.

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: Severn
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 05:21 PM

I wrote this over on the recovery ward thread and had meant to write it here, where a whole series of "Chemo Chromicles will hopefully be posted. So I cut-and-pasted the proper portion over here as well, with a few additions and revisions to make it easier for Michelle to refer to. Here is a description of feeling completely drained as you hopefully never have in your life.
----------------------------------------------------------------


Welcome to what I call "Dishrag Days", where you feel like you have no energy whatsoever and you feel like a wet noodle. Sad to say, it only got worse for me. My Chemo treatments were three weeks apart, and whereas that time was not enough to flush out all the meds and toxins out of one's system, the number of bad days I spent increased after each treatment. I had to shop on the good days and stock up, because I didn't feel like even moving or getting out of bed much on the real bad ones, A good time to catch up on your reading. Sometimes sound or TV bothered me, sometimes it didn't. Sometimes I didn't want to do any of the options, but couldn't sleep either making me feel like there was no place for me to goand nothing for me to do to obtain relief. one can not know how it feels or how to properly describe the feeling unless, alas, you've experienced it yourself.

It might have just been me, but all the medicines they sent home with me with the caution messages about don't drive or even look askance at a piece of heavy machinery didn't make me tired at all, even the pain meds. I had to go back after almost a week of non-sleep and get issued some Ambien, which worked. When the dishrag days were over, I went against orders and quit the pain and sleeping pills until the next time that I became a wet noodle again, as I was a little bit scared of them. By the time of my sixth treatment, the Dishrag Days had gradually increased to about half of the three weeks or more. There were occaisional times of nausea and I remember watching the Porcelain Bowl as much as the Super Bowl.

After my sixth and last Chemo treatments, which were Mon.-Wed., around Friday night I was suddenly unable to keep food down from the cumlative effects of the meds still in me. I had a follow up Oncology appointment scheduled on Monday, and I tried to hold out. I tried the method I used when I had a bad flu and would start out with Ginger Ale and saltines or tea and toast and gradually work other food back in me, but it wasn't working. I probably should've gone to the horse-spittal late Sat. or Sun., but I waited until Monday.

They took one look at my blood sugar level after they finally hit a vein and rushed me back into the "hallowed halls of IV" from which I'd thought I'd graduated. It turns out my blood sugar had spiked to 1100 and I probably should have had a coma or stroke. The Doc will yell at you if your level goes over 200. When I finally got home, I found I had put a few things into wierd places, but it would be a while before I went home.

I was sent in an ambulance two buildings down the road to Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. While I was awaiting admittancde, it took them four people to be able to find a vein and successfully draw blood--I was THAT dehydrated! I spent that night, March 17th, in the ICU (peek-a-boo!) and I spent three days in various hospital rooms. It turns out that the shugar spike had given me permanent diabetes, so ironically enough, the date from which I could no longer hoist a pint was St. Patrick's night. I had gotten a Sheffield tankard as a get well present from a UK Catter friend, and, of course, since you can't drink alchohol during Chemo, I couldn't use it for its intended purpose until I actually got well. Now I couldn't ever hoist a pint of brew in it. The abstention during Chemo made it easier to accept and adapt to total alchohol abstainence.

Let that be a warning! You have a mate to take you to the emergency room if the nausea persists like that. I have the diabetes under control, but it'll alawys be there and I have had to adjust my living and eating habits accordingly.

Another food topic. Part of what they were giving me in my IVs was Cisplatin (sp?) which contains Platinum. I couldn't eat red meat, because the drug made it taste like iron. I couldn't eat canned food because you could taste the can in the food. It'll take a while after your treatments end until you'll be finally able to eat red meat. and canned food again.

When I'd been through those last days of constant nausea, my throat was so raw and sore that I had to eat nothing but soft foods for some time. Allpesause, pudding and Jello (all sugar-free because of my diabetes) creamy soups,boiler bags of Indian curry from Trader Joe's and scrambled eggs became favorites.

They'll very likely give you stule softeners to counteract the effects of the other meds. The pain pills, especially, tend to constipate.

This will be all for tonight. More stories soon (more pleasant ones) and any questions that you might have, feel free to ask here or by PM.

But there WILL be those bad days when you haven't hardly the strength or will to move, like a nasty flu, so notify your partner what to expect. Effects vary with the individual person. I'm just telling you my tales. It may affect you differently. they might be putting different meds in you.

Good luck and best wishes!

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slayi
From: Janie
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 06:55 PM

fwiw, Michelle, while my sister was going through chemo, and later radiation treatments, (she had breast cancer) thinking about the good the treatments were offering, as well as reminding herself that the treatments would come to an end and she wouldn't always feel so rotten helped her get through them.   She would say that it didn't help the sickness or pain, but it did help, a little, to decrease the accompanying misery, and that every little bit helped her to get through it.      She also eschewed keeping a" stiff upper lip" and allowed and accepted all the sympathy, empathy, and physical caring and support any of us could offer, did not hesitate to tell us what she needed, when she needed it, and to tell us to bug off and leave her alone when she needed that. That was more than 20 years ago, so I don't know if the chemo treatments and what can be done to mitigate have changed much since then.

As I've said before, I don't post often, but am still here, as are many others.

Janie

Subject: RE: LilyFestreUPDATE*CA*Seeking Chemo Starts Slaying!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 09:18 PM

Severn,

   I hear you about not wanting to read or watch tv or listen to any sounds but just lying in misery wondering when it's going to end. That was my day today. My bones hurt everywhere. I can't even begin to stress that enough.

    My mom stopped by, called from the top of the hill and said she had some goodies for me. Pete went out to meet her at her car (there was no way I could do that walk today) and she had flowers,a balloon, 2 cups of ice cream from McD's (which I really like and shared with my honey), vanilla pudding and 6, yes, SIX bags of frozen mango...it seems to be what I am living on these days. It's a a fairly long drive for her to get over here and clearly out of the way. She is so incredibly thoughtful!!!!

    I finally got to take the percocet and I don't think it kicked in until the second dose but then I did get some sleep and when I woke up, I just layed in my bed thanking God for some relief. :)

    Now that's worn down and I just took some more (after buffering my belly with more mango) in hopes that I will be able to sleep or at least be pain free in bed tonight.

    Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 08:33 AM

wishing you a restful evening.

sandra

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 09:20 AM

Holding you in my heart...

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 12:30 PM

I'm doing better today and am keeping a steady stream of pain medication going. I'm doing a whole lot of nothing other than watching tv, playing on the laptop and mostly just resting. I also called the woman who started her chemo the same day as me, taking the same meds and we have almost an identical diagnosis...ALMOST. I was curious to see how she was doing and she too is having excruciating leg pain that seems to be somewhat better today.

    I am so blessed to have a husband who is taking excellent care of me. He just made me lunch, knowing full well I'd eat only a few bites. He made it anyway. I love you Pete!!!!!

    So...no news today, just taking it ultra easy.

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: gnu
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 12:50 PM

SOOO glad to hear you are doing better.

Sev... great stuff! Thank you for the info.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 12:55 PM

You are very lucky to have a husband who loves you, Michelle. Make sure Pete takes care of himself too.
And for you - one day at a time. That's the best you can do.
Rest well.
Mary

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 01:27 PM

Well, darn. I posted last night but it didn't stick.

You've probably been told to choose your foods very carefully. My mother, for example, couldn't touch any of the cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) because they really tear up the inside of the intestines on the way through. You're losing a lot of cells other than just cancer cells, and the digestive system just doesn't like that.

I agree with all of those who advise you to look to the future. Get through one day at a time, past this chronic flu, and you will get well and feel wonderful.

Here's wishing you an ache-free day!

SRS

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 08:41 AM

Day 6 Post Chemo. I didn't sleep for beans last night even with the Tylenol with Codeine that they gave me. Tylenol never seems to do anything for me. I'll be calling the Dr. to get something different and also to see if heartburn is a side effect of chemo. I'm thinking it is because they gave me Previcet (?) by IV last time. I've had heartburn maybe 2 other times in my life....all I can say is YOUCH.

Overall, I'm feeling pretty good today. It's supposed to be icy out later so I'm going to the grocery store for a few things and then home. Tomorrow is Day 7 which is when my white blood cell count is predicted to drop drastically so I'll spend today cleaning around the house, cloroxing door knobs and such, washing our bedding and just getting things ready for me to flop on our bed for a few days....all as clean as I can get it. I won't be going out on Days 7 -10 for anything.

Gotta get going. Where is that Tums!?!?!? ARG.

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 08:49 AM

Heartburn is a thoroughly unpleasant experience. Lying on your left side with pillows raising your head above your heart may give you some relief.

You are doing amazingly well, Michelle. By now I would be flopping around and moaning.

How has the new hairdo been received?
Mary

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: GUEST,Neil D
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 09:23 AM

Heartburn definitely is a side effect of chemo but should pass within a week. And it's a particularly pervasive form of heartburn overpowering Tum's, Maalox, even Prilosec. Even the ultimate heartburn relief, baking soda in water drunk straight down, offered only the most temporary relief. What does seem to help some is anti-nausea medication because the two are related, even though for me the heartburn lasted longer than the nausea. If they didn't give you any to take home call your Doctor's office.
Chemotherapy is an ordeal, to say the least, but it can save your life. It takes a warrior's spirit to bear so keep fighting and know were all pulling for you.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 10:21 AM

LF,

This week the office staff at church are "piloting" the process of sending you the recorded service. It's one long warts-and-all MP3 from rehearsal to afterbuzz. We'll also record this week's, and that one may actually arrive before the "pilot" one-- bear with us, LOL.

The web guru also needs to retrain me on church website access.... so I can start putting each week's services ONLINE. Probably not the Wednesday service, weekly-- it's largely the same each week. Might get one recorded and send you that one. (Def one "keeper" online when I get that up and running.)

~Susan

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: jacqui.c
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 11:19 AM

Still here - not a lot I can say, just hoping that you are OK. Thank goodness for your wonderful man. Give him a big hug from me.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 11:41 AM

Heartburn gone, nausea has set in.

UGH. I wish I could just get sick and get it over with already.

It helps knowing you guys are here and I'll try the head over my heart thing and also will be calling the Dr.

*whimper and heading off to curl up*

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 12:09 PM

Finally, a whimper! I was beginning to think you were SuperWoman. So sorry, Michelle. Even knowing it was coming doesn't help with the disconfort.
Still here for you.
Mary

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 01:17 PM

Be very careful in your food choices, and when you share anything, NO DOUBLE DIPPING. I can't tell you what exactly the physicians or nurses tell you about contact and intimacy, but I remember hearing my bosses' wife remind him about not dipping a carrot stick in the ranch dressing again after biting off one end. I think it's a good rule anyway, but one you need to pay special attention to if you want to avoid catching any opportunistic bugs going around out there.

One more day, one more footstep. Reminds me of mountain climbing, how when you get to the steep higher elevations you do what they call the "rest step," a method of stepping, breathing, stepping, breathing, and slowly getting there. One step/day at a time.

SRS

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 03:43 PM

I'm still here, too, dear one. You shine!

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 03:44 PM

Michelle honey

Didn't they give you some anti nausea meds? I echo Sins. You have been phenomenally strong throughout this ordeal.

hugging you gently

tam

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 03:52 PM

Ummmmmmm, seems every time I bring this up I get "the blast" from the usual blasters but...

...the evil weed ain't all that evil... You don't have to smoke it to get the goodun's outta it either... Plenty of recipes... Combats alot of the side effects from chemo... Not all that hard to find, either...

B~

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: jacqui.c
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 05:04 PM

I've heard that you can bake it in cookies and cakes............

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 05:27 PM

We have medical outlets for it all over Colorado...in fact there's one at the end of our block and around the corner.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 05:52 PM

Hang in there Michelle - There's a lot of support out here !

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 05:54 PM

500