pamela
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
My daughter, Lauren started out with really long, thick hair. She got it cut to chin length right before she started chemo and donated her hair. She was on Gem/Cis and 5-FU. Her hair started falling out a lot after 2 or 3 months. She got it cut really short because she was getting hair everywhere. She never shaved it, but it was so thin you could see her scalp. If she had it to do over, she would have just shaved it all off instead of trying to hold onto it after seeing pictures of how bad it looked. We think it was the Cisplatin that made her hair fall out because she was taken off Cisplatin later and was only on the other two chemos and her hair started growing back. She is on two different chemos now and her hair is short but really thick and growing! She had a couple wigs, but was too hot in them. The only other side effects she had with Gem/Cis was being really tired and achy and a low grade fever for a few days after. Her platelets dropped a lot too from the Cisplatin. They have to be 100,000 or greater to get chemo where she is treated. Everyone reacts differently to every chemo. I hope your mom has an easy time and tolerates it well. As for things to do during chemo, Lauren brings her laptop, knits, watches tv, reads magazines,
snacks, and naps. Take care and good luck.-Pam
What a blessing and a miracle!!! Everyone wishes and hopes to get news like that! Here’s to the surgery to becoming a reality!!! All the best, Joanna.
Love and hugs, -Pam
My daughter, Lauren just celebrated her one year on Aug. 29th. She is so brave and is fighting so hard to overcome this disease.
Hi Vicki,
Just wanted to welcome you to this site and let you know there are a lot of wonderful people on here that will offer advice and support you along this rough journey. I am so happy I found this website last year. I am sorry to hear about your mom, but I know she is in good hands with you being a nurse practitioner. My daughter, Lauren is the one with CC. She is only 26. I hope to hear from you again and let us know how your mom is doing. God bless.
-Pam
Hi Jorrit,
Welcome to this site, but I am sorry to hear about your mother. My daughter, Lauren has CC. She was on Gem/Cis and 5-FU every other week from Sept. 2011 to May 2012. Her doctor discontinued the Cisplatin earlier than the other two because he said it can cause kidney damage. She is now on Oxaliplatin and an oral chemo called Xeloda. Maybe your mother’s doctors only want her on that chemo for six rounds because it is hard on blood counts. Lauren had a hard time keeping her platelets high enough and missed a few treatments. All I know is that will not be the end for our mother. There are many other options. Lauren also had what you call yttrium emolization or Y90 in May of this year. I wish all the best for your mother. Hope to hear from you again.
-Pam
Dear Melissa,
I was shocked and saddened by the news of your Mom’s stroke. How fortunate that her friend got there when she did. I will pray for her and hope things turn around. God bless you and your Mom and I am so sorry.
Love, -Pam
Teresa,
I think you are doing a great job and are just having a tiny lapse which is perfectly understandable. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I think your son will grow into a fine man with your guidance and that of family and friends. It has not been long at all and you are still grieving. Sending you love and hugs.
-Pam
Dear Lynn,
I know the feeling all too well. We just went through it last week with Lauren. You just have to take deep breaths and whether the news is good or bad, you have to find the best in what you hear. Try to get some rest. I wish you and George all the best.
Love, -Pam
Hi Leslie,
Welcome to this site, although I am sad another young person has had to find us. My daughter, Lauren was diagnosed with Intrehepatic CC in Aug. 2011 at the age of 25. She has a large tumor on her right side and several small ones on the left. Her large tumor started out around 17 cm., the size of a canteloupe, and is now 9cm. Most of this shrinkage occured when she first started chemo and was on Gem/Cis and 5-FU. She was taken off the Cisplatin early spring and continued with the other two chemos until May, when she had radioembolization with Theraspheres on the left side in hopes of killing all the small tumors so Lauren could have a resection. We were so hopeful, but they did not work very well and Lauren developed a new 4cm. spot on the left. They still aren’t sure if it is a tumor or from the embolization. Lauren is now on Oxaliplatin and Xeloda. She just had a CT scan last week and her tumors are shrinking again. I think different things work for different people. We go to University of Michigan Cancer Center for Lauren’s care. Her doctor has many tricks up his sleeve in case something doesn’t work. We are very happy there. Hopefully, one day she can have a resection, but she was told no way at first too. Try and stay positive and never give up hope. It is the only thing you have for sure. I wish you all the best and I would be happy to talk to you any time. You can e-mail me or check out the blog I write for Lauren listed under blogs on this site. Take care and God bless.
-Pam
Marion, Lainy, Gavin, Susie, Nancy, Tiff, Eli, Randi, Pam, and Lisa,
Thank you so much for all of your support. You sure know how to make two girls feel loved. We sure do appreciate it.
AttyGail- It is nice to hear from you and to know you care.
Betsy- One of these days we have to get together again! Thanks for the support and hope you are feeling good.
Julia- It is very nice to see you on here. I know it is hard for you, but thanks for the support.
Liz- With all you are going through and you find the time to congratulate Lauren speaks volumes. I am sending tons of prayers for you and dear Keith.
Tiff- No talk of surgery. She still has tumors on both sides. This is the amazing thing. Her large tumor started out at 17cm. It is now 9cm. Isn’t that crazy! I just wish those little ones would scram!!
Thanks again all you wonderful peeps!! We love you!
-Pam
Dear Anne,
I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I hope the pain you are feeling today is replaced by fond memories of times you spent together. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Love, -Pam
I am so glad you joined this group, Joe. There are so many amazing people. You will never feel alone and someone will always have an answer to any question and everyone is so willing to give support. I am the Pam from Pam and Lauren that wrote to you last week after you commented on my blog. Bless you and I will be praying for great scan results.
-Pam
Kris,
You didn’t hear what you wanted to hear which was resection and I think that was a huge disappointment to you.I think your doctors are being cautious, which is good. They wouldn’t let you go for a long time without anything if they thought things weren’t looking better. I am glad they aren’t throwing too much at you and making you sick. You have been having so much fun lately. Keep having fun and Nov. 2 will be here before you know it. You are always in my prayers.
Love, -Pam
