sharimay
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Susie,
I had gem/cis last year with dex, emend and zofran. I only took the nausea cocktail of drugs on my chemo days. The other days post chemo I took oral zofran and that was it, along with iv fluids for 2 days. I did drop my counts with chemo so I was given Neulasta after my 2nd dose in a cycle. It would bring my white counts up, but not as high as yours have gotten. I also tolerated the chemo will with minimal side effects. I was able to work just about full time. I too am a nurse and didn’t want to take too much dex cause of the side effects. Good luck with your chemo and thoughts to you.
ShariLost soul,
I did an 8 cycle course of gem/cis from november 2010 to april 2011. I did have hair thinning, but not complete hair loss. I have heard that nioxin shampoo can help. I did find that the gem/cis was ok to handle. I didn’t have much in the way with nausea, but the meds for that are awesome. For me attitude is a key in keeping myself feeling good and I try to keep as normal a routine/life as possible. I am currently doing an oral course of Xeloda and the side effects are effecting me more. Good luck to you and I will keep you in my thoughts.
ShariHi all,
It has been almost 7 weeks since my lung surgery. I have been back to work for a few weeks and I am feeling good, but sore by the end of the day.
I did have my CT scan which looked good, nothing big, bad and scary. I had my tissue sent to Mayo where I had my original surgery, and they compared it to my original liver tumor and as expected it is the same. So officially I have mets to the lung. After researching and discussion with my oncologist, I have started a 6 cycle course of Oral Xeloda. I finished the first cycle, and am amazed how tired I get. This seems harder on me than the gem/cis was. But as with that this too will pass and life will go on. My life really is going on as usual, and hopefully this will go fast.
Until next time,
ShariHello all,
I have been feeling fairly well since surgery. I have some soreness, especially depending on how much I do, but not too much pain. I ventured out and had supper at the Olive Garden with my brother and his wife. It was nice to get some fresh air.
I have been thinking about what this means for me and this spot removed from my lung. I have a feeling that it might have been there for a while. I first had something show up on my CT scans in February. Unfortunately I did not have a previous chest CT to compare it to as all of my prior scans were of my abdomen and pelvis only. The spot at that time was 4mm and didn’t lite up on my PET scan. So I continued with my chemo treatments which I finished up the last week in April. I then had a CT scan in June and things looked status quo with my chest, abdomen and pelvis. I had a really good summer and had my 3 month check up in September. My oncologist is the one that noticed that the spot had doubled in size, still only making the spot 9mm in size. I then had a PET in which this spot lite up, so down the surgery path I went. I am grateful that I was able to have my surgery in Bismarck and didn’t have to do any traveling. It is still kinda hard to wrap my head around the spot being cancer. I am glad that it is the same cancer because I don’t know how I would handle the idea of it being another primary cancer. And I still think the news is good, they were able to resect it out and get clean margins, and there are no other signs of active tumors in my body right now.
Also of good news, prior to my very first surgery my CA 19-9 was elevated, and after surgery it was normal and it has remained that way even with this latest development.
Thanks to all of you on this website to offer words of encouragement, prayers and good feedback. It is nice to have a sounding board to bounce thoughts and ideas off of, especially those of you who know where I am coming from.Till next time,
ShariSo now that I am feeling a little less drugged up from surgery, let me tell a little more of my story. Everything with my liver looks good. I have no sign of any reoccurance in my liver or my abdominal cavity. They did see this spot in February and we have been watching it since. My oncologist has been in contact with the oncologist’s at MAYO to see what their recommendations are. So currently the plan is to let me heal from surgery and have a scan in November and go from there. They also sent my slides to MAYO to have them looked over too. Just needed to vent a little and get another opinion.
ShariHello everybody,
I really have been MIA the past few weeks. I cannot believe how things have gotten back to normal since finishing up chemo. I have to say that my energy is back to 100 percent. My labwork looks great. I just had a CT scan this week and things are unchanged from the last one. I have been spending my time getting back to a normal, chemo free, life.
We are all moved into our house and settled. Now comes the fun part of home ownership, landscaping and all of the fun stuff that goes with it. It really is nice to be in a place of our own. We were able to get the camper out to the lake for the first time and it was a wonderful time spent with family.
I want to thank everybody here for there support and encouraging words. It helped me get through all of the hard times. I wil try to check in more often now that we are moved and things are starting to slow down
ShariI had the most wonderful surprise at chemo today. My mom, 2 sisters, sister-in-law and brother came and visited me at chemo today. It was kinda weird to have people with me today. I am so used to flying solo at chemo, and with having chemo over the winter months in ND it really wasn’t the best time to be on the roads. And as with my family they came in style, toting balloons, a gift basket, and an awesome sweatshirt with the coolest logo on the back. I am the luckiest person alive to have the greatest family and awesome support system. Just had to share
I am all smiles today. I am getting my last treatment, keep your fingers crossed, forever! I have to say that I have been feeling good with chemo. I have the usual fatigue and a little bit of nausea, but for the most part I have been feeling not too much different. My biggest complaint is the weight gain. I know for most people its a normal part of chemo, but I still enjoy complaining about it. I think I had an easier time handling the cancer diagnosis, surgery and chemo. But the weight gain just plain pisses me off. Oh well accept the things I cannot change I guess. I am looking forward to regaining my strength and stamina and starting to exercise again.
Thank you to everyone for all of the words of encouragement and wisdom. I am supposed to have a scan in June and I am trying not to think too much about it yet. I am looking forward to summer and moving into our new house. My summer will be busy with settling into the house and starting on the yard. Oh and turning 30. It will be a fun and hopefully productive summer.
ShariTom,
I am just finishing up chemo. Gem/Cis combo. I have gained 20 pounds since starting. It has been the hardest thing for me. I can handle the cancer, but the weight gain has just pissed me off. I am hoping that with finishing up chemo and being able to work out again I will be able to drop the weight. I have lots of support and people tell me that it will get better after I am done with chemo. Good luck to you.
ShariHello all,
So I am getting Day 1 of cycle 8, my last cycle. I have been feeling a bit more fatigued as chemo wears on, but now that I am almost done I’m sure that will be getting better. I will be done just in time to move into our new house. We close on May 27th! This is our first house. After the year we have had it is nice to be able to look forward to something. Other that things seem to be status quo. I am ready to celebrate.
Shari
Hi Val,
Is your pain in your incision area? I don’t think it is normal either. I’m sorry we haven’t been able to have coffee life has been kinda crazy. I am around this coming saturday. Let me know if it works for you.
ShariHello all,
I am proud to say that I am finishing up cycle 7 today. My labwork has been looking good and I have been feeling good. I have 1 cycle left and cannot wait to be finished and for my body to recover from the beating it has took over the past 6 months. I am looking forward to getting back to the gym and hopefully I can lose the weight I have gained with chemo. I have also used chemo as an excuse to pretty much eat whatever I wanted, so I probably need to get back into eating a bit healthier. I think spring has finally sprung here for us so short and tanktop weather is in the near future, so I better get on the ball and get back into shape. Till next status report . . . . . ShariTom,
Glad to hear that Ben made it through no worse for the wear. I am looking forward to the end of chemo and the beginning of summer. Sending positive thoughts on any upcoming news and have a great vacation.
ShariJP,
I hear ya and congrats! Just as spring is coming you will be done and able to bloom with the flowers. I will celebrate with you.
ShariHello,
I am happy to say that my platelets bounced back to 133, so no delays in chemo, YEAH!, so I am starting cycle 7. I have been feeling really good after my blood, almost back to normal. Life has settled down since my dad’s funeral and it feels good to get back on a “normal” schedule. I really have nothing else crazy to report, so till next time.
Shari
