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Monday, June 17, 14:46:39 [ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: [1], 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ]
Subject: CHEMO.....


Author:
Stacy
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Date Posted: 00:30:56 10/11/06 Wed
In reply to: Cliff 's message, "Oh yeah" on 23:47:22 10/10/06 Tue
 I started my 6th round of this chemo regiment TODAY. First I saw the doctor. He had a resident Oncologist with him. She examined me first then he examined me. He wants me to get a chest CT on Tuesday, October 17th at 12:30 just to get an update. Jeanette (my nurse) is going to give me my Aranesp Thursday, October, 12th when I get my chemo since I just had Procrit on Friday. Dr. Hahn is not interested in getting a bone scan or PET scan since I'm asymptomatic. I can get a flu shot on Friday, October 27th when I get my Procrit. But not before since I started chemo today.

My counts looked acceptable but I still need to get shots. They were:

white blood cells = 5.7 (normal 4.8 - 10.8)

red blood cells = 3.43 (normal 4.20 - 6.10)

Hematacrit = 33.4 (normal 37.0 - 52.0) This one is why the shot for the red blood cells. A low number like this makes me anemic causing the fatigue.

Platelets = 195 (normal 140 - 440) Thank GOD this number is back up. At one time it was down to 38.

I feel pretty good other than the fatigue. I get mouth sores on the inside of my cheeks from the chemo. I have to be careful what I eat and drink to avoid irritating the sores. I'm definitely not as physically strong or as energetic but considering.... I'm doing quite well.

My doctor told me I look great today. Even with all the cancer I have in my body he still considers me one of his healthiest patients. I told him I believe it's because of my faith in God. I told Dr. Hahn I know God is helping me and, of course, he is too. He said yea he'll take some of the credit. That made me laugh! I just love him!

I also saw my radiation doctor this passed Friday. He's also happy with my progress. He said I look good also. Lots of color in my face.

My hair is starting to come back in. It's real short but it's there.
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Replies:
[> [> [> Subject: Hey


Author:
Tracey
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Date Posted: 14:51:47 10/11/06 Wed
I am so glad you sent me an email update. I was asking about you yesterday--and always. I was speaking with Beth, but she tells me she hasn't seen you lately. And of course I ask Jeannette about you all of the time.
Stacy, I hope you know you can call me anytime to chat. I miss talking with you.
How is your Mom and Aunt. How are the puppies?
Talk to you soon,
Tracey
PS- I paid a visit to Patty last week.
[> [> [> [> Subject: TRACEY!!!!


Author:
Stacy
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 21:12:51 10/11/06 Wed
TRACEY!!!! It's so great to hear from you!! I miss you so much at chemo. You know you'll always be my favorite nurse. I love Jeanette but you were ALWAYS there since day one with me. That made you extra special. I'm having a little bit of a hard time adjusting to Jessa. Vicki and I got along right off the bat but Jessa is a little harder to read. She's nice if she talks. She was a little onery today but of course it was because Chuck was there with Louise. Jessa told him that he was Louise's "piece". It was hilarious! Now if she could be more sociable and fun like that more often, I think she could be great. She does do well with giving the Neulasta and Epogin shots in the tummy. I warm up the syringe first, that lessens the pain. But she kinda "throws" the needle like you do with a flu shot and it is even less painful. She has a real hard time getting blood from both of my arms. Jeanette always has to take over. I'm sure I'll get used to her though.

I sure hope you are happy with the new job. How is it going for you? I hope they know how great of a person they have in you! Hey, you can call me too! I just never know when I can call you. I don't know your hours. I have a cell phone, it's 410-591-5559. That is if you can't reach me at home.

Mom and Aunt Nancy are just fine. They just got back from North Carolina. They had to go to my 2nd cousins funeral. She was only 25 and committed suicide. That was a shock to the family. Especially since she shot herself.

My babies are wonderful as usual. Tyler goes with me almost everywhere (except chemo). I'd take him there too if I could get away with it.

Patty? I remember the name but I need more info to remember who she is.

Thank you SO MUCH for posting! I was thrilled to see your name!
[> [> [> Subject: Hi Ya!


Author:
Lisa
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Date Posted: 17:04:22 10/11/06 Wed
Hey Stacy - Nice to hear you're still kicking and screaming, lol. Your numbers look good. Here's where I came in at on Monday:

WBC - 9.5 (all thanks to Neulasta last week)
RCB - 2.67 - could use some improvement here
HGB - 9.2 - that's staying up pretty well
HCT - 28.6
Plates - 120 - my chemo's gonna hit these hard

I had my first speaking engagement today and it went really good. I even saw one gal start to tear up as I was telling my story, awww. By the way, happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month to ya but then again, we're already aware of BC all too well.

Hope all is good in your neck of the woods and tell Mark I said hello. I'm glad to hear he's healing well physically and I hope AA helps him heal mentally.

Take care!
Lisa
[> [> [> [> Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!


Author:
Stacy
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 21:25:27 10/11/06 Wed
Congratulations on the speaking engagement! What kind of a function was it?

Mark is looking forward to rehab. We think it will be more effective for him as opposed to AA meetings. He never got anything out of them but on the other hand he wasn't ready to quit drinking. But he wants to now. So far we know when he gets to rehab it will be 24/7 for 28 days. But he may have to go longer if the judge says he has to. He's going whether or not the judge makes him go. After the 28 days then he goes back once per week for "after care" for a year. I imagine he could go longer if he feels he needs to. I will definitely tell him hello for you.

Your WBCs do better than mine do. Our RBCs and Crit seems to run about the same.



HAPPY BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH TO YOU ALSO!!
[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Speaking Engagement


Author:
Lis
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Date Posted: 17:36:09 10/14/06 Sat
One of my co-workers asked me if I would be interested in speaking at her mom's small seminar that she puts together at her work place (it was at the old Heinz plant in downtown Pittsburgh). It was for NBCAM and about 25 gals signed up for it.

I was the first speaker of three and I was a little nervous but after about 5 minutes, I was on a roll telling my story. It was great to see that I kept the gals interested the whole way through and some of them were even tearing up. Everyone thought I was just amazing but you know this yourself, I'm not really - I'm just doing what I can to beat this cancer and still enjoy as much life as I can. No one (but cancer cousins) knows what it's like dealing with cancer, no one can understand our mentality and how we can appear that we're taking our situation so well. But WE do.

I was really glad I was able to explain to them what it's like to live with cancer, to go through the treatments, and how it changes our lives forever.

The lady that held the seminar, Barb, said that she's still receiving accolades about my talk. That really make me feel good, to know that I drove home the message about how important mammograms are and that BC is survivable if caught early, and even then, if you're caught in our situation, there's still hope.
[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: COOL


Author:
Stacy
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Date Posted: 23:27:58 10/14/06 Sat
That's about how it went when I was the speaker at the Race For The Cure this passed June. It sure makes you feel good when you know you've "touched" people.

I know I never would have thought that I could have handled having cancer. But when you find out you have it, you rely on your faith in God and your absolute determination to live. It seems to make it okay. A lot of people turn to Jesus after the fact and I'm glad they do. Fortunately I already had a relationship with Him so I think that has a lot to do with my attitude. Plus if anyone in my family has to have cancer, I would prefer it to be me.

Keep me here at least long enough to keep finding new drugs!
[> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Cool


Author:
Lisa
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Date Posted: 13:04:55 10/16/06 Mon
Our determination to live is half the battle. At tmes, I wonder IF I really can beat this but then, I smack myself for thinking that way and think of WHEN I beat this again. Once I hit my 5 year mark, George and I are headed to Vegas to celebrate. I'm predicting April 2011 we'll be back there and I really hope I'm right. I really miss Vegas and since we bought the house, we haven't had a chance to get back.

The word "chronic" came up in my last meeting with my Onc. but I'm betting that as long as I don't get completely stressed out again, I should be okay. Most people get stress zits, I get stress cancer - go figure!
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