Wish me luck ...

[Joan]

It's not above the LOO that you need to pin the cleaning instructions - threaten to staple it to their pride and joy, maybe then they'll get read!

I couldn't do that to the poor wee mite, Vulch.  He's standing here ironing his business shirts right now, so maybe the loo cleaning will come next ??

Now you know what to expect, the treatment might not be so daunting; it's the unknown that's off-putting. The anti-nausea drugs generally have a certain amount of sedative included - that's what may be causing the light headedness, or maybe it's the relief of having got through the 'first time' without up-chucking!! How often are the treatments?

You're so right, Vulch.  The anticipation is the worse part.  The nurse was reading my oncologist's notes and she said, "That's what what we like to hear." - he'd written that the chemo and Herceptin are to be given "for curative purposes".  I suppose rather than palliative. One of the drugs is a steroid - think that's what's making me feel a bit "high".  My sister told me she generally felt ok for the first couple of days then your white blood cell count starts to go down and things like fatigue kick in (possibly).  With my drugs, it should hit a low about 10 days in (which just happens to be Christmas day this time).  Then there all the other possible side effects, at least one of which I will get.  Am going to do as much as I can to avoid those.  Did you know that I'm toxic for 48 hours after the treatment?  Have to take precautions to make sure nobody else gets any of the stuff they've put into me - drinking lots of fluids to make sure it all goes through quickly.

The treatments are every three weeks - next one on 5th January - I have to go in early because it will be my first time with the Herceptin and they give you more the first time to see how you tolerate it and monitor you carefully, so to have all three drugs will take longer. 5 more chemos with the Herceptin, then 12 Herceptins after I've finished the chemo. I'll be on present giving terms with the staff by then, I reckon!

Damned shame you didn't have access to those anti-nausea drugs when you had the toilet hinge problem, Joan. Life's timing sucks sometimes.

 

   Yes, they would have been a big boon, TT - and when changing friend's baby's nappies, when I think about it - rather not!

[Vulture]

It's not above the LOO that you need to pin the cleaning instructions - threaten to staple it to their pride and joy, maybe then they'll get read!

I couldn't do that to the poor wee mite, Vulch.  He's standing here ironing his business shirts right now, so maybe the loo cleaning will come next ??

You are far too kind, Joan. Thank goodness MY home is a willy-free zone!

[Vulture]

You're so right, Vulch.  The anticipation is the worse part.  The nurse was reading my oncologist's notes and she said, "That's what what we like to hear." - he'd written that the chemo and Herceptin are to be given "for curative purposes".  I suppose rather than palliative. One of the drugs is a steroid - think that's what's making me feel a bit "high".  My sister told me she generally felt ok for the first couple of days then your white blood cell count starts to go down and things like fatigue kick in (possibly).  With my drugs, it should hit a low about 10 days in (which just happens to be Christmas day this time).  Then there all the other possible side effects, at least one of which I will get.  Am going to do as much as I can to avoid those.  Did you know that I'm toxic for 48 hours after the treatment?  Have to take precautions to make sure nobody else gets any of the stuff they've put into me - drinking lots of fluids to make sure it all goes through quickly.

The treatments are every three weeks - next one on 5th January - I have to go in early because it will be my first time with the Herceptin and they give you more the first time to see how you tolerate it and monitor you carefully, so to have all three drugs will take longer. 5 more chemos with the Herceptin, then 12 Herceptins after I've finished the chemo. I'll be on present giving terms with the staff by then, I reckon!

Good grief! You're toxic for 48 hours (that's the time to get recalcitrant males to toe the line!!), after ten days there's a possibility of being on a downer and after 14 days it all starts over again...... when can you hit the bottle? Can we send some over to you?

[Diane CBPFC]

Glad that you have had your first treatment over with Joan.

You are an example to all the lazy gits on this board; chemotherapy and yet still have time to put up your Christmas avatar and keep your company loo clean.

[The Peepmaster]

I wonder who'll be the last person to put up a Christmas avatar.

[peter]

me i would not know were to begin
it will be a dead heat for last place between me and the boss roger

[The Peepmaster]

me i would not know were to begin
it will be a dead heat for last place between me and the boss roger

You don't look quite as old as I imagined you, Peter.

[Malc]

But exactly as old as Mince imagines him.

[Joan]

Good grief! You're toxic for 48 hours (that's the time to get recalcitrant males to toe the line!!), after ten days there's a possibility of being on a downer and after 14 days it all starts over again...... when can you hit the bottle? Can we send some over to you?

I can hit the bottle any time I like, Vulch - on my head be it!  I do have a slightly funny taste in my mouth, though, and even French champagne is not tasting as good as it used to.  Thanks, but no need to send any over - there's enough in the house to last at least until I'm finished the treatment, especially with me not imbibing very much.

Just thought I would update.  I went downhill a bit after my last post - the next 5 days were very up and down - then on Christmas Eve I started to come good, by Christmas Day I even managed an outing on the golf course (we live in the middle of one which closes one day a year - Christmas Day, so the poorer residents who can't afford the membership usually go out for a hit).  I’ve just kept getting better from there and feel almost ‘normal’ now.  At least I’ll know more or less what to expect now and will probably cope with it a bit better this time (Tuesday).

The wig lady came round to see me this afternoon and I bought my wig – doesn’t look too bad.  Hair is still there (just) but I’ve become like the dog – leave a trail of hair behind me wherever I go.  A day or so and we’ll be getting the clippers out because I won’t be able to stand it any more.

Take care everyone,
Joan

[Vulture]

Joan, thanks for the update. Your positive posts show that you're 'keeping your pecker up' (what is a 'pecker'?) and it makes me feel an ungrateful bitch for moaning about the year we've just left!! Keep getting better!

<<I will appreciate the good life that I have! >>

[Malc]

Joan -thinking of you, babe.  (that's with me wearing my whitest Saturday Night Fever suit and clicking my 'gun' finger at you).



Oh, and winking

[Diamond Lil]

After my quiet time on the site (i.e. nothing posted), I sat one evening to try to catch up a little and was in awe of the way you are dealing with what life is throwing at you just now.  May you continue to improve in 2010 and may next week not be as bad as the run up to Christmas.

[The Peepmaster]

I echo that Joan. I do hope your improvement continues rapidly over 2010.

[Roger Kettle]

And from me. What colour is the wig?

[Diane CBPFC]

Sorry that you have been feeling crummy. 

Did you get a new dog Joan?