Mamas Surviving Cancer... NEW THREAD -May - Page 9

[Solange]

AuntieM..I have run into 2 other women out in the public away from the hospital, I am pretty sure were dealing with the beast, with their peach fuzz hair under a hat and the other wearing nothing on her head, while I had my head scarf on, at the zoo and shopping, we did not exchange words but smiles and strong eye contact almost as if our souls spoke for us. It does make a difference to see someone survive and hear it..makes you remember to breathe deep and live strong....

[Solange]

2 questions you guys...this first maybe TMI..but I don't have anyone else to ask....
I asked my chemo nurse first and was told it was ok for me to go swimming in chlorine pool,but after doing so..I have a rash down below ...I sat in the baby pool with dd for a while, my legs were in the water as well, they have no rash, but I cannot figure out where else I would have gotten irritated from???? It is very uncomfortable and I don't know who to call my oncologist or my OB. I do not think I want my oncolgoist looking down there if YKWIM... the rash is on the inside of my legs in that area too...weird...any thoughts?

2nd...How should I proceed with dd and giving her milk since she is turning 1? She is all over her brother's milk sippy cup and even managed to get a few swigs today while we were playing with friends-I did not get to her quick enough-I am so lost not nursing..I do not know if her soy formula is better for her still at this age or if she would benefit from goats milk now...can anyone help? I am not looking to wean her off her bottle as I treat that like nursing, I do not let her *hold* her bottle either, I still hold it for her and even try to manage holding it with my chin so I can caress her and play with her hands. I just don't know what to do as far as intro milk goes...

ok..gtg thanx for any advice....

[auntieM]

Traci, I don't know about the rash, but think you should definitely see one of your docs as you don't have the normal immune system to deal with it.

As far as the milk goes... DD was 14 m when we had to wean. She had had yogurt & cottage cheese, but no straight milk. We switched over to organic cows milk rather than formula. I will often mix her day time bottle with half soy or rice milk & cows milk. I will admit to letting her hold the bottle. In fact, she has taken it from me before. Generally, she only gets a bottle before sleep or when she needs comfort under abnormal circumstances. I, like you, approach it as I would if I were nursing her. Best wishes sorting this out.

Oh, & I've greeted a few women in public with the hats off chemo salute.

[Solange]

: hhmmm ok AuntieM...thanks for the milk tips...
what to do what to do...

[auntieM]

I hope that helps.... Also, I don't approach it exactly like I did nursing because I was never concerned about her getting too much breast milk. In contrast, I add the rice & soy milk both hoping to get some complementary protein & because she loves other sources of dairy so much.

[auntieM]

Ohhh, also, Traci, on the rash. I remember that they advised me to stay out of pools. They may be familiar with whatever caused your rash & perhaps a quick call to the nurses at your doc's office will do.

[delphinus]

Traci, it's funny, I did the exact same thing with the bottle, I think because he was so young, I treated the whole thing as if he were nursing and still do. I love that caressing of the hands thing! He is still on the Baby's Only organic dairy formula (I like it because the first ingredient is rice syrup). He is still waking up at night though, at least twice!!! I didn't night wean Maxwell untill he was two, but it seems so different now with the bottles, not as convenient to say the least! I bring a cooler bag with 2 bottles to bed at night though so we don't have to get out of bed at least (we don't heat them up any more--he does't seem to mind), but I'm sort of wishing he would start sleeping through the night! He did it 2 nights in a row last week just on his own and it was so great! but alas it's back to waking up again. I think he is teething. Is your dd sleeping through the night?

I'm not in a rush to end the daytime bottles though, it seems like the right thing to do for now, I want to keep up that nurturing feeling. Also I don't think he could consume enough fast enough out of a regular or sippy cup. I give him water in a cup though sometimes to get him used to drinking, and I gave him a little bit of cow's milk in a cup today and he seemed to like it, he had a couple of sips before he turned the cup upside down and spilled milk all over the table! It's funny Maxwell couldn't tolerate dairy until he was almost 3 (he still doesn't really love milk or other dairy but has a bit from time to time, I give him a calcium supp because I really don't think he gets enough) but Julian seems totally fine with dairy.

So guys, I went for my blood tests today with all my fingers and toes crossed and my counts were perfect so I got my chemo and I'm back on track with my schedule!!! Now just one treatment left and it's looking pretty good for me to finish on my birthday/full moon!!!! Yipppeee!!!!!

Oh yeah Traci, the rash down under, my skin has been a lot more sensitive on the chemo, I got a rash today from the sticky covering they put over my port. Maybe your skin just was overly sensitive to the chlorine because of the chemo drugs. I wouldn't hesitate too much about asking your onc, he'll probably be familiar with similar problems. Plus, it's kinda fun to talk to men, especially dr's, about your private parts, just to see if they get embarassed!

AuntieM, thanks for the image of the serpent floating off on the cosmic sea!! And thanks for the survivor story--very inspirational!

Got to get off to bed, it's getting pretty late, but I'm feeling really good!

I'll check in over the weekend, we're on the hunt for a new(but very used) car!

biggest love and huge hugs to everyone! xoxoxjanet

[Solange]

I made it (again)!! Last chemo yesterday for me...I feel different this time not so reserved..I *really* feel like I am done...
so I go for CT on the 18th and then results on the 22nd.

I will be free....
I will be free
I will be free....

[delphinus]

Traci!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!Yippeee!!!!!!! You really really are a survivor!!!! Yes, you will be free!!! I'm so proud of you!!!!

all my love, janet

p.s. happy birthday to dd!!!

[EFmom]

Traci, You sure will be free!!!

Janet, I'm so glad you were able to get back on schedule!!! What kind of car are you looking for?

I have my last chemo tomorrow. I will be so glad to be done. I'm just bone tired at this point, especially since I haven't been able to eat a meal in 8 weeks. If I never have another milkshake or more raw zucchini, it will be too soon. I'm making a list of all the restaurants I want to hit after my sense of taste comes back. :LOL I hope it doesn't take too long after the chemo, bu the nurse said to expect it to be another three weeks or so. After the initial binge, I'm going to try to maintain all this bonus weight loss--I haven't been this svelte in years.

My oncologist was there for my last appointment, and he and his nurse both told me I have been the "model chemo patient." Now there's an award nobody wants to win! He likes the fact that I'm always questioning everything, contrary person that I am.

AuntieM, I didn't really quiz him about exact survival rates, but I did ask about some scary graphs I'd found. For my dx, they showed a 20 year survival rate of only 40%, which freaked me out. But they also showed a second curve, with much higher rates, maybe 80%, with 10 year survival rates. I just wanted to confirm with him that the curve with longer data was lower because it reflected the less effective treatments of 20 years ago.

Didn't you get the BRCA testing done? Did your insurance pay for it? Did you have any worries about getting dropped from insurance over the results? I've got an appointment to talk to the geneticist in a week about the pros/cons of doing it. I'm still fairly torn about it.

Hugs to all you brave ladies!

[myrrhmaid]

Hi There Brave mamas! I love coming here to read so much great news of cancer gone!(YIPPEE AuntieM!!!!!) and keeping healing infusions on track!
I ended up getting a staph infection in my port that went to my heart and had a 10 day stint at the hospital. I was sent home with an iv and just finished up today the last round of iv antibiotics and heparin shots. I didn't realize how sick I was when i got the shakes so bad I couldn't stop. I am much better now-it's so good to be home! I can't believe I was gone so long. I was still able to get chemo thurs. and I am one whipped pup. I thought of you all so much and wished I could reach out....
They want to do a picc line now but i am refusing until the infection is gone and I get some strength back. Anyone have a picc? I am terrified after this botched port to have anymore procedures like this done. I have a totally cureable cancer-I'm not going to let them kill me with some secondary infection!!! I also have blood clots-one in my jugular vein on the left side of my neck and one in my right forearm. Both my gparents died from blood clots so these have made me particularly paranoid! argh..if i didn't have enough to deal with....
so good to be home! So glad to have you gals here to talk with!

[EFmom]

Myrrh, so glad you are back from your hospital ordeal!

I just got back from my last chemo infusion. My SIL came with me and the nurse told her to distract me for a few minutes after I was done. Then when I went to leave the chemo suite, the nurses were all lined up and they whipped out little bottles and blew bubbles at me, all gave me a hug, and a pink ribbon pin. I love those ladies.

I'll be back there for Herceptin infusions in a month or so, but it sure was great to graduate from the chemo!

Still waiting for a call from my surgeon's office. She's on vacation this week, but I'd like to get my appointment scheduled so I have some idea what to expect.

[auntieM]

Oh, Myrrh, Honey what a pita!!!! I hope that your hospital stint didn't set you back to far. How are DH & the kiddos? I hope that you all had help & that your insurance coverage is good.

EFmom, congrats on your last chemo. Woo Hooo!!! Be sure to ask your surgeon about drains, physical limitations immediately following surgery & what to expect as far as range of motion & strength recovery over time. I wasn't really prepared to be as physically limited as I am (can't lift my arm over my head). I'm sure that my surgeon addressed most issues before hand, but it just doesn't completely sink in. I still have my drain in--it'll be 3 weeks post op on Tuesday. I think the average is around 2. For me, the surgery recovery has been mentally harder than dealing with the chemo. I know that, in time, I will regain my flexibility & strength.... not very patient about it... I hope that it is a breeze for you, EFmom, & that I'm not scaring you.

DD is in need of attention. Got to go!

[Solange]

ahhh did you guys see the thread here of the little boy who has to go get a lump removed on his head....ahhh...just terrible....poor baby.....

myhrr.......

EFmom congrats on yoru last chemo!!!! How lovely of your nurses to do for you!!

keeping very busy...trying not to be too much in my head.....
ttys...

[Solange]

gosh girls..so quiet here..
how are you all doing???

I am just stopping in for some prayer support...
I go tomorrow to find out my scan results from today...very nervous..trying to remember to breathe....
going to go to bed and melt with my babies....

[delphinus]

hey everyone!! just a quickie, gotta get some sleep before the big day tomorrow: last chemo/b-day/full moon....I've got my fingers crossed! just baked a cake to take to the hospital with me....thinking of all you beautiful mamas, I will get back to writing soon, was away in cottageland till last night but will be around now and will catch up...

big hugs!!

love love love!!!!

xoxoxojanet

[delphinus]

Traci I forgot to refesh my browser so I didn't see your last post till I posted mine, my prayers are with you for tomorrow and your scan results!!!!
: : :
xoxoxoxjanet

[Solange]

: Janet!!!
Happy last chemo!!! You made it!!!

[Solange]

My CT scan results say...
no changes!! no new growth...they look exactly the same as our last..so we are seeing scar tissue!!!
I still have to go for a PET so I am not 100% clear...

and I have a double ear infection (which is AWESOME because my neck has hurt all week and my node was swollen so I was thinking the worst..but it is just my node swellingbecause of the infection) and a touch of pneumonia(CT scans says) so we are going to wait to do the PET for 3-4 weeks until I am all better...

gtg dh and kids waiting

[EFmom]

Traci, so sorry about the double ear infection--ouch! It's bad enough we have to deal with the C thing, without these other ordeals. But that's awesome news about the CT scan.

Janet, congrats on your last chemo! That's a hobby we aren't going to miss!

AuntieM, thanks for the words of wisdom on what to ask my surgeon. She was on vacation for a couple of weeks, and I'm seeing her next week to figure out what kind of surgery we will be talking about. I think I'm going to have to go to this appt alone, so it's good to have a list of questions to ask, since I won't have a back-up listener.

I just got back from genetic counseling for the BRCA test. The doc said I'm a borderline case about whether or not to recommend it, but she wants to do a little more digging. I haven't decided to go one way or the other yet.

My hair is growing in so funny. It's very fine, curly and almost all white. I look about 70, but I'll be dyeing it as soon as it's long enough for prime time. Where the two curly patterns meet, I've got a big ridge down the middle of my head. I told dh that instead of a Mastiff puppy, maybe we should look at Rhodesian Ridgebacks as we'd bond easily.

Health and healing to all!