Bunches:
Glad to hear from you and also glad to hear that you’re on the wind-down with the chemo.
And also that you’re going to start the reconstruction.
This chemotherapy business may just be my grand opportunity to trade my kitty cat for a new one. Looks like I used up all the nine lives of the first kitty. So I’m starting over with a cute little new one.
I went in to the oncology center last Monday for a shot of something that will boost my white blood cells. As the nurse was injecting me, she warned that after three days or so my bones would start to ache. Especially the long bones. So far I’ve not had any trouble with my long bones but I was awakened this morning by a throbbing ache across my hip saddle. That did not feel good. As I lay there in bed, I tried to isolate the discomfort. It wasn’t a pain. But the throbbing definitely felt like it was in the bone and only happened when my heart beat.
“Good grief, now I’m micromanaging my aches and pains,” I thought. So I got up and took an Extra Strength Tylenol. So far over-the-counter stuff is working very well. Immodium is wonderful for lower GI distress and Pepto Bismol chewable caplets worked wonders when I thought I might become nauseous.
Today is the last day I’m supposed to be down here on the bottom. I can start my upswing anytime now, thank you very much.
Actually if I had two huge big poles, I could hang a hammock and suspend myself between heaven and earth. I don’t feel good enough to be up and about or bad enough to be parked in bed. And truthfully, this is the first day since last Monday since I’ve even felt like doing any cyberlurking or web-posting.
That’s an improvement for which I’m very grateful.
Here’s the deal. Since the partial mastectomy leaves me basically free of any cancer cells, except for the possibility of disguised ones that may be marauding around and hiding in tissues, hoping not to be detected, the chemo will reduce the odds of recurrence from 33% to 22%. That’s 11 percentage points, or, roughly 3 points a chemo cycle. The oncologist may not agree with that math but it helps me endure.
Then, the radiation takes me from 22% down to 7% odds that there will be no recurrence of breast cancer. While I’m going through radiation, and for 5 years, I will be on an estrogen suppressant that will take the odds of recurrence down to almost 0! I’ll take those odds.
My next treatment is now scheduled for December 30. Happy New Year everybody! Two more after that.
And I agree with you, Bunches! Thank God for wonderful husbands.
— Jane Reinheimer
You sound like just what I’ve been going thru! My 1st Neulasta shot hit me thru the hips and tailbone, too! throbbed weirdly, as well.
This time around tho my blood work came back so good I didn’t need the shot this time, so the stuff must work pretty well. That darn tumor continues to shrink. Be gone, evil thing!
I’m at my half way point now. Next dose is Jan 6th. We get 2 rounds in Jan. this time.
I can relate to the feeling poorly at church. That’s how the timing is for me. I plan to be there tomorrow, but who knows what may happen. Hoping the pastor’s sermon will be short! LOL!
It sounds like you’re handling it well, jane. See, it ain’t so scarey, now is it? Altho, I will admit we’ll all be real germaphobes by the time it’s all over, going thru chemo this time of year-worst time ever to have you’re defenses down.
Hang in there, ladies! And if I don’t hear from y’all, or you don’t hear from me (cuz I’m heading into “down time” soon) Have a joyous, happy, and blessed Christmas!