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Nancy 
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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 Topic: daughter diagnosed triple negativePosted: Aug 08 2007 at 3:33pm |
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My name is Nancy and my daughter Lori (age 45) was diagnosed as triple negative. When she first discovered the lump and an ultra sound was done, they said it was a cyst. Local surgeon operated and said he had "concerns". It was cancer! How could they have been so wrong? She went to Joyce Murtha Breast Center in Winber, PA, and then to Magee Women's in Pittsburgh. I believe that she had every test done that is available. She had a mastectomy on July 6 at Magee and lymph nodes were negative. There was a tumor under the nipple area also, and they said that it was all really one. She starts chemo on Friday the 10th, 6 treatments, and then radiation the day after Christmas, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. I have read and re-read your posts and messages, and I want you all to know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. As a mother, it has been very difficult to deal with this, for I realize that it is a genetic abnormality. She tells me all of the test results and says that she does not have the P53 tumor suppressor gene. As breast cancer patients can you tell me what you want from your family? We have all been very supportive. Her husband is the most wonderful man in the world. I listen to her and cry with her and I laugh with her. Since so very little info is out there as to triple negative, I am at a loss as to what to expect. She goes in to rages and says that there are times when she feels almost paralyzed, unable to move her arms and legs. This is a woman who never smoked, never drank, doesn't even drink coffee. She runs or walks 3 to 6 miles a day, bicycles 3 or 4 times a week at least 15 miles. She participated in the triatholon 2 years ago and came in at first place in her age group. She has already gotten 2 wigs and turbans and caps, and has drastically changed her diet. She weighs 107 but admittedly had a sweet tooth. Please tell me what all of you want from your family and friends. How can I help her through all of this? We have 5 daughters and Lori is the third after her sisters who are twins. Our grandson (now 19) was diagnosed with lukemia at age 3. Where is this horrible disease "cancer" coming from? I just know that a cure can be found. But the pharmaceutical are making a killing on the treatments and all of the drugs. I have crocheted 25 angels for her to send to others who are breast cancer patients. I am calling them the "Victory Angels". I will make one for every year that she will be a "victor" . I do not like the word survivor. I heard that it is bad karma. I figure that 40 or 50 angels will give her the time to do what ever she wants to do in life. She just became a 2nd grade teacher. Graduated with honors December 2005. Please help me to help her! Love and prayers, Nancy |
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Raine
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Joined: Jun 14 2007 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 34 |
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Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 5:29pm |
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Nancy so sorry for you and your daughter, but be strong. You are already doing what is needed by being there for your daughter, have listening ear and a shoulder for those down days and a sunny smile.
I was dx 10 yrs ago with triple negative invasive breast cancer, and just having mum there for support was great, was dx with a new new primary breast cancer last year and it was so much harder as I had lost my mum 2 yrs earlier. by the way i was 42 when 1st dx. I just love the idea of your victory angels. All the best  |
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CalGal
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Joined: Jun 04 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 159 |
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Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 7:12pm |
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Hi Nancy -
You sound like a very loving, supportive mom with a lot of spirit ... go Victory Angels! I think being there to share her life is great ... I know it's hard for you seeing what your daughter has to go thru ... and when my mom went thru it, both my grandmas wished it was them instead ... My mom lost her 13 yr battle at age 59 ... and now, I'm in it ... liver mets gone for 13 mos, but recently dx'd with lung mets ... I have the BRCA1 mutation and it's pretty obvious that my mom and maternal grandma did too (although it can also pass thru the male side). When your daughter does chemo ... depending on how she tolerates it, she may appreciate some specific help (shopping and/or preparing some meals, help around the house, walking the dog etc). My dear husband (DH) burned a lot of vacation time going to chemo with me ... If her husband can't always go, having you drive her and keep her company during chemo might be nice ... I'm also a big believer in doing my own research and getting 2nd and 3rd opinions. I've gotten better treatment because of it. If your daughter isn't into the research, is that something you could do? You mention a "genetic abnormality". did your daughter have the BRCA test? I didn't have the test until after my recurr & mets dx, but it would have been good to have that info earlier. I'm sorry you have to go thru the cancer fight again ... having already done so with your grandson ... Best to you, CalGal |
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BRCA1
9/04 Bi-lat lump, clear SNB 38x Rad'tn 12/05 Recurr bc & mets to liver 06 the year of chemo NED for 13 mos until 7/07 Lung met. PARP trial until ... 2/08 Liver mets again |
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Aug 09 2007 at 8:02am |
 Hi New Zealand!
Thank you so much for your reply. Tomorrow is the first day of chemo. She doesn't know what to expect but has a very positive attitude as of last evening. Her husband will go with her and if he cannot be there for the future chemos, we will be!
The "Victory Angels" are a continuation of the angels she has been receiving from all over the world! She has received "Secret Angel Stitches" from as far as South Africa and from NEW ZEALAND! Just a card with little angels in every one of them. These have been a true inspiration to her and her family. We don't have a clue as to how they got her address, and they all seem to know exactly what her diagnosis is! Amazing! Most of them are signed with only a first name, and some are not signed at all.If she can find out how to send the Victory Angels to others she will do so. If not, then perhaps we can give them to Magee Women's in Pittsburgh to distribute to others.
This site is just wonderful. Lori was online for weeks before her last surgery,(mastectomy), but then it was just too overwhelming. Perhaps when she is "ready" I will send her a link to this site. She really needs to talk with others with the same diagnosis. However, I realize that everyone is different. Again thank you sooo much for your reply.
Much Love,
Nancy
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Aug 09 2007 at 8:38am |
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Hi CalGal!
I believe that she will be in some sort of study at Magee Women's in Pittsburgh. As you said it is very wise to get 2nd and 3rd opinions. She went to Joyce Murtha in Winber, PA, and was not comfortable with their diagnosis. If she had gone there for surgery they would not have found the tumor under the nipple area, as they do not do MRI's. They said that they show too much? She and her husband and of course I, have been online researching since the day that she was dx.
There has to be something genetic in our family. My maternal grandmother died in her 30's when my Mother was 9. That was 1922. I told my GYN that she had to have her abdomen drained every day for months before she died. My Mom told me that. My grandfather would not consent to a hysterectomy! Thank heaven women don't need consent today! My GYN said that was ovarian cancer. I have had the blood work and I have insisted that all of my 5 daughters have it done every year.
Lori was a very small as a child. At age 4 we found out that she was, (in a sense) born with her ureters on the outside of her bladder. Her urine was backing up into her kidneys and stunted her growth. She had one ureter implanted one year and then the next year the other ureter. Her oldest daughter, now 20, has had the same operation at age 11. The middle daughter does not have this condition. I cannot remeber the medical terminology for this condition. Of course, I can't remember much of anything these days.
Lori is also a nurse, and has said that this cancer must be genetic. I am sure that if Magee feels that it is, we will all be tested. We also have 7 granddaughters.
We have already made and frozen 14 meals for when she has chemo. Her sister from Arkansas was here a few weeks ago and that was her mission!
I read on this site last evening that when you take Neulasta you must not eat fresh fruits and vegetables and you are to stay away from dogs and birds? Did you have to take these shots? She already picked up the filled syringes yesterday at the pharmacy. I am sorry this is so lengthy, but I really have no one to talk to who knows what to expect. Since only 10% of women are dx with TRN, no one I know has this dx. And, I know many many women with BC! Too many! My husband's sister had breast cancer and had a mastectomy.
Thank you so much for your reply and I will let you know how tomorrow goes.
Love,
Nancy
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Bunnysmama
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Joined: Jun 19 2007 Location: Newburyport, MA Status: Offline Points: 254 |
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Posted: Aug 09 2007 at 9:35am |
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Nancy,
The fact that you have already found this site, joined and posted, and have reached out to us shows that you are a loving, supportive, and involved Mom. You have clearly been doing research and are there for her every step of the way. I'm sure she needs that now more than ever.
I tend to be a very practical person, so I agree with CalGal about the other ways you can be supportive. One of the best things anyone did for me while I was in treatment was to arrange for someone to clean my house every two weeks. It was such a relief to know that I could use what energy I had to be with my family instead of vacuuming.
Preparing meals is another huge help, and it looks like you're on top of that already. I had a freezer full of prepared foods, too, but they ended up being mostly for my husband. Depending on how your daughter does with chemo her appetite may change, so having family on hand in the days after treatment is good so that you could help prepare meals/snacks that she is able to eat. For example, I would completely lose my appetite for the first few days, so I ate grits and drank smoothies just to keep my energy up.
Also, on the days I had treatment, my mother would come to the hospital and meet my husband and me. My husband would stay as long as he could, but he'd have to leave to pick our daughter up from daycare. My mother would then drive me home, and she always brought dinner for that night. She'd then stay overnight and the next day so my husband could go back to work. I ended up sleeping most of that day, but it was good just having her there in case I needed anything. Once my husband got home, she'd head back to her house.
My mother was also there, along with my husband, when I got my head shaved before all my hair fell out. Losing your hair is very traumatic, and as a Mom your support will be very comforting.
As for the Neulasta issue, it is perfectly fine to eat fresh fruits and veggies as long as her white blood cell count stays high enough to fight off any potential infection. The Neulasta is used for that very purpose - it is supposed to help recolonize white blood cells. The potential problem arises if the white blood cell count dips too low, a condition called neutropenia. If that happens to your daughter, then she should avoid anything uncooked that could introduce bacteria to her system when she doesn't have the means to fight it.
Hope that helps. I wish your daughter the best for her first treatment tomorrow. Stay strong and positive for her!
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Ronda
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Joined: Jul 31 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 587 |
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Posted: Aug 09 2007 at 7:04pm |
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Hi Nancy, Your daughter is very fortunate to have you in her life. I have a very supportive family too and I often think about the women out there who have to go it alone. I'm with the other two gals, house cleaning! But be very careful. One thing I went through was blaming myself for what happend, so I was hypesensative. Now is not the time for big changes, now is the time to gather supplies and do battle. The changes will come after she heals from surgery and chemo. Let her guide you, do not rearrange things unless she asks and be careful that suggestions don't sound like criticism. My 23 year old daughter came in a cleaned for me and rearranged my cupboards. I was making life and death decissions and I could't find a tea cup in my own kitchen, I finally had a melt down. I was on auto pilot and couldn't coast through my own kitchen cause I couldn't find a blasted thing! Also be mindful of what she wants to eat and how she likes it. I made different meals for myself because chemo effected my taste and I got real picky!
Things do get better, be strong!
Ronda
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Aug 10 2007 at 6:28am |
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Hi Rhonda,
Thank you for your suggestions. I had offered to clean every week, but she said that she wanted her family to just be there for her. They are fortunate to have the financial resources to have someone to come in and clean every other week. I do remember that when my grandson was going through chemo that all he wanted to eat was cheese, pizza and anything else with a tomato sauce. Of course his chemo was a completely different regimen. At least there are meals for the family already to go. I will definitely ask before I prepare any food just for her. Did you have cravings?
As of 1 hour and 22 minutes ago she started her chemo. I can hardly breathe! When she was here yesterday she was positive that she would be fine. At lunch time I will call her husband on his cell and find out how she is doing. I would give anything to be able to go through this for her, as would my husband.
Did you find that you wanted to keep busy all of the time? You said you did have meltdowns. Lori has days when she is constantly doing something, and then there are days when she feels as though she cannot move!She does go running, walking or biking almost every day.
She will begin teaching 2nd grade the last week in August. I am hoping that this will help her through the really bad times. Of course ever since she was dx it has been bad times. We taught our girls that no matter what life throws your way, there is always someone else who is experiencing something much worse. But you know what? When you are dealing with a life and death situation, it is very difficult to even think about anyone else.
I know that she is only one of many millions of individuals who have cancer, but believe me I tell everyone I know or meet that she has breast cancer.
I know that I will be on here posting many times to find out how all of you are doing and to tell you what is happening in Lori's life. Thank you for this site and for caring enough to reply.
Nancy
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Ronda
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Posted: Aug 10 2007 at 11:43am |
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Hi Nancy, It's wierd because alot of people I've spoken with said they felt extreme fatique when the cancer was still in them, this was true for me. I actually felt better after my surgery and started my chemo 8 weeks after that. I actually postponed chemo two weeks because I was out of shape and had started working out and taking supplements to get stronger. For me the first chemo w/ the Nuelasta shot was probably the worst, but still manageable. I did AC 4 times Taxol 4 Times. If your daughter is doing AC, nausea is usually the worst side effects. I bought seabands (used for sea sickness, got 'em at the drug store) wrist bands and wore the the day of and 3 days after AC. They work with accupressure. I didn't need any nausea meds when I used those. I got chemo on Thursdays and was back to normal by monday. Taxol was a breeze, hardly noticed! It's different for everyone though. I took time off as a Realtor (15 years) to do my chemo mostly because I didn't have the energy to give and I wanted to be fair to my clients. But my friend who had stage stage 3 ovarian cancer (Realtor too) not only worked most everyday but ran the Hood to Coast marathon while going through chemo at the age of 60! I found out about my breast cancer right after she ended her treatment and kind of used her as my model for going through mine, however if she did the Hood to Coast at 60, I was going to have to do the boston marathon on running on my hands, 'cause I'm only 44 (well that didn't happen!!!)!! This experience is different for everyone, I really emersed myself in lots of inspirational books as well as educating myself on BC. Your daughter needs to feather her nest how she likes it and make this experience her own. I have manged to keep my sense of humor and spirits high, but it took a while. The very beginning is scary because the answers reveal themselves painfully slowly, but once you have the answers you can wrap your your brain around it and cope. It sounds like she really tries to take care of herself and it's frustrating because I always associated cancer with poor lifestyle choices, but it's not always that, sometimes it's just a random event that comes out of nowhere. Hugs to you and your family.
Ronda
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trip2
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Joined: Jun 03 2007 Location: Under Palm Tree Status: Offline Points: 8549 |
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Posted: Aug 12 2007 at 3:17pm |
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Hi Nancy and welcome. I'm so sorry to hear your daughter has been diagnosed with triple neg breast cancer but it sounds like she has a great support system with her family and that will be very important to her.
Just having someone listen to the good and bad, be there for hugs and giggles, makes a huge difference. You obviously love your daughter very much and I admire you for getting online and researching to learn more about what she is dealing with right now.
My daughter was diagnosed in January of this year and it is certainly devastating to hear those words. Then the next month I was diagnosed for the second time. My daughter and I live in different States so we have had to do alot of emailing and phone calls w/a couple of personal visits but we are here for each other and that is what we need.
Keep us posted and let us know how your daughter is doing with her chemo.
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Aug 12 2007 at 4:41pm |
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Hi Pam,
Thank you for caring. Lori had her first chemo on Friday and the last three days have been horrible. She cannot eat, and when she does she throws up. She is taking compazine and Zofram, but they do not seem to be working. She gave herself the shot of Neulasta at 5pm yesterday. Anything she asks for to eat has been gotten, but she can only take a bite or two and then feels nauseated. Her whole body is "twitching" and her vision is blurred. I don't know how she will teach come the end of the month. She did get out of bed yesterday and stayed on the sofa, but today until 5pm she was in bed. She went outside for about 3 minutes yesterday and then had to go in the house. She is taking a steriod, something that starts with Dex? Does this always happen the first treatment? Will she have to endure this every 3 weeks? I am at a loss as to what to do for her!! She doesn't even want to talk as she says it makes her dizzy.
Are you also triple neg? And is your daughter? To have your daughter so far away must be heartbreaking. Although I have 1 in Texas and 1 in Arkansas and the other 3 are here.
What can we expect over the next couple of days? Will the twitching go away and will the nausea subside.
I keep reading that almost everyone has the chemo before the surgery. I guess due to the fact that they diagnosed her lump as a cyst and then operated, that is why she has the chemo now. Of course, she had to go through the surgery 2 times. One for the "cyst", and the 2nd time for a mastectomy.
Please get back to me. I think I have this computer on every couple of hours just cheking for new topics or messages.
I wrap my arms around all of you.
Nancy
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 13 2007 at 3:52am |
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Good morning Nancy, that is too bad Lori is having a hard time but it should pass in a few days. If she or you have any questions about how she is reacting to her meds be sure and call the Onc's office and speak with a nurse. What kind of chemo is she taking?
It's hard to say if she will always react the same after a treatment. We all react differently, some people will have a harder time as chemo goes along and some just breeze thru so a tough call.
It sounds like she has the best of nausea meds and the Neulasta shot will make a big difference in keeping her white blood count up so she won't run into more problems so that is all good. The Dexamathasone is a steroid I take also only just for the 3 days around my chemo.
I too have trouble with the blurry vision and I get dry eyes so I use a product called Tears.
Most of these side effects should settle down for her in a few days but like I said if you have any questions call your Onc's office. I hope she is starting to feel better today.
Actually alot of women have their chemo after surgery. I have both times.
Again it depends on the situation.
Yes I am a triple neg, have been diagnosed twice now. My daughter was diagnosed in January of this year and she is doing quite well. She just turned 39 and has 2 small boys, diagnosed with two tumors on the right side, multi focal, one was estrogen positive and the other triple neg. She took Adriamycin, Cytoxin and Taxol for her chemo treatments and did quite well with all of it except for being tired more than usual. She is now almost thru with her radiation.
Let us know how Lori is doing. Hopefully this week things will settle down for her. She is lucky to have you so close.
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Aug 13 2007 at 5:13pm |
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Hi Pam,
Another day, another dawn, a better day! She hasn't thrown up since yesterday! I boiled good ground beef and made rice yesterday and put them in 2 seperate containers in the frig. She ate some of that today, and had a couple of bites of pancake and a few bite of bacon. Then... she had a hamburger. Good grief! If she wants it, she should eat it! She seemed in better spirits but still has blurred vision. I told her about Tears, so that is on the list to buy.
She did some things to get ready for her class so that is a good sign. Her children are absolutely the best! They are loving, comforting and so mature. I think her oldest daughter (20) has aged 5 years in the last 2 months. She doesn't want to go back to college and leave her Mom. She will be about a 3 hour ride away. Really that is not that far to go and get her.
Lori is on Adriamycin, Cytoxin and Taxotere. Is that the same as your daughter's chemo? I remember the Adriamycin when our grandson had leukemia. That is what makes the hair fall out, am I right? Lori said she couldn't look at it when it was being administered. She did her meditating at that time.
She and her husband even went on a walk in the woods today. Not the usual 3-6 miles, but it was a walk!
She has a very supportive and comforting boss (the principal), and says that whatever she needs to do will be just fine.
I do believe that I am able to breathe a little better today. I remember 16 years ago when our grandson was diagnosed that life just came to a halt. Never did I believe that it would happen again. You have been through this 2 times yourself and then your daughter. I can only offer you the same comfort as I offer to Lori. Only the person who has a cancer dx actually knows what all this entails.
As you said as the days go by hopefully she will feel better and better.
Hugs to you and to your daughter and family.
Nancy
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 14 2007 at 11:12am |
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Wow, sounds like Lori is doing much better, she's able to eat a little bit and get her mind off of things by working on her school projects, that will help so much. Walking in the woods sounds wonderful, things seem to be taking a big turn and I bet you are very happy to see that. My daughter was on Adriamycin, Cytoxin and Taxol which is what I had the first time. This time I am on Taxotere. The adriamycin can be pretty nasty on some. How is your grandson doing? Bless your heart, I know how it is to have a child diagnosed but then a grandchild, your family have been thru some hard times with this cancer business.
I think you are right, life does come to a halt but then we gather up what strength and love, support, information we can and go from there.
I'm so glad you are feeling a little better.
I know it is hard on the caregivers. When I had cancer the first time my hubby was a great caregiver but this time for some reason 4 yrs later I seem to see more of what he must be going thru and it can't be easy at all.
Give your daughter a hug and hopefully she'll want to come join us when she feels like it.
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Aug 14 2007 at 12:30pm |
 Hi Pam,
Today was even better! She was going for a walk this morning with her oldest daughter. She did say that she had a really bad headache and should have taken something for it sooner than she did. She was going to ask for another type of med for the nausea, something that a friend of mine had taken.
Our grandson is now 19 and attending college in Pittsburgh. He was diagnosed at age 3 with leukemia. So far so great! He went to Hershey for treatment, which was 1 time a week for 3 years. Then we did not have the internet tools available. We knew only what we heard from the docs, and then only understood half of that.
Our oldest daughter (one of the twins...almost 47) did not want Lori to go through chemo. She never said that to her, but she is our very spiritual daughter, and just felt that after surgery Lori did not have cancer anymore.
I was talking with my friends in my water aerobics class this morning, and some of them said the same thing. One (who had breast cancer 20 years ago) tried to stop her chemo after a couple of treatments and docs said no. I have been on the computer all afternoon "researching" again. But you know what? Some of the info is not relevent anymore. It is old news!
That "red devil" is nasty. I understand it has to be administered very slowly.
Lori was joking this morning and said some morning her DH will wake up
and see this bald headed woman lying next to him and hair all over the bed! Laughter is possibly the best medicine! I did get her 2 satin pillowcases as I had read that they feel so much better when you are losing and after you lose your hair.
Are the radiation treatments difficult to go through? She is not sure if she wants to do them before she goes to work or on her way home. That won't be until December.
And tomorrow is another day!!
Hugs!!!
Nancy
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Raine
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Posted: Aug 14 2007 at 9:16pm |
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Hi Nancy
Pleased to hear your daughter is doing better. I had AC 10 years ago and know it floored me for 3-4 days but improved from then on. Couldn't face food in that time but slowly started eating. I did find that by drinking lots before, during and after each chemo Treatment and also eating a little and often also helped. My Onc adjusted the anti nausea meds and I wasn't so bad with the subsequent treatment. Hope the rest treats her better, Raine |
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 15 2007 at 11:40am |
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Hi Nancy, well I tell ya, I wrote you a reply and our power blinked out so had to start over. It's always something.
Anyway I can tell by the tone of your email that Lori is better, that is just fantastic. Ah the headaches can be bad, did they give her any pain pills? She can call and ask what to take. I get them usually right after my treatment but they only last for a few days.
That is so wonderful to hear your grandson is now 19 and going to college. Just think about all that child has been thru and soon you will be watching him graduate from college, how great is that!
Yes family members will react differently when something like this comes along. Just so Lori does what she feels is right for her body than that is the main thing.
When I was diagnosed the first time I didn't have a clue, for some odd reason didn't use the puter, just plowed along behind the medical staff relying on them to tell me the right thing. Since that time I have decided to dig in and research and study as much as I can and that has been a big help not only to understand what was/is going on with me but then I feel more informed since it did come back I can ask questions now and feel more empowered.
You are right some of what you read is dated, not a good source and lousy info just watch your sources, dates, what makes sense to you. I kind of read something and toss it around to decide if I want to go with it or move along.
The red devil is a nasty chemo, none of them are very pleasant for sure.
Usually you can only have this one time or a certain amount in your lifetime. Some handle it pretty good and others have a bad time plus the in between so again it is pretty much you and the med and how the two of you get along.
Absolutely keep the laughter, Lori's moods will probably be all over the place and that is natural. Love the pillowcase story.
 I think the satin pillowcases is a wonderful gift, what a great idea!
When my hair started to come out I went ahead and shaved but had kind of a strange sticky burr and it was uncomfortable on the pillowcase so you are right on track. A little gift or funny card everyonce in awhile will definitely keep her cheered up.
I found radiation not hard at all. It went quickly and I spent more time driving to radiation than actually getting it. Once they have you set up you just go in, remove your shirt and zap and back out the door.
I didn't have any burning problems but my daughter is so they give you cream suggestions you can use for your skin. I found silky type cami's were comfortable to wear so that your clothing isn't so tight against the tender skin.
Well as time goes along she will be able to decide when to do her radiation. Does she live close to her clinic?
Yes tomorrow is another day, you sound better and so does Lori.
Keep us posted and hugs to you too,
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Aug 15 2007 at 4:29pm |
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Hi Raine and Pam,
Thoght I'd reply to both in 1 message.
I did tell Lori about drinking lots of water just as you (Raine) suggested.
I do hope that the next round is not as bad for her. Doesn't all of that water just kind of sit there in your tummy and slosh around? She always drinks lots of water daily, but maybe before chemo she should push more?
She cannot take any strong pain medication. She always throws up. So she has just been using extra strength tylenol.
I bought the pillowcases because of a message from someone posting on this site. You gals are amazing. You take the time to respond to an "old" lady when you all have so much else to think about
. You will never know how much your messages mean to me. And...I am passing along all of this info to Lori. Perhaps in time she will be the one you hear from.
She goes to the hospital here in town for both the chemo and the radiation. It's about 12 miles from her house.
I must tell you that our #2 daughter (one of the twins), knows this woman who took her friend for her 1st chemo. (In Haggerstown,MD). Well, she dropped her off, went back to work and returned when her friend was to be finished. Apparently it did not take as long as the friend expected, the woman left the hospital and decided to walk outside and wait for her friend to pick her up. When they found her she was lying on the grass, her body shaking beyond control, crying!!! Can you believe that the hospital would not tell her that she may experience some reaction??? Lori said she could barely walk and she was shaking all over!
When I spoke with Lori this morning she was going to try to do a 15 mile bike ride! I said well, that gives me something to worry about for the morning
!! But then that is my job!Does it help to keep a journal? I was going to get her one but someone else beat me to it. Her DH was with her at every appt., etc, and good thing too as she said she didn't remember half of what was said. She calls him her "cancer secretary".
The silk cami's are a great idea and can be a Christmas present.
Hugs again!
Nancy
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Melaniesmom
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Joined: Aug 10 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Posted: Aug 15 2007 at 7:58pm |
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Nancy,
As a daughter who is tripe neg and wading through Chemo - I thank you for being there for your daughter. My mom could bearly handle being with me after my mastectomy. We have never been super close (that would be my older sis), I thought she would jump in to help me and my family get through this but to no avail.
I know your daughter and her family apprecaite all that you do, especailly getting advice from us old timers here.
My 2 cents - each round of A/C (I haven't had the T yet) were different. I got super sensitive to light, sound and touch. As for eating, none flavored foods helped too (pears, cottage cheese and mashed potatoes).
 Amy
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Ronda
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Joined: Jul 31 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 587 |
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Posted: Aug 15 2007 at 9:43pm |
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Hi Nancy, I don't know what your daughter's onc told her about water consumption, but I was told 3 qts a day the first week of all chemos. This is to dilute it in your kidney's to prevent potential bladder cancer and kidney problems. It's very important! Good luck to your family.
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