Ruthieg, TX

I just finished my 2nd round of chemo and will be having surgery soon. Hopefully I won't have to go back on chemo, but it
s a possibility.

Thanks for the good thought!

Maryann when is your surgery and where are you having it?

I will probably have my surgery at the NE Baptist in San Antonio, Ruthie. They haven't set the date yet, but I'll let y'all know when I find out.

I had my first session last thursday,the 23rd,and so far the weekend has been absolutely Horrendous.Feel a tad better this A.M. so far,and hope it stays this way.
Thanks for the prayers.
kathi

Kidney cancer here, but no chemo available...I seem to be doing all right, though

Sending good thoughts to all of you!

no chemo but kidney dialysis 3xs a week..thank you.......

Good thoughts to all of you from another newbie.

Shelley

(((Chemo/Cancer Gals)))

((Maybee & Bulldinkie))I did not realize chemo was not used for Kidney Cancer. Do they do radiation? Are there any clinical trials out?

((Kathy)) I am sorry your treatment was such a bad experience. Do you know what combination of drugs they are using? If it was nausea and that awful queasy feeling...make sure your Oncologist is aware of this.

When I did Chemo in 1999 and again in 2003 I was given a drug to take 2 hours prior to my appointment, some while I was receiving the IV and then another pill to take 5 hours after the start time.

Also, drinking lots of water and napping seemed to help a lot.

mombondo, did you read this post from last week? Moni's good luck charm

My thoughts & prayers are with all of you-

God Bless ya, Donna (^_^)

the kidneys are so "touchy"...mine were compremised during hyst surgery, and have taken nearly 2 years for labs to improve...even a "simple" mri if using dyes, can cause problems...

dr is treating me with artifical vit d (every other day) and once a month a 50,000 unit of "natural". no side effects for me but wow are the pills pricey!

my dear uncle is recieving chemo, still, (colon) for the past 10 years...his dr is totally amazed he's been on so long...and still functions daily (it's regimented every sixth week dose) and cares for my aunt with altzheimers (somewhat contained for now)

Cool......thanks for the reminder...It will be red of some sort on Thursdays.

Mombondo,
I'm on taxotere and cytoxan.Was supposed to have adriamycin but my muga scan wasn't what they wanted so they dropped that one.I have nausea meds along with other meds for other things.My biggest problem now is the diarrhea(sp) and stomach cramps.They seem to be unending.I have a call in now to my dr,as the meds for that doesn't seem to be working.Not able to eat that much,so don't know where it's coming from!!
Kathi

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer on August 14, I had a complete hysterectomy on August 23. I have had 3 round of chemo and other than feeling like dog dirt I do pretty well!!

Prayers and Blessings to you all!

My only Sister passed away in January from bladder cancer after a too late diagnosis. She had many loving people around her for support and I saw how much it meant to her...and my mission is to try to pay forward all that was done for her.

Suzi

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. My dear friend was just diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma of the lung and lymphnodes a week ago Friday. They started her on chemo yesterday. One 5 hour session every 3 weeks. I know Taxol is included in the chemo, but don't know what else is. I hear it has 3 different kinds. You all may know though.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all who are living with this challenge right now.
I've had two stem cell transplants with all the challenges leading up to, during and the healing of afterward. I was given a 25% chance of survival 5 years ago, I got lucky. The road has been long, the lessons deep.
I was a hairdresser and chose not to wear hats and wigs during the eight years of my treatments. They just didn't feel right for me. I know that it made some people really uncomfortable :( Lesson #18 It's about me, not them. LOL!
One of my long time clients had been asking me if I thought she'd like the change I'd suggested in her bob cut months prior. She'd chicken out at the eleventh hour.
She was a beautiful woman, yet insecure. So naturally I was reluctant to pursue something she wasn't ready for. I mean who needs a client unhappy and having a hissy in your chair for petes sake, lol!
One day she sits in my chair and again we go thru the same consultation ideas we'd been having for almost a year. I'd decided not to talk her out of it this time and proceeded to trim whispy bits around the blunt bob cut, assuring her with every snip that I'd left the length and how it'll soften and update her look. Yeah, I could see by the look on her face that she needed to be babied through out the entire cut :) Finishing up, I lay the blow dryer aside she stands up from the cutting chair, and in the loudest voice I've ever heard her speak in repeats "OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD!"
Of course the salon clients are now focused on this scene... and not in a good way :)
Now, I swear, in all of the years that I'd done hair, 99% of my clients loved how I made them feel and look, so I knew for a fact that this gals insecurities were at an all time high. And frankly I'd had enough. So, in the calmest voice I could muster I said " Sandra, sit down". I then pointed to my bald head and said "This is Oh my God."
You could have heard a pin drop.
In the end, she was good with her cut, made her apologies and told me until then she hadn't realized just how small her insecurities were in the scheme of things. Ya think?
Another quick amusing hairdresser story?
Client picks up a bottle of shampoo in the crowded front retail area and asks me if I'd recommend this one? Pointing to my bald head, I giggle and tell her "I use it daily and it works great for me"! We all cracked up...sometimes life tosses a good one no?
Not having hair was the most important thing that has to this day helped me be a secure and powerful woman, and I salute everyone of us who know it.

I'm coming out of lurkdom to report that I too am on Chemo. I started reading this particular board on GW right before I was diagnosed with gastric cancer (end of May) and I've always felt strange about introducing myself without mentioning the cancer diagnosis, but now I feel like I have an invitation to tell you about my condition!

I'm on a break from chemo right now, but I was on Chemo for 3 months prior to this break. For the last six weeks of that 3 months I was also on radiation. I had no problems with the chemo alone, but the chemo/radiation combo made me very nauseous and tired. I felt better the very day I began my break. If all goes well, I have six more weeks of chemo followed by forty or fifty years (I'm 41) of follow-up. Gastric cancer is not a very curable cancer, so I'll need all the prayers I can get, so please add me to your list.

Each and everyone of you gals are in my heart. I never knew the struggle that one goes through until my sister did the chemo/radiation for almost a year. Her strength amazed me.
Please post often and let us know how you are doing. We care, and want to take the ride with you.

Trin

Oh my gosh...I did not realize how many KTer's have been touched by this! My heart goes out to each and everyone.

I am a two time Breast Cancer SURVIVOR (1999 & 2003)...thanks to 2 surgeries, 2 different rounds of Chemo, 36 radiation treatments, 4 years of Tamoxifen and now Aromasin all under the guidance of the best Oncologist in Las Vegas. The support/love I received from my family/friends played a BIG role in my recovery along with a positive attitude and the "want to know" person I am. (Don't sugar coat it!) I too, salute those enduring this treatment. I know it is NOT an easy task but you must keep in mind, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and "this too shall pass".

If any of you need some broad shoulders to cry on feel free to email me mombondo@gmail.com

I include each and everyone in my morning thoughts!!!!