Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma (UPSC): any others here???

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  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    pjba11 said:

    pelvic vs brachy
    Hi you two.... congrats from me also. I feel like the old timer here, but I will sure let you know my opinion. If your Dr tells you something different please follow that first!! I was not given details of the dialators until during/after the brachy .... I was told it is accumulative (spelled wrong!) in other words it is ongoing for the rest of our lives. The dialators I got had instructions that I did not need to use them until my brachy had healed. When I started my brachy my external radiation was almost healed. They were so careful not to do pelvics etc because I was so 'fresh' from the external beam radiation. There will always be time to use the dialator. It is my opinion to heal completely internally before you do much with your dialator. The walls of the vagina are so thin from no estrogen ( our surgery) plus our radiation that we can bleed and get infections so very easy. Our immune systems are hit hard right now. (can you beleive I ate mostly peanut butter during my external radiation and the peanut butter I was eating just happened to be the recalled jars that were contaminated with salmonella. So I had all of the salmonella side effects plus radiation side effects at once. Nasty!!) Please be sure that your type of UPSC cancer does not 'react' to estrogen if any of your general practioners recommends any of the estrogen creams. Some medical Doctors don't realize that most of our UPSC should not use additional estrogen for any lurking cells to feed on. Many thought that the estrogen from plants would help.. last I heard even that was not good. If either of you know more on this please post it.

    Thanks!
    Good evening ladies,
    Yes, he is a great guy! I am very lucky to have him.
    I saw the doctor today, so I asked about the dilators. As you were saying, he told me the dilators would come after the radiation. You explained it much better than he did. I was thinking that the no sex restriction was because the top of my vagina wasn't healed the last time they checked me which was after my first rad tx. He told me that day that he wouldn't check me again until the end of radiation. I thought it was due to the top of the vagina not being healed and that would cause increased risk of infection. Now I am seeing it from a different perspective, I wasn't even thinking about how vulnerable the vagina is from the treatments. Thank you for sharing your experience, that clears a lot up for me.
    I also talked to him today about the estrogen issues, hot flashes and what I could do to relieve them without estrogen. I had bought some soy milk because milk tends to upset my stomach further. He said to check the carton for "phyto" estrogens (plant estrogens). Also that there are some "natural" treatments, but to always be sure that they do not contain these phyto estrogens as they are just as detrimental as chemical estrogens. So this is the same info you received.
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    pjba11 said:

    no estrogen
    Thank you for Rae. Sorry your rabbit died. (wasn't there a joke about that in the 'old days'?) I would bet quite a bit on this symptom being thin lining from lack of estrogen. That always caused a bit of pink for me. My gyn is so worried for me on this too. Try to stay with non petro product with no estrogen if you need lubrications. That is what they tell me.... now if you find such a product let me know!!

    no estrogen
    My doctor recommended Astroglide saying that it was "more natural." I haven't needed it since I am still restricted, so I can't give you any insight. I did buy some and there isn't any estrogen listed on the ingredient list???
  • pjba11
    pjba11 Member Posts: 188

    Here's My Story
    I wasn't feeling well, kind of tired and peeing non stop and had pain on my right side. I have had colon problems in the past and cyst on my right ovary in the past so I wasn't sure where the pain was coming from. My mother had colon cancer so that has always been a big concern for me. Well my regular Dr. sent me for a CT scan. They found that I had a deflating cyst on my right ovary (the pain); a fibroid on my left and the uterine lining was a little thick so she sent me to the OB/GYN. The OB set me up for an internal ultrasound. After that was done he said that the my ovaries and tubes looked great but there in was some thickening in my lining and a small fibroid and looked me straight in the eye and said that it was not an OB/GYN problem. I persisted and asked him if it was normal for me to have my periods 18 days, 20 days or God only knows how many days apart. Was it my age? He said no that my period should be getting further apart not closer so he decided to do a biopsy which showed that I had Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma. So much for not being an OB/GYN problem.....

    Like you Linda, I had the same surgery. The preliminary pathology came back as no more cancer; it seemed that when he did the biopsy he got the one and only tumor. Well, I went to the oncologist yesterday and found out that they found a second cancer, clear cell carcinoma and that it had slightly penetrated my cervix. She told me she had many discussions with the pathologist about what stage of cancer it was. She felt it was 1B but the pathologist won and they are calling Stage IIA.

    I will be having Chemo and radiation (vaginal cuff radiation). I start chemo on Friday.

    I am not afraid, I'm just really angry. I cry more out of anger and when my husband starts crying. I have a lot to live for, my daughter graduates from high school this year, I have three older sons and two beautiful grandsons.

    As of now I am cancer free and I plan on staying that way!!!!

    PJ is there a way that you can send that information on the supplement? I read that a lack of iodine causes a lot of female and male reproductive cancers.

    Linda to add a person to your buddy list there is a little person icon next to their name, just click on it.

    I send hugs to all that are going through this and will be here for you!

    Chemo Friday
    I suspect you will be having a busy and long night tonight. My prayers are with you. Many things will be new tomorrow. Chemo is not that bad, especially after the 'unknowns' of the first session. More than likely they will have you watch a introductory movie about all of it. I hope you find something that you feel like eating ready tonigt for tomorrow after chomo when you get home. It helps if you start with no cooking or even cooking oders in the house. I felt like eating things I really didn't care for before cancer. I had the best luck with homemade chickensoup with dumplings. The dumplings were bland. Then the next thing I felt like eating would be mayo or mustard. This was something I can't say I gave much thought to eat before chemo. (very strange) Many people find their taste buds really change. I also went through a day when I COULD NOT eat. I hit PANIC thinking here we go, now I will never get well if I CAN'T eat. It only lasted a day. Take things slowly. After your first session things will be easier to sort out. If I can help you in any way please let me know. Let that Chemo BLAST you clean!! God bless and heal in Jesus name.
  • pjba11
    pjba11 Member Posts: 188
    deanna14 said:

    no estrogen
    My doctor recommended Astroglide saying that it was "more natural." I haven't needed it since I am still restricted, so I can't give you any insight. I did buy some and there isn't any estrogen listed on the ingredient list???

    astro
    D 14, Sounds like a product to try. Thanks !! I was also told that if we suspect any type of vaginal infection or change we should have our husbands use condoms until we heal. Less invasive infection. When we are in chemo we are so vulnerable. We are not supposed to eat fruit with peelings, handle things like potatoes or anything with soil/germs on it. It is very odd to think like that. Mouth sores are another big topic. Do you have specific concerns?
  • shortmarge
    shortmarge Member Posts: 291
    pjba11 said:

    Chemo Friday
    I suspect you will be having a busy and long night tonight. My prayers are with you. Many things will be new tomorrow. Chemo is not that bad, especially after the 'unknowns' of the first session. More than likely they will have you watch a introductory movie about all of it. I hope you find something that you feel like eating ready tonigt for tomorrow after chomo when you get home. It helps if you start with no cooking or even cooking oders in the house. I felt like eating things I really didn't care for before cancer. I had the best luck with homemade chickensoup with dumplings. The dumplings were bland. Then the next thing I felt like eating would be mayo or mustard. This was something I can't say I gave much thought to eat before chemo. (very strange) Many people find their taste buds really change. I also went through a day when I COULD NOT eat. I hit PANIC thinking here we go, now I will never get well if I CAN'T eat. It only lasted a day. Take things slowly. After your first session things will be easier to sort out. If I can help you in any way please let me know. Let that Chemo BLAST you clean!! God bless and heal in Jesus name.

    A Little Nervous
    Thank you for all the info pj. I was feeling really angry and worried about being sick. I am finally getting around from the surgery and the thought of being knocked on my **** again was making me mad. You have given me reassurance and made me feel relaxed and ready to get started. I feel so blessed that I have found all of you. God Bless.
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    deanna14 said:

    no estrogen
    My doctor recommended Astroglide saying that it was "more natural." I haven't needed it since I am still restricted, so I can't give you any insight. I did buy some and there isn't any estrogen listed on the ingredient list???

    Starting CHEMO on Monday!
    I'll let Peggy or Marge respond on the Astroglide, as I am like you, "restricted" and sex is fast becoming a distant memory! HA!
    I had my first consultation with my chemo oncologist today, and my chemo is starting MONDAY. The initial plan is 6 cycles of the carboplatinum/paciltaxill (sp???) we all get, once every 3 weeks. And I just got back from having my baseline CT-scan. So my stomach in gurgling from all of the contrast liquid I had. The nurse at the chemo place said everyine is different, but that I might start losing my hair as easly as 14 days, so my family may be coming for Thanksgiving to a BALD hostess! (the least of my worries, believe me!)
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    pjba11 said:

    astro
    D 14, Sounds like a product to try. Thanks !! I was also told that if we suspect any type of vaginal infection or change we should have our husbands use condoms until we heal. Less invasive infection. When we are in chemo we are so vulnerable. We are not supposed to eat fruit with peelings, handle things like potatoes or anything with soil/germs on it. It is very odd to think like that. Mouth sores are another big topic. Do you have specific concerns?

    chemo side effects
    First I was wondering if you were restriced from sex through the entire radiation period? If so, when did they allow you to resume? I would prefer using condoms over abstinence! Don't you need that to heal emotionally/mentally?
    I'm just a little nervous about what to expect from chemo. You hear a lot of horror stories, see movies, etc. that make it sound/look as if you feel like dying. How did you feel? I've heard a little about the mouth sores, the doctor said I would lose my hair probably by the end of the first week of the first cycle from the Taxol. I'm not sure what other drugs they are going to use. How about the nausea/vomiting? I've read some blogs about people ending up back at the hospital for IV fluids from getting so dehydrated. Do you feel sick like staying in bed all the time?
    I guess if you wouldn't mind sharing with me how you responded to the chemo. That would give me something to start digesting and preparing myself for. Do they use a lot of steriod, and do you get bloated up from them? Did you/do you have any peripheral neuropathy?
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732

    Starting CHEMO on Monday!
    I'll let Peggy or Marge respond on the Astroglide, as I am like you, "restricted" and sex is fast becoming a distant memory! HA!
    I had my first consultation with my chemo oncologist today, and my chemo is starting MONDAY. The initial plan is 6 cycles of the carboplatinum/paciltaxill (sp???) we all get, once every 3 weeks. And I just got back from having my baseline CT-scan. So my stomach in gurgling from all of the contrast liquid I had. The nurse at the chemo place said everyine is different, but that I might start losing my hair as easly as 14 days, so my family may be coming for Thanksgiving to a BALD hostess! (the least of my worries, believe me!)

    Just think of all the hairstyles you can try as it grows back!
    Hey Linda,
    How are you feeling about starting. I think it's best to jump right in, then you don't have to sit around waiting and wondering. I will be having 8 cycles and I know one is Taxol, but I don't know yet what the other is. He briefed me on 2 different regimens, one is 2 drugs, the other is 3. Did you get a port? or will they start an IV for each treatment. I requested a port because they have a terrible time starting IV's on me.
    I will be thinking about you on Monday as you begin treatment. Take care of you!
    They make some really cute hats, wraps and wigs. My insurance will pay for a wig up to $350.
    Good luck on Monday, be strong, we are going to beat this!!!!!
  • pjba11
    pjba11 Member Posts: 188
    deanna14 said:

    chemo side effects
    First I was wondering if you were restriced from sex through the entire radiation period? If so, when did they allow you to resume? I would prefer using condoms over abstinence! Don't you need that to heal emotionally/mentally?
    I'm just a little nervous about what to expect from chemo. You hear a lot of horror stories, see movies, etc. that make it sound/look as if you feel like dying. How did you feel? I've heard a little about the mouth sores, the doctor said I would lose my hair probably by the end of the first week of the first cycle from the Taxol. I'm not sure what other drugs they are going to use. How about the nausea/vomiting? I've read some blogs about people ending up back at the hospital for IV fluids from getting so dehydrated. Do you feel sick like staying in bed all the time?
    I guess if you wouldn't mind sharing with me how you responded to the chemo. That would give me something to start digesting and preparing myself for. Do they use a lot of steriod, and do you get bloated up from them? Did you/do you have any peripheral neuropathy?

    can't remember ever
    I am sitting here wondering how to answer your restriction questions. I can not remember them telling me I was restricted. (other than too darn sore from the surgery.) I know I waited a bit after the internal radiation. Just have to be a bit cautious. You may be surprised how most of this is not even going to change your daily routine. I can tell you that I only had one off day during my entire chemo. I wasn't sick, (thank God and my Dr for aloxi ) but I COULD NOT eat. Really hard to explain that unless you experience it. I think maybe God wanted me to have that experience to gain compassion for others if I can help them somehow. I was never dehydrated. I did 'push' myself during radiation and chemo to drink fluids. I also required that they give me extra fluids with my chemo drugs. I felt as long as they were doing an IV they may as well do it right! I learned REAL fast that when you are sitting in chemo.... start early for the rest room, it takes awhile to get your machine pushed in to the room with you and also takes awhile to get 'situated' once you are in there. As far as a port ... I think you are wise to go with a port if you have tough veins. I did not have a port. I had easy veins and even then some of the times they had to start over 3 times to get the IV working. I did sit and cry one whole session ( I didn't hurt in any way except emotionally).... Sometimes the drugs change your emotions quickly. I also had a very tough case of RLS that session. Most of the time I had friends along and we played cards. It is not difficult. I did not have a lot of nerve tingles or damage. Most of my damage is from the radiation . I have a herniated disc, and lots of aches and pains from just plain getting old!! Your Dr will write your prescription for your chemo according to your life style and your history. Your will have the drugs for your cancer, but the Dr decides how strong to order your nausea meds and your steroids. He may ask you how many hours you normally try to sleep, how many hours you work etc. They usually send your prescription to their pharmacy to custom mix this for you after you get there for each session. I had my first chemo the day after Thanksgiving and I lost my hair just before Christmas 2006. I went 16 months before I could style my hair with my hot rollers. Like I said in one of my earlier comments, I felt totally energized after chemo. The thing that knocked me down was the neulasta shot that I had to have 24 hours later. Not everyone reacts to that either. If you have questions please ask. Like I told Linda... I WILL WALK WITH YOU ON THIS JOURNEY AS FAR AND AS LONG AS YOU NEED ME . I have you in my prayers.
  • pjba11
    pjba11 Member Posts: 188

    Starting CHEMO on Monday!
    I'll let Peggy or Marge respond on the Astroglide, as I am like you, "restricted" and sex is fast becoming a distant memory! HA!
    I had my first consultation with my chemo oncologist today, and my chemo is starting MONDAY. The initial plan is 6 cycles of the carboplatinum/paciltaxill (sp???) we all get, once every 3 weeks. And I just got back from having my baseline CT-scan. So my stomach in gurgling from all of the contrast liquid I had. The nurse at the chemo place said everyine is different, but that I might start losing my hair as easly as 14 days, so my family may be coming for Thanksgiving to a BALD hostess! (the least of my worries, believe me!)

    Chemo Monday
    Glad you have your scans and your consult behind you. Is there anything I can say to help you? My prayers go to you and your family.
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    pjba11 said:

    can't remember ever
    I am sitting here wondering how to answer your restriction questions. I can not remember them telling me I was restricted. (other than too darn sore from the surgery.) I know I waited a bit after the internal radiation. Just have to be a bit cautious. You may be surprised how most of this is not even going to change your daily routine. I can tell you that I only had one off day during my entire chemo. I wasn't sick, (thank God and my Dr for aloxi ) but I COULD NOT eat. Really hard to explain that unless you experience it. I think maybe God wanted me to have that experience to gain compassion for others if I can help them somehow. I was never dehydrated. I did 'push' myself during radiation and chemo to drink fluids. I also required that they give me extra fluids with my chemo drugs. I felt as long as they were doing an IV they may as well do it right! I learned REAL fast that when you are sitting in chemo.... start early for the rest room, it takes awhile to get your machine pushed in to the room with you and also takes awhile to get 'situated' once you are in there. As far as a port ... I think you are wise to go with a port if you have tough veins. I did not have a port. I had easy veins and even then some of the times they had to start over 3 times to get the IV working. I did sit and cry one whole session ( I didn't hurt in any way except emotionally).... Sometimes the drugs change your emotions quickly. I also had a very tough case of RLS that session. Most of the time I had friends along and we played cards. It is not difficult. I did not have a lot of nerve tingles or damage. Most of my damage is from the radiation . I have a herniated disc, and lots of aches and pains from just plain getting old!! Your Dr will write your prescription for your chemo according to your life style and your history. Your will have the drugs for your cancer, but the Dr decides how strong to order your nausea meds and your steroids. He may ask you how many hours you normally try to sleep, how many hours you work etc. They usually send your prescription to their pharmacy to custom mix this for you after you get there for each session. I had my first chemo the day after Thanksgiving and I lost my hair just before Christmas 2006. I went 16 months before I could style my hair with my hot rollers. Like I said in one of my earlier comments, I felt totally energized after chemo. The thing that knocked me down was the neulasta shot that I had to have 24 hours later. Not everyone reacts to that either. If you have questions please ask. Like I told Linda... I WILL WALK WITH YOU ON THIS JOURNEY AS FAR AND AS LONG AS YOU NEED ME . I have you in my prayers.

    Thank you
    It helps to hear a real live account of what it is like. I know all the drugs are different and everyone responds differently. I tend to have a pretty high tolerance for pain and such, but I am trying to mentally prepare myself. I do believe that prayer and attitude are everything.
    Thank you again. It is good to know that not everyone gets deathly ill, that helps me face this. I tend to be an anxious sort when walking down a new path. I appreciate you and Linda walking along... it really is a comfort.
    Deanna
  • pjba11
    pjba11 Member Posts: 188

    A Little Nervous
    Thank you for all the info pj. I was feeling really angry and worried about being sick. I am finally getting around from the surgery and the thought of being knocked on my **** again was making me mad. You have given me reassurance and made me feel relaxed and ready to get started. I feel so blessed that I have found all of you. God Bless.

    Good luck today
    If I may comment on you getting knocked on your A** ......... Let's get it straight right now the only thing getting knocked on it's A** today is cancer. !!!!!!!!!! Fight the fight. If you get a minute after chemo please post us to let us know how you are. I know if I say a prayer or two today for you it will surely help too. If you feel alone or tested today settle back and feel us emotionaly with you. We are here!!
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    pjba11 said:

    Chemo Monday
    Glad you have your scans and your consult behind you. Is there anything I can say to help you? My prayers go to you and your family.

    Insurance preapproval slower than my chemo doctor!
    Now, with my chemo scheduled for Monday at 9:15am, I get a call close to the end of the business day on a FRIDAY from the hospital, saying that my insurance needs 6 to 7 days to pre-certify my chemo costs, and would I rather WAIT until they get that Pre-Cert, or come in early and sign a paper saying I'll pay if the insurance doesn't??!!! What THE HECK is wrong with the insurance industry in this country???!! Haven't I got enough to worry about!? My husband is doing hurry-up phone calls to the hospital's billing department and trying to get an authorized person to actually come on the line at the insurance and rectify this. 45 minutes until close of business on a Friday!!! ARGH!!! More stress....
  • pjba11
    pjba11 Member Posts: 188
    aggressive condition
    Do they not realize that this is a very aggressive condition? Even a day can matter. It is not like you are doing something elective. I had noticed some advocates on this site ..... maybe they have advise and have done this before. ?? Sorry for your more stress.
  • pjba11
    pjba11 Member Posts: 188
    pjba11 said:

    aggressive condition
    Do they not realize that this is a very aggressive condition? Even a day can matter. It is not like you are doing something elective. I had noticed some advocates on this site ..... maybe they have advise and have done this before. ?? Sorry for your more stress.

    brachy
    Just a thought... I ran into this with my brachy too. Since their phase 2 trial was so untried I went ahead with my brachy not knowing if I had coverage. They did cover it. NOW I HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS FOR ALL OF US. I need to follow up on this and get an actual article. BUT........... I think it was Ireland that a trial out on UPSC and they are certain that if women have a gyn/onc. doing the proper surgery our chances of longer survival DOUBLE. Anyone seen this on the sites??
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    pjba11 said:

    aggressive condition
    Do they not realize that this is a very aggressive condition? Even a day can matter. It is not like you are doing something elective. I had noticed some advocates on this site ..... maybe they have advise and have done this before. ?? Sorry for your more stress.

    We're signing the paper & I'm getting chemo Monday
    It's not really the insurance company's fault; apparently the details of my chemo are still laying on the oncologist's desk, not yet sent over to the hospital's pre-authorization financial people. And without knowing the details, the insurance isn't going to Pre-Certify. So it's a matter of 'fast appointment / slow paper trail'. How much of a financial hit did you take with your cancer, Peggy, if I may ask? I already paid my crazy 'out of network' $10,500 deductible, and was hoping that would be the extent of my 2008 out-of-pocket hit. (In January, the deductible requirement kicks in again, but I am having my chemo 'in network' so my deductible will be $7,500 more for 2009.) I hate to agree to pay for my 1st chemo round. But I also am unwilling to wait a week to start chemo now that I have myself all mentally prepared for this.

    On a more fun note, I made an appointment with a 'hair replacement' salon that specializes in cancer patients, and came back with a $250 wig and a couple really cute hats. I wasn't even going to get a wig, but then I thought there would be times when I won't want to look pitiful and may want my privacy. This hair really looks real. They thinned and styled it for me. I feel a little embarrassed to have fake hair on a stand in my bedroom now, but I do feel READY now for whatever's coming.
  • pjba11
    pjba11 Member Posts: 188
    wigs
    I am so very glad you did the wig. I was so certain that my hair coming out was no biggy... but it hit me hard. I stood in the shower and pulled all of my hair out. I kept the shower running so I would not be able to tell the water from the tears. It is alos a hard day for your husband... even when they say it is fine.. it is still another hurdle. I had 2 very nice wigs that ran over $350.00 each, but I found I only liked one. I did wear both, but one not much. It was great to have a chance to try them on while I had my original hair. It was an easier color match, plus the stylist could see what I wanted. I still wear my wig if I am in a hurry or want a lazy hair day. When you go to chemo, ask for hats and scarves. They usually have an unlimited supply that volunteers sew for us. I got hit for over 1.5 million on my cancer. I pay prem. of over $700. month now since I am 'uninsurable. It is ridiculous.
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    pjba11 said:

    wigs
    I am so very glad you did the wig. I was so certain that my hair coming out was no biggy... but it hit me hard. I stood in the shower and pulled all of my hair out. I kept the shower running so I would not be able to tell the water from the tears. It is alos a hard day for your husband... even when they say it is fine.. it is still another hurdle. I had 2 very nice wigs that ran over $350.00 each, but I found I only liked one. I did wear both, but one not much. It was great to have a chance to try them on while I had my original hair. It was an easier color match, plus the stylist could see what I wanted. I still wear my wig if I am in a hurry or want a lazy hair day. When you go to chemo, ask for hats and scarves. They usually have an unlimited supply that volunteers sew for us. I got hit for over 1.5 million on my cancer. I pay prem. of over $700. month now since I am 'uninsurable. It is ridiculous.

    Well, I don't have $1.5 million!
    I don't have $1.5 million, so they won't be getting that much from ME! They have to fix the insurance problems in this country. No matter HOW MUCH they raise my insurance rates, now that I have cancer, I will just have to pay it because no one else is going to cover my 'pre-existing condition'. I'm trapped into staying with my same insurance company no matter what, and I know that they will raise my rates crazy-high, hoping that I do cancel or can't pay and they can get away from my cancer bills. Because I am in business for myself, I have private insurance and am not a part of any kind of a group. I hope Obama can come through on his promises.
  • pjba11
    pjba11 Member Posts: 188
    Private ins too
    I am the same. We farm and have a business. We pay private insurance. I too face the fact that they 'say' they can not discriminate by pushing my prem. up, but now they increase it each time by large amounts. I had to pay $15 per visit, plus approx 20% of our 1.5 so we got hit hard. I was in 17 medical facilities in 2007.
  • shortmarge
    shortmarge Member Posts: 291

    Starting CHEMO on Monday!
    I'll let Peggy or Marge respond on the Astroglide, as I am like you, "restricted" and sex is fast becoming a distant memory! HA!
    I had my first consultation with my chemo oncologist today, and my chemo is starting MONDAY. The initial plan is 6 cycles of the carboplatinum/paciltaxill (sp???) we all get, once every 3 weeks. And I just got back from having my baseline CT-scan. So my stomach in gurgling from all of the contrast liquid I had. The nurse at the chemo place said everyine is different, but that I might start losing my hair as easly as 14 days, so my family may be coming for Thanksgiving to a BALD hostess! (the least of my worries, believe me!)

    Fridays Chemo
    It wasn't bad at all. Went in a little teary eyed and nervous, more so than the surgery. They started me out with a steriod and benedryl and hour before chemo treatment. The one chemo takes three hours and the second takes twenty minutes. I had a nice little nap because of the benedryl. Be then end of the day I had the nurses laughing. I have different ring tones on my cell phone and my daughter had called me. Well, I have a big sense of humor and my daughters ring tone is of a drunken squirrel. It makes you laugh just hearing it.

    The only side effects so far is that my head felt groggy. I had a hard time with getting some sentences out. I have a slight headache this morning but don't feel sick at all. They told me that because of the steriod medicine I might not be able to sleep but my head hit the pillow at 10:00 p.m. and I was out cold. Woke up at 3:00 a.m. with a night sweat and am having a hard time getting back to sleep. I ate an amazing dinner last night and had a snack before bed. Some people say the fourth day is the hardest, we'll see.

    The doctor gave me steriod medicine to take for the next three days, it helps with appetite, and she also gave me nausea medicine if needed. Can't take that for three days said it won't work with the steriod medicine. They also gave me a prescription for a stronger nausea medicine, said it was expensive so don't fill it if I don't need it.

    I will be thinking of you on Monday Linda and will be praying for all. Cyber Hugs!

    I think I'm going to try and get more sleep now....