Short remission update

carol2dogs · June 2009

Hi, everyone.
I thought a new thread might be better, easier to read. I met with my doc yesterday. The good news, very good, is that the CT scan showed no definable tumors, so no surgery will be needed. There was some thickening of the bladder wall, noted as probable cancer and consistent with my symptoms. My doc thinks there might be some more "hiding out" around my bowels, again consistent with my symptoms. Anyway, we talked about chemo options, and we settled on Gemzar and Cisplatin. If I read my calendar right, I should be able to get 3 rounds in before school starts. I will start this Friday.There goes the hair again, but hopefully more cancer as well.Thanks to all of you for your support - I'll be prowling the board daily and I get such tremendous support from just reading everyone's posts!We have such awesome Teal Warriors! Love and hugs, Carol

alfultz · June 2009

Teal Warrior
Carol, you certainly sound like you have a great attitude. Well wishes to you from Baltimore MD.

saundra · June 2009

Thanks for the report
That may be my chemo too, if they decide to do that after the next round. I will be prowling the board with you to see how you do. (((HUGS and PRAYERS)) Saundra

LPack · June 2009

update
Carol,

Thanks for the update. Did you have pain in the abdomen? Pain going to the bathroom? Just wondering as I have had some slight pains and then some not so slight.

Your attitude is wonderful! Stay in His grip.

Love,
Libby☺

carol2dogs · June 2009

LPack said:
update
Carol,

Thanks for the update. Did you have pain in the abdomen? Pain going to the bathroom? Just wondering as I have had some slight pains and then some not so slight.

Your attitude is wonderful! Stay in His grip.

Love,
Libby☺

No pain
Libby,
Thanks. I had no pains in the abdomen or bladder. I have to go a lot more frequently (very inconvenient to a teacher)and don't empty my bladder completely when I go. Other than that, all of my clothes are very tight and my weight is up from the bloating, and I feel fat and my belly feels stretched.
Have you talked to your doctor about your pains?
Love and hugs, Carol

BonnieR · June 2009

Teal Warrior Strength
Dearest Carol,

So good to read your postivie post ~ you are a true warrior. I am right with on the bald is beautiful scene and the first of july hope to do a henna tatto on my head. Always thought of doing this and with summer here it is perfect timing. I just know the new combination will work wonders. Keep up the battle ~ sending lots of hugs n prayers

Love Ya Bonnie

PS Libby looking forward to meeting you in August. :-)

BonnieR · June 2009

carol2dogs said:
No pain
Libby,
Thanks. I had no pains in the abdomen or bladder. I have to go a lot more frequently (very inconvenient to a teacher)and don't empty my bladder completely when I go. Other than that, all of my clothes are very tight and my weight is up from the bloating, and I feel fat and my belly feels stretched.
Have you talked to your doctor about your pains?
Love and hugs, Carol

pads
Boy can I relate a couple of my tumors lay on my bladder and I wear a pad all the time. :-)

BonnieR · June 2009

LPack said:
update
Carol,

Thanks for the update. Did you have pain in the abdomen? Pain going to the bathroom? Just wondering as I have had some slight pains and then some not so slight.

Your attitude is wonderful! Stay in His grip.

Love,
Libby☺

UTI Check needed
Hey libby, Sounds like a urine culture needed ~ just my nickels worth. See you in August

lnyeholt · June 2009

BonnieR said:
Teal Warrior Strength
Dearest Carol,

So good to read your postivie post ~ you are a true warrior. I am right with on the bald is beautiful scene and the first of july hope to do a henna tatto on my head. Always thought of doing this and with summer here it is perfect timing. I just know the new combination will work wonders. Keep up the battle ~ sending lots of hugs n prayers

Love Ya Bonnie

PS Libby looking forward to meeting you in August. :-)

Tatoo
Bonnie, my husband suggested a head tatoo. The idea is intriging - what are you thinking of putting up there?

Carol:

I hope all goes well and you are able to get this resolved. I taught in NYC as a first year teacher. Unless you have a kindergarten or first grade room, forget about emergency bathroom breaks!

Good luck!

Lyn

kayandok · June 2009

Cis/gem
Hi Carol, I"m sorry to hear you are having to go back on chemo, but it is good news you don't have to have surgery. I just finished 6 cycles (still waiting to hear the word, but probably 2 more to go.....) of cis/gem and my hair thinned but I was able to keep it until just last week. It got too thin, and you could see the shape of my scalp, so i did finally shave it all off. How many cycles will you need to do? Maybe you will be lucky and not loose it all.
Wishing you minimal side effects with that chemo!
Warm hugs,
kathleen:)

LPack · June 2009

carol2dogs said:
No pain
Libby,
Thanks. I had no pains in the abdomen or bladder. I have to go a lot more frequently (very inconvenient to a teacher)and don't empty my bladder completely when I go. Other than that, all of my clothes are very tight and my weight is up from the bloating, and I feel fat and my belly feels stretched.
Have you talked to your doctor about your pains?
Love and hugs, Carol

doctor
I go July 2nd. But I did do something right before the pains! I had gone to the batting cage to hit some balls. And then the next day played softball on our church team. I believe now I may have pulled my muscles.

Guess my body is not in the shape it use to be.

Love,
Libby

LPack · June 2009

BonnieR said:
UTI Check needed
Hey libby, Sounds like a urine culture needed ~ just my nickels worth. See you in August

culture
Bonnie,

I did have a culture - negative. No blood no infection. I see my doctor July 2nd.

I am beginning to think I drank way too much coffee, tea, etc while we were at the beach the week of the first.

And then with the batting cage and softball game, I have just over extended myself!! I love sports, but guess I am not in shape anymore.

Chemo and cancer sure does a number on your body. =(

Yes, see you in August!! ☺

Love,
Libby

carol2dogs · June 2009

kayandok said:
Cis/gem
Hi Carol, I"m sorry to hear you are having to go back on chemo, but it is good news you don't have to have surgery. I just finished 6 cycles (still waiting to hear the word, but probably 2 more to go.....) of cis/gem and my hair thinned but I was able to keep it until just last week. It got too thin, and you could see the shape of my scalp, so i did finally shave it all off. How many cycles will you need to do? Maybe you will be lucky and not loose it all.
Wishing you minimal side effects with that chemo!
Warm hugs,
kathleen:)

Thanks, Kathleen
Kathleen,
Thanks for your reply. It helps a lot to hear from someone who has had the same combo. Fortunately, I asked an oncology nurse before planning to get my head shaved, and she told me to wait and see. I don't know how many cycles - my doc won't say, it all depends on my CA125 numbers, which have been very accurate for me. I had some nausea that wasn't completely controlled by Zofran and Compuzine, so I'll ask when I go for my Gemzar only treatment this Friday. It wasn't bad, just not so pleasant. To be honest, I'm not at all happy with my hair right now, so I'm not so sure it would be a bad thing if I do have to shave it off (maybe won't be so grey and silver next time).
I hope you get through your treatment well and soon! Love and hugs, Carol

Short remission update

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