fresh spring chemoites.

maglets

please do not think I am gloating....so many of you are suffering right now...thought I'd just send a lighter spring-fed note.

last year at this time I was on oxy and xeloda and dragging my a--. Towards the end of oxy I did not want to get out of bed...some days I would lie in bed and pray I wouldn't have to turn my head because that would hurt too much.

this afternoon I cleaned some windows and took down dark-winter velvet drapes and put up peachy coloured ones....I hung some Easter eggs around the place and put out pink candles!

hang on my chemo friends...there is light,,,,the tunnel is not endless...just seems that way

hugs, mags

AnneCan

Thanks Mags!
That is not
Thanks Mags!

That is not gloating, that is very encouraging! I go for treatment tomorrow + it is easier to go when there is encouragement like yours! It is really nice to welcome spring. Take good care.

Jaylo969

Thanks for the cheer
I am where you were last year.For some reason when I got off of Folfox and onto Xeloda only I started dragging azz and lying around with the shades closed....go figure.I had heard that Xeloda was so much easier, but since the 14th day of the 1st cycle I fell into a dark hole and haven't been able to climb out.I look forward to every day hoping that will be the day when the sun breaks through once again.This just IS NOT me!!

If all goes as planned the end of June will be my release date ( from chemo)

I needed some cheer. Thanks Mags!

-Pat

coloCan

Jaylo969 said:

Thanks for the cheer
I am where you were last year.For some reason when I got off of Folfox and onto Xeloda only I started dragging azz and lying around with the shades closed....go figure.I had heard that Xeloda was so much easier, but since the 14th day of the 1st cycle I fell into a dark hole and haven't been able to climb out.I look forward to every day hoping that will be the day when the sun breaks through once again.This just IS NOT me!!

If all goes as planned the end of June will be my release date ( from chemo)

I needed some cheer. Thanks Mags!

-Pat

For the first time since last May,
today I did some laundry. It feels good not being helpless and relying on girlfriend for so much I used to do myself. Tho still some chemo to finish, without the oxi component in it, I've gradually gotten some of my life back. I can help with light shopping too, using only my right arm (still afraid to use left as first picc had moved on me and don't want to disturb second one)....By luck, the timing of my Tx fit good with the changing of the seasons....I think cultivating a strong positive attitude throughout this ordeal is a necessity to carry on.....Enjoying the warm weather is one bonus of carrying on.....steve

maglets

coloCan said:

For the first time since last May,
today I did some laundry. It feels good not being helpless and relying on girlfriend for so much I used to do myself. Tho still some chemo to finish, without the oxi component in it, I've gradually gotten some of my life back. I can help with light shopping too, using only my right arm (still afraid to use left as first picc had moved on me and don't want to disturb second one)....By luck, the timing of my Tx fit good with the changing of the seasons....I think cultivating a strong positive attitude throughout this ordeal is a necessity to carry on.....Enjoying the warm weather is one bonus of carrying on.....steve

pat and steve
Pat I am sorry that you are so low....those low-down dirty old chemo blues...I really found the effexor helped me Pat...are you able to get out and have a wee walk Pat? that helps even though you probably don't feel like it

and steve you said what I think I was trying to say. It does feel good not being helpless...I am so glad you are starting to do a few little tasks...it makes such a difference.

mags

coloCan

maglets said:

pat and steve
Pat I am sorry that you are so low....those low-down dirty old chemo blues...I really found the effexor helped me Pat...are you able to get out and have a wee walk Pat? that helps even though you probably don't feel like it

and steve you said what I think I was trying to say. It does feel good not being helpless...I am so glad you are starting to do a few little tasks...it makes such a difference.

mags

Yes, its been quite awhile where just getting out of bed
to see a doctor or go to bathrrom to urinate was a daily chore. Taking the oxi out of the Folfox made a world of difference for me, tho it undoubtedly weakened the chemo. I started off slow, walking thru apartment non stop for a few minutes, then 10...up to 30. Then I'd use ankle weights on feet. Next was to start walking (using a cane) little by little, further and forther, in street til I was able to do a mile or so, gradually being able to walk somewhat faster (Used to walk real fast, girlfreind left in the dust....)It took a month or so to feel comfortable being outside security of apartment once I was able to go out for any lenght of time.
Its taken time but It does feel good to be able to do daily things like shopping, cleaning, laundry, cooking (which I had stopped doing back in '81-but could if I needed to)going for a walk; no longer want to spend majority of my time watching TV as I did for what seemed like an eternity while in pain and suffering the consequences of treatments.Still have two more doses to go (next one tmorrow) and when finished I plan on starting to exercise with both arms again as left off-limits due to picc.......
I've been lucky in that I've responded pretty good to my treatments, etc even with the times I thought I'd die that day/night. The will to live.,.......steve

PS: Still think nanotechnology holds much promise in cancer destruction with minimal harm to noncancerous cells.

PPS:Its now being reported that 327 mg/daily of magnesium from foods sources, not supplements, might help ward off colon cancer....(coloncancer.about.com)

Jaylo969

maglets said:

pat and steve
Pat I am sorry that you are so low....those low-down dirty old chemo blues...I really found the effexor helped me Pat...are you able to get out and have a wee walk Pat? that helps even though you probably don't feel like it

and steve you said what I think I was trying to say. It does feel good not being helpless...I am so glad you are starting to do a few little tasks...it makes such a difference.

mags

You read my mind
I am getting ready to go walking right now. It is finally warm enough ( I *think* )

I've never tried effexor. My PCP gave me some Prozac a couple of months ago and into the 9th day I was a zombie. Total apathy!!It scared me so bad how I was feeling that I ditched the Prozac.I took Zoloft for awhile about 10 yrs ago and it was ok. Maybe I will ask him to rx that for me....that is IF the walking and just getting out of this house doesn't do the trick. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if that is all I need:)

Thank you Mags!

-Pat

coloCan

Jaylo969 said:

You read my mind
I am getting ready to go walking right now. It is finally warm enough ( I *think* )

I've never tried effexor. My PCP gave me some Prozac a couple of months ago and into the 9th day I was a zombie. Total apathy!!It scared me so bad how I was feeling that I ditched the Prozac.I took Zoloft for awhile about 10 yrs ago and it was ok. Maybe I will ask him to rx that for me....that is IF the walking and just getting out of this house doesn't do the trick. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if that is all I need:)

Thank you Mags!

-Pat

Xanax isn''t bad either, if you need something else for anxiety
Used to take that, Jaylo as well as Zoloftt, now only do Ativan to try to sleep. You need to force yourself to get out if yopu're physically able to and you should feel alittle better for doing so....Don't know if you live urban or rural but I try to walk where there are trees and not to many people, which can be difficult in a big city. Hope you start to feel better; thats the best revenge-getting parts of your life back.....steve

maglets

coloCan said:

Xanax isn''t bad either, if you need something else for anxiety
Used to take that, Jaylo as well as Zoloftt, now only do Ativan to try to sleep. You need to force yourself to get out if yopu're physically able to and you should feel alittle better for doing so....Don't know if you live urban or rural but I try to walk where there are trees and not to many people, which can be difficult in a big city. Hope you start to feel better; thats the best revenge-getting parts of your life back.....steve

Pat
I remember early in my cancer game my doc gave me an antidepressant and I was on the couch!!1 I mean I was zombied out....i hated it. Then a couple of years later I tried the effexor and that worked for me. if you are feeling deep in the hole I really might try for help again...I think they are drugs you have to play around with till you find the right one for you.

all best wishes and hugs

mags

5678dance

coloCan said:

Xanax isn''t bad either, if you need something else for anxiety
Used to take that, Jaylo as well as Zoloftt, now only do Ativan to try to sleep. You need to force yourself to get out if yopu're physically able to and you should feel alittle better for doing so....Don't know if you live urban or rural but I try to walk where there are trees and not to many people, which can be difficult in a big city. Hope you start to feel better; thats the best revenge-getting parts of your life back.....steve

Xanax
I find Xanax to be comforting. It is anti-anxiety rather than anti-depressant, so it doesn't put you in a zombie like state. It helps me when I get into a mood where I just want to stop the chemo, so I can feel normal again. Xanax gives me the will to come out fighting, and continue the treatments.

~Kathi

Jaylo969

coloCan said:

Xanax isn''t bad either, if you need something else for anxiety
Used to take that, Jaylo as well as Zoloftt, now only do Ativan to try to sleep. You need to force yourself to get out if yopu're physically able to and you should feel alittle better for doing so....Don't know if you live urban or rural but I try to walk where there are trees and not to many people, which can be difficult in a big city. Hope you start to feel better; thats the best revenge-getting parts of your life back.....steve

Steve & Mags
We finally had warmer weather today and I went out for a walk. I didn't get very far before fatigue hit but I did so much enjoy it. Now my old body is screaming in pain...ouch :)I will continue trying this remedy first and if it doesn't work out I see my PCP in about 2 weeks so will discuss alternatives then.I've been taking Ativan a couple nights a week to help w/sleep.

Thanks for the suggestions.

-Pat

coloCan

Jaylo969 said:

Steve & Mags
We finally had warmer weather today and I went out for a walk. I didn't get very far before fatigue hit but I did so much enjoy it. Now my old body is screaming in pain...ouch :)I will continue trying this remedy first and if it doesn't work out I see my PCP in about 2 weeks so will discuss alternatives then.I've been taking Ativan a couple nights a week to help w/sleep.

Thanks for the suggestions.

-Pat

Pat:Supposedly exercise is remedy for fatigue
but if you were able to exercise in the first place, you probably wouldn't be fatigued!!!Seriously, studies have concluded that exercise helps reduce chemo-induced fatigue. Try just moving about your apartment/home/front yard/street if thats all you can do; do arm movements witha can of soup in each hand if you can....Do what suits you best.....Little by little...it does get better....steve