Port Numbing Cream & Blood Tests & Gemzar

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  • Susan523
    Susan523 Member Posts: 231 Member
    #22
    kayandok said:

    Thanks Susan
    Thanks Susan, for your response. I was a bit confused, I think. I understood you to say you were finishing up your 6th and last cycle. But, you will be doing 8? Sorry for all the questions....

    Warm hugs,
    kathleen

    My chemo is ending for now...
    My Dear Kathleen:

    Please don't apologize; that's why we're here. Sad to meet this way, but we're all in this together, in a way.

    I am ending my 3rd set of chemotherapy; this last one being Gemzar alone. The treatment was in 3-week cycles: Chemo on Day 1 and Day 8, then a week off. So on week 4 I would begin a "cylc" again of Day 1, day 8, and a week off. This was done for 6 cycles. Of course I had the pleasure of reporting for blood draws weekly. (We all get tired of that, to be sure).

    Rather than thinking about saying "good-bye" (which I have also done), try to focus on something else; something more positive. Maybe you can try making a Vision Board. What I did
    is I got a large poster board from Wal-Mart, and just started going through magazines and finding the things I like. Not only photos, but words. Cut them out and paste them on your future. I have a 3-dimensional butterfly on there; lots of pictures of my favorite foods, inspiring words, favorite things to do (cruise ship!), things like that. Just sit with a pile of old magazines, scissors, and a glue stick, and get creative!! It's really lots of fun. In fact, I may work on mine some more today~ it's been a while and needs a few new things on it. It's getting more crowded on there now; like a 'collage'.

    Let me know how you're doing, and if you have any more questions. You can also reach me at dogsmom@charter.net

    ((hugs!))
    ~Susan
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #23
    Susan523 said:

    My chemo is ending for now...
    My Dear Kathleen:

    Please don't apologize; that's why we're here. Sad to meet this way, but we're all in this together, in a way.

    I am ending my 3rd set of chemotherapy; this last one being Gemzar alone. The treatment was in 3-week cycles: Chemo on Day 1 and Day 8, then a week off. So on week 4 I would begin a "cylc" again of Day 1, day 8, and a week off. This was done for 6 cycles. Of course I had the pleasure of reporting for blood draws weekly. (We all get tired of that, to be sure).

    Rather than thinking about saying "good-bye" (which I have also done), try to focus on something else; something more positive. Maybe you can try making a Vision Board. What I did
    is I got a large poster board from Wal-Mart, and just started going through magazines and finding the things I like. Not only photos, but words. Cut them out and paste them on your future. I have a 3-dimensional butterfly on there; lots of pictures of my favorite foods, inspiring words, favorite things to do (cruise ship!), things like that. Just sit with a pile of old magazines, scissors, and a glue stick, and get creative!! It's really lots of fun. In fact, I may work on mine some more today~ it's been a while and needs a few new things on it. It's getting more crowded on there now; like a 'collage'.

    Let me know how you're doing, and if you have any more questions. You can also reach me at dogsmom@charter.net

    ((hugs!))
    ~Susan

    Story board
    Thanks Susan for the story board idea. I used to do that with my English students and it was always a huge hit. I will do that this week. Sometimes I don't even realize I'm becoming negative, so thanks for the reminder.

    Warm hugs,
    Kathleen:)
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #24
    kayandok said:

    tamoxifen
    Yes, that is also one of the options on the table. I think femara is better for the ovca? I can get that here as long as I pay out of pocket. Can I take that with the chemo, I don't remember, or do I have to stop chemo to do that? I have a high % for for the Estrogen receptor on my molecular blueprint from last month. Doc says I should at least try it for a few months......

    Having so many options is a bit stressful. I just wish there was a "set treatment". I know that is so pie-in-the-sky.... All of us being an individual and our cancer being so individualistic makes things so complicated, doesn't it?

    I will think about what subject the new post topic could be. Maybe "how do I decide the next step?" or "how do I know when enough chemo is enough?" or "what is palliative care?" "how do I prepare for leaving my kids when I don't know if I have 6 months or 6 years?" Hmmmmm they are all good questions to hear responses on.... I will process a bit more today.

    Thanks for listening...

    Your calm and peaceful mind has been a strength to me.
    Hugs,
    Kathleen:)

    Femara
    I have been on Femara since last October. It slowed the rise in CA125 but did not stop it. I have had nine months with no chemo for which I am grateful. The side effects I had were numerous hot flashes that have slowed in the last couple of months and loss of bone density. I had to start Fosamax again a couple of months ago. It is expensive here in the States...$10 a pill taken every day. I think that the time off of chemo was good for my body and soul. I will find out in July what the next step will be suggested for me.
    My CA 125 has now reached 166. I do not think you take it with chemo. How would you know which was working?

    Hugs, Saundra

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