Update on chemo and cancer

[Guest guest]

Cancer patients who need a ride to and from treatment, or those interested in becoming a volunteer driver, should call the American Cancer Society toll free at

1-800-ACS-2345.

I wonder if they could help out.........

American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp?level=0

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

[Guest guest]

Lynda, Have you checked these out ? ?

Colorado Breast Cancer Support Resources Directory

http://www.breastcancercolorado.org/04supportorganizations/supportorg_transportation.shtml

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Transportation

(S) = Servicios disponibles en espanol. Services available in Spanish

American Cancer Society• Road to Recovery — Patient transportation to treatment may be available. Check with your local ACS office for the availability of programs in your area.

(S) Angel Flight West888-4-AN-ANGEL or 888-426-2643

• Provides free air transportation to medical treatment

e-mail: info@...

www.angelflight.org

(S) Corporate Angel Network866-328-1313

• Arranges free air transportation for cancer patients

e-mail: info@...

www.corpangelnetwork.org

Mobile Access303-274-9895

• Private metro Denver service. Reservations preferred. Fees based on point of origin and destination. Driver provides physical assistance as needed. Not Medicaid authorized.

National Patient Travel Center 4620 Haygood Rd., Suite 1, Virginia Beach, VA 23455, 800-675-1405 or National Patient Travel Helpline, 800-296-1217

• Assists patients in accessing appropriate charitable medical air transportation resources for specialized medical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment

www.patienttravel.org

email: info@...

(S) Seniors’ Resource Center Breast Cancer Treatment Support Project303-235-6972. Available 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM., Monday through Friday

• Will provide non-emergency transportation for any age person in treatment for breast cancer to doctor visits, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, continuing follow-up care, and survivorship services.

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

[Guest guest]

Lynda ~

I am happy you found the regeim

that feels right. I hope it works miracles

for you, and even knocks out the bone

cancer. You continue to be an inspiration

to us all.

You are always in my prayers !

Love

Dede**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

[Guest guest]

Dede,

I checked this out, but because I go 120 miles round trip instead of

locally, it is not available.

Lynda

At 08:40 AM 8/30/2008, you wrote:

>Cancer patients who need a ride to and from treatment, or those

>interested in becoming a volunteer driver, should call the American

>Cancer Society toll free at

>1-800-ACS-2345.

>

> I wonder if they could help out.........

>

><http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp?level=0>American

>Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast,

>Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms

>http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp?level=0

>

>

>

>**************

>It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here.

>(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

>

[Guest guest]

Cathie,

I could get treatment locally, but the best place in Colorado is

Rocky MT. Cancer Centers, and they are not local. So, I will drive

120 mile every week for treatment. At least once a week. Sometimes

I have to go there twice in a week. If we have a blizzard, I just

won't go until the roads are better. Most days I could get there, it

would just be getting out of my own block that would be the problem.

Lynda

At 04:11 AM 8/30/2008, you wrote:

>

> >

> > Hi Lynda:

>

>I sure hate to think of you driving back and forth for these

>treatments, while not feeling well, considering that you will be going

>into the winter weather for at least part of this treament. Is there

>anyone else who could drive you if this gets to be a problem?

>

>Am I correct in assuming you are not able to get the treatment locally?

>

>Cathie

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Dede,

It will be a tough regimen, 3 weeks on and one week off. I am sure I

will survive it. Hope it knocks out the cancer in my liver and lung.

I was glad to finally have a decision and a plan.

Keep up the prayers. It is still a long road.

Lynda

At 08:30 AM 8/30/2008, you wrote:

>Goodmorning Lynda ~

>

> Wow, sounds like you have a good

>new regeim to get rid of the cancer !

>That is great ! ! I read about the Abraxene

>and it sounds like it has some positives

>to it.

>

> You are always in my thoughts and prayers

>Lynda, Love you ~ Dede

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>**************

>It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here.

>(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

>

[Guest guest]

Sweet Lynda:

Thank you for sharing your painful journey with us. This will be a long healing process for you, but we will all be here to help you in any way that we can. I too, worry about you driving so far for your treatments. You know what is best for you, and that is so important. Doctors seem to think that they know what is best, but we know better.

Sending love and prayers to you....Lea

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``

Update on chemo and cancer

Hi everyone.This is my update after seeing my Oncologist this afternoon.I begin a new chemotherapy regimen on Sept. 10th. This will include two chemotherapy drugs, Abraxane and Gemzar. I will have treatment every week for three weeks and then have one week off, then repeat the cycle. After a few months we will do another PET scan to check results. Probably in early December.This chemotherapy has a good chance of reducing the size of my tumors. No guarantees. I don't know if it will continue for more than three months, depends on how well I tolerate it and if it is working. It definitely has the potential of causing problems with red and white blood counts, so these may have to be treated. Blood tests will be done weekly to keep track of any problems that could occur. If it is working well, it will probably continue through January, maybe February. I may have radiation after the chemo ends. That has been discussed several times, but chemo has to be completed first.I am feeling ok now, still tired and weak, but not excessively so. I may be more tired and weak when I start the new chemo regime. Side effects may have some similarities and some differences. Hand/foot syndrome is not a side effect of this chemo, but peripheral neuropathy may be. Hair loss is not listed as a major side effect, but it is a side effect of both types of chemo. Nausea is listed as a side effect for both, but is generally able to be controlled by anti-emetics. An itchy rash is listed as a side effect to both, so hope that I don't get it or, if I do, it can be controlled. I will know more about side effects after a few treatments, I am sure.My sister plans on going home the end of September, so I will be dealing with this pretty much on my own. So, I hope it is not too much to handle. I have to drive 120 miles round trip each week. Generally I don't feel really bad the day of the chemo, so getting home is not a problem (so far).If you have any questions, let me know. I try to do an update whenever anything important or really different occurs.Lynda

[Guest guest]

Lynda,

I like that you say their is a good chance of reducing the tumors. I

am sorry your sister has to leave though. I'll pray that the side

effects are tolerable and that you get to keep your hair.

Sorry I haven't been on the board too much. Still busy w/ the house

and getting it fixed as well as work has been keeping me on my toes.

Feeling so-so - continue to take it a day at a time.

Love,

>

> Lynda ~

>

> I am happy you found the regeim

> that feels right. I hope it works miracles

> for you, and even knocks out the bone

> cancer. You continue to be an inspiration

> to us all.

> You are always in my prayers !

> Love

> Dede

>

>

> **************

> It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your

> travel deal here.

>

> (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

>

[Guest guest]

Lynda,It's great to hear you sound more positive . . . and to hear your doctors have come up with a plan of attack.We'll keep praying this is the answer for you! . . . Wish your sister could stay longer though. . . She's an angel for staying as long as she has though. I know it was a sacrifice for her. . . How is she doing now?I wish you were here . . . we'd see to it you had transportation!Any chance someone there could supervise your chemo under the guidance of your doctors if it gets to be too much to drive?Hugs and prayers,Rogene

[Guest guest]

Rogene,

The plan of attack was as much mine as the doctors. He wanted me on

Aromatase Inhibitors.

This may be a temporary answer. When the cancer is greatly reduced

or gone from my lung and liver, then I will be on Aromatase

inhibitors. Generally they work about 6 months, then they try

another one. When those quit working, they can try chemo again, but

it is more difficult to get it to work at that point. And, sometimes

you don't want to go through that again. By then, maybe they will

come up with some new answers. If not, then, the cancer wins.

I would not have my chemo in Greeley. I will get to Boulder somehow.

My sister is doing pretty well, recovering well from her back

surgery. Her dental work is still in progress. She had two dental

implants for her lower dentures. My prosthodontist is going to do

all the finish work. It will be done by the 20th of Sept., I

think. She wants to get back to her home, her birds and her dog and

get her yard back in shape. Of course, in Hawaii, you can do that year round.

Hopefully I will not be any sicker than I was in Feb. when I started

the Doxil. I remember having a hard time eating much of

anything. At least I won't have the hand/foot syndrome, so I will be

able to have my hands in water, do dishes, etc. And I won't have to

take tepid showers, I don't think.

Hope your radiation treatment is going well.

Big hugs,

Lynda

At 03:58 PM 8/30/2008, you wrote:

>Lynda,

>

>It's great to hear you sound more positive . . . and to hear your

>doctors have come up with a plan of attack.

>

>We'll keep praying this is the answer for you! . . .

>

>Wish your sister could stay longer though. . . She's an angel for

>staying as long as she has though. I know it was a sacrifice for

>her. . . How is she doing now?

>

>I wish you were here . . . we'd see to it you had transportation!

>

>Any chance someone there could supervise your chemo under the

>guidance of your doctors if it gets to be too much to drive?

>

>Hugs and prayers,

>

>Rogene

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Glad you are getting the work done on your home. Did you have to

replace the whole roof?

Diet is the most important part of getting your health back. It is

so easy to fall off the diet, most do periodically and then find out

they have to get back on it.

I hope that I don't get so sick that I am unable to drive to Boulder

and back. I doubt that will happen. I may be very weak, but driving

is not too hard on me.

I will continue to use the cold cap on my head. The nurses will have

to help me put it on. There is little pre-treatment with this

chemo. Each of them is about a 30 minute infusion. So, I will be

there less than 2 hours unless I have some kind of problem.

I dread starting a new regimen. I am working on psyching myself up for it.

Love, Lynda

At 10:18 AM 8/30/2008, you wrote:

>Lynda,

>

>I like that you say their is a good chance of reducing the tumors. I

>am sorry your sister has to leave though. I'll pray that the side

>effects are tolerable and they you get to keep your hair again.

>

>Sorry I haven't been on the board too much. Still busy w/ the house

>and getting it fixed as well as work has been keeping me on my toes.

>Feeling so so - continue to take it a day at a time.

>

>Love,

>

>

> >

> > Hi everyone.

> >

> > This is my update after seeing my Oncologist this afternoon.

> >

> > I begin a new chemotherapy regimen on Sept. 10th. This will

>include

> > two chemotherapy drugs, Abraxane and Gemzar. I will have treatment

> > every week for three weeks and then have one week off, then repeat

> > the cycle. After a few months we will do another PET scan to check

> > results. Probably in early December.

> >

> > This chemotherapy has a good chance of reducing the size of my

> > tumors. No guarantees. I don't know if it will continue for more

> > than three months, depends on how well I tolerate it and if it is

> > working. It definitely has the potential of causing problems with

> > red and white blood counts, so these may have to be treated. Blood

> > tests will be done weekly to keep track of any problems that could

> > occur. If it is working well, it will probably continue through

> > January, maybe February. I may have radiation after the chemo

> > ends. That has been discussed several times, but chemo has to be

> > completed first.

> >

> > I am feeling ok now, still tired and weak, but not excessively so.

>I

> > may be more tired and weak when I start the new chemo regime. Side

> > effects may have some similarities and some differences. Hand/foot

> > syndrome is not a side effect of this chemo, but peripheral

> > neuropathy may be. Hair loss is not listed as a major side effect,

> > but it is a side effect of both types of chemo. Nausea is listed

>as

> > a side effect for both, but is generally able to be controlled by

> > anti-emetics. An itchy rash is listed as a side effect to both, so

> > hope that I don't get it or, if I do, it can be controlled. I will

> > know more about side effects after a few treatments, I am sure.

> >

> > My sister plans on going home the end of September, so I will be

> > dealing with this pretty much on my own. So, I hope it is not too

> > much to handle. I have to drive 120 miles round trip each

> > week. Generally I don't feel really bad the day of the chemo, so

> > getting home is not a problem (so far).

> >

> > If you have any questions, let me know. I try to do an update

> > whenever anything important or really different occurs.

> >

> > Lynda

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lea,

This will be a long process, and when I am finished with chemo, I may

do radiation, then for sure I will be doing aromatase

inhibitors. Those generally work about 6 months, then they switch to

another, which hopefully also works about 6 months. They have a

bunch of them. When they quit working, then they can try more chemo,

if I feel that I want to deal with that again. Otherwise, the cancer

then wins.

Hopefully by then they come up with new treatments.

Hope you are doing well, when are they going to fix that knee?

Love,

Lynda

At 09:50 AM 8/30/2008, you wrote:

>Sweet Lynda:

>

>Thank you for sharing your painful journey with us. This will be a

>long healing process for you, but we will all be here to help you in

>any way that we can. I too, worry about you driving so far for your

>treatments. You know what is best for you, and that is so important.

>Doctors seem to think that they know what is best, but we know better.

>

>Sending love and prayers to you....Lea

>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, the social worker at the center contacted all the services that

provide transportation. None would transport me as far as I go.

There are many services that I do receive, so I am not

complaining. But, hopefully I won't need help getting to chemo treatment.

Lynda

At 09:46 AM 8/30/2008, you wrote:

>Lynda, Have you checked these out ? ?

>

><http://www.breastcancercolorado.org/04supportorganizations/supportorg_transpor\

tation.shtml>Colorado

>Breast Cancer Support Resources Directory

>

>http://www.breastcancercolorado.org/04supportorganizations/supportorg_transport\

ation.shtml

[Guest guest]

Lynda,

Yes, we had the roof, gutters and house painted so far. We still

need 7 of our windows replaced. The glass was never broke but the

moldings around the windows were busted. It has been stressful. I

will be happy when everything is finished.

If I didn't work, I could take you. This new regimen sounds so

hopeful. I hope it will work to psych you up!

I am having the same joint pain in my fingers. I find my self

unconsciously (SP?) clentching my fingers and then when I realize

this, it hurts. Other than that I have the sharp ear pains still. I

wonder if that is my thyroid. I can't complain though, I am able to

be fairly active and live a near normal life.

> > >

> > > Hi everyone.

> > >

> > > This is my update after seeing my Oncologist this afternoon.

> > >

> > > I begin a new chemotherapy regimen on Sept. 10th. This will

> >include

> > > two chemotherapy drugs, Abraxane and Gemzar. I will have

treatment

> > > every week for three weeks and then have one week off, then

repeat

> > > the cycle. After a few months we will do another PET scan to

check

> > > results. Probably in early December.

> > >

> > > This chemotherapy has a good chance of reducing the size of my

> > > tumors. No guarantees. I don't know if it will continue for more

> > > than three months, depends on how well I tolerate it and if it

is

> > > working. It definitely has the potential of causing problems

with

> > > red and white blood counts, so these may have to be treated.

Blood

> > > tests will be done weekly to keep track of any problems that

could

> > > occur. If it is working well, it will probably continue through

> > > January, maybe February. I may have radiation after the chemo

> > > ends. That has been discussed several times, but chemo has to be

> > > completed first.

> > >

> > > I am feeling ok now, still tired and weak, but not excessively

so.

> >I

> > > may be more tired and weak when I start the new chemo regime.

Side

> > > effects may have some similarities and some differences.

Hand/foot

> > > syndrome is not a side effect of this chemo, but peripheral

> > > neuropathy may be. Hair loss is not listed as a major side

effect,

> > > but it is a side effect of both types of chemo. Nausea is listed

> >as

> > > a side effect for both, but is generally able to be controlled

by

> > > anti-emetics. An itchy rash is listed as a side effect to both,

so

> > > hope that I don't get it or, if I do, it can be controlled. I

will

> > > know more about side effects after a few treatments, I am sure.

> > >

> > > My sister plans on going home the end of September, so I will be

> > > dealing with this pretty much on my own. So, I hope it is not

too

> > > much to handle. I have to drive 120 miles round trip each

> > > week. Generally I don't feel really bad the day of the chemo, so

> > > getting home is not a problem (so far).

> > >

> > > If you have any questions, let me know. I try to do an update

> > > whenever anything important or really different occurs.

> > >

> > > Lynda

> > >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

Does it take that long to order the windows, or is it that so much

work is being done in Windsor that they just don't have time to get

to yours??????

If I don't get really sick, I will be psyched. And if it works, I

will be psyched. I will still have to go on the anti-hormones early

next year. And maybe do radiation. I want the shooting pains out of my chest.

I don't think the pains you are describing are your thyroid. As for

the ears, are you sure you are not clenching your teeth???? At

night, especially?

It took me 5 years to think I could live a nearly normal life, so if

you are doing this well now and you watch your diet, I think pretty

normal is in your future.

Lynda

At 10:34 AM 8/31/2008, you wrote:

>Lynda,

>

>Yes, we had the roof, gutters and house painted so far. We still

>need 7 of our windows replaced. The glass was never broke but the

>moldings around the windows were busted. It has been stressful. I

>will be happy when everything is finished.

>

>If I didn't work, I could take you. This new regimen sounds so

>hopeful. I hope it will work to psych you up!

>

>I am having the same joint pain in my fingers. I find my self

>unconsciously (SP?) clentching my fingers and then when I realize

>this, it hurts. Other than that I have the sharp ear pains still. I

>wonder if that is my thyroid. I can't complain though, I am able to

>be fairly active and live a near normal life.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ah, thank you for the hope Lynda. I may be clentching my teeth

because I am doing it with my fingers all night! Do you know what

causes me to do this (teeth or fingers)?

The shooting pains do not sound good. Are you doing arimidex?

Our insurance company didn't like how high the quotes were we got.

So they came back out this week to remeasure and such. We finally

found a place who can replace our window in Ft. . The other 2

quotes we rec were from companies who said our window was obsolete.

I do think it has taken so long because the contractors are so busy

though. Pain in the rear.

>

> >Lynda,

> >

> >Yes, we had the roof, gutters and house painted so far. We still

> >need 7 of our windows replaced. The glass was never broke but the

> >moldings around the windows were busted. It has been stressful. I

> >will be happy when everything is finished.

> >

> >If I didn't work, I could take you. This new regimen sounds so

> >hopeful. I hope it will work to psych you up!

> >

> >I am having the same joint pain in my fingers. I find my self

> >unconsciously (SP?) clentching my fingers and then when I realize

> >this, it hurts. Other than that I have the sharp ear pains still. I

> >wonder if that is my thyroid. I can't complain though, I am able to

> >be fairly active and live a near normal life.

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

I would get a dental splint to wear at night before you have major

problems with TMJ and also you can crack your teeth and have to have

major dental work.. Stress, stress, stress, that is what causes the

clenching of hands and teeth.

I am not on Armidex or any Aromatase Inhibitors yet, after chemo and

radiation that comes.

Lynda

At 07:54 AM 9/1/2008, you wrote:

>Ah, thank you for the hope Lynda. I may be clentching my teeth

>because I am doing it with my fingers all night! Do you know what

>causes me to do this (teeth or fingers)?

>

>The shooting pains do not sound good. Are you doing arimidex?

>

>Our insurance company didn't like how high the quotes were we got.

>So they came back out this week to remeasure and such. We finally

>found a place who can replace our window in Ft. . The other 2

>quotes we rec were from companies who said our window was obsolete.

>I do think it has taken so long because the contractors are so busy

>though. Pain in the rear.

>

>

>

>

> >

> > >Lynda,

> > >

> > >Yes, we had the roof, gutters and house painted so far. We still

> > >need 7 of our windows replaced. The glass was never broke but the

> > >moldings around the windows were busted. It has been stressful. I

> > >will be happy when everything is finished.

> > >

> > >If I didn't work, I could take you. This new regimen sounds so

> > >hopeful. I hope it will work to psych you up!

> > >

> > >I am having the same joint pain in my fingers. I find my self

> > >unconsciously (SP?) clentching my fingers and then when I realize

> > >this, it hurts. Other than that I have the sharp ear pains still. I

> > >wonder if that is my thyroid. I can't complain though, I am able to

> > >be fairly active and live a near normal life.

> > >

> > >

> >

>

>