BC

[Pokerkitty6]

I got my PET scan results back today and everything looks good. That part makes me feel better, but next week they are giving me a BCRA test to find out where cancer may pop up in my body next to help prevent. Alot of these cancers are carried from generation to generation, so I think everybody should have this test done. Its easier to try to prevent cancer, than to try to get rid of once you have it. I'm going in for surgery at 5am in the morning to insert my port for chemo. I won't have to stay overnight, just until I get my "bearings" together. My first chemo will be about a week after that. Anybody here ever have chemo? What am I in for? Can I drive ok afterwards? Like I said earlier, this is a learning experience for all of us. C-ya in a few minutes. Thanks for listening.

[BnLM5]

Pokerkitty, I have been doing some reading to see what I can come up with for you. I will keep reading on it and I will let you know if I find something I think you may be interested in or something that may be of help.

I have never had to go through chemo but have been with people who have and everyone reacts differently to it. Some feel ok and some don't. My friend Lana actually had an allergic reaction to the chemo. My friend Darryl felt ill and was sick from it but he drove himself there and back. Personally If it were me I would not go alone. For the simple fact you don't know how your body will react to it especially for the first treatment. Then you will know more about how you feel about the situation. And if you feel then that you can drive afterward then go for it. My opinion don't go alone to the first treatment.

I am happy to hear that your PET Scan results looked good. I bet you do feel better. It's almost like holding your breath and waiting.

After the surgery you just went through, the one you are having tomorrow will be a piece of cake, no doubt. Nonetheless you are and will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers every single day. I am with you! Surely you can you feel it?

See ya tomorrow!

[Pokerkitty6]

Thanks for your input B...I probably shouldn't drive after my first treatment because I don't know how I will handle it. I had surgery this morning to import my port for chemo. Right now I am very sore and tender. They put it by my collar bone. My bandage has a little blood on it, but they told me not to remove it for 48 hours. I need to eat soon. Haven't ate since yesterday. I have been in a deep sleep since I got home from the hospital around 11am. Can you believe I just woke up? I'm waiting for my husband to make me dinner. Yesterday I had a little more stress added to my plate....One of my brothers got into a little trouble, I won't go into detail about that, but Department of Children and Family's brought me his 11 year old daughter. She now, apparently has to live with us with no contact with her father. It's killing me because her father, age 31, is like my baby. We are very close, so I had no choice but to take his daughter. Her name is Marissa and it's going to be hard on her to watch me go thru this. Looks like now, I'm going to need advice on what to say to a child about my cancer. I had to already explain where my boobs went...This is going to make my journey harder, but I can't let the department have her. Tony and I are now under complete stress. Wish us luck....

[GloBug]

Thanks for your input B...I probably shouldn't drive after my first treatment because I don't know how I will handle it. I had surgery this morning to import my port for chemo. Right now I am very sore and tender. They put it by my collar bone. My bandage has a little blood on it, but they told me not to remove it for 48 hours. I need to eat soon. Haven't ate since yesterday. I have been in a deep sleep since I got home from the hospital around 11am. Can you believe I just woke up? I'm waiting for my husband to make me dinner. Yesterday I had a little more stress added to my plate....One of my brothers got into a little trouble, I won't go into detail about that, but Department of Children and Family's brought me his 11 year old daughter. She now, apparently has to live with us with no contact with her father. It's killing me because her father, age 31, is like my baby. We are very close, so I had no choice but to take his daughter. Her name is Marissa and it's going to be hard on her to watch me go thru this. Looks like now, I'm going to need advice on what to say to a child about my cancer. I had to already explain where my boobs went...This is going to make my journey harder, but I can't let the department have her. Tony and I are now under complete stress. Wish us luck....

well i am glad to see so far so good. well chemo sucks . i had to take my moms late husband to chemo because he couldnt drive after it. i mean they nuke u . wow yeah thats got to be hard to explain that. i know u will be good. just be vigilant in the chemo and recovery side and it will all work out.

[taylovesthebeatles]

Oh man Kitty that sucks hardcore! I'm very proud of you for taking her in though, that's what family is for! God will see you through all of this, don't you worry. And as your NDN family we'll do what we can to help pitch in too.

As for what to say to her about cancer, I'm not really sure as I've never had it explained to me when I was little, nor have I had to explain it to someone else who was young. I guess you could start by saying that Aunt Renee or whatever she calls you is very sick and needs lots of strong medicine and hospital visits to help her get better, and even though you'll see her start to look different and probably lose her hair, that's all part of the medicine and it's really working to make her better. It also may help to relate your new boob growth process to her own, so she'll not be so scared by it maybe. That'd give you two something to bond over at least, maybe.

If I think of any other ideas I'll let you know, but that's what I can think of for now. Stay strong Kitty, I love you!!

[BnLM5]

Thanks for your input B...I probably shouldn't drive after my first treatment because I don't know how I will handle it. I had surgery this morning to import my port for chemo. Right now I am very sore and tender. They put it by my collar bone. My bandage has a little blood on it, but they told me not to remove it for 48 hours. I need to eat soon. Haven't ate since yesterday. I have been in a deep sleep since I got home from the hospital around 11am. Can you believe I just woke up? I'm waiting for my husband to make me dinner. Yesterday I had a little more stress added to my plate....One of my brothers got into a little trouble, I won't go into detail about that, but Department of Children and Family's brought me his 11 year old daughter. She now, apparently has to live with us with no contact with her father. It's killing me because her father, age 31, is like my baby. We are very close, so I had no choice but to take his daughter. Her name is Marissa and it's going to be hard on her to watch me go thru this. Looks like now, I'm going to need advice on what to say to a child about my cancer. I had to already explain where my boobs went...This is going to make my journey harder, but I can't let the department have her. Tony and I are now under complete stress. Wish us luck....

Pokerkitty let go of the stress if possible. 11 year old girl is old enough to know the truth. Tell her exactly what is going on. She needs to know. Obviously she is having problems herself as well. She is prob under a great deal of stress also. So she prob needs to talk about the situation with her dad as well. I would suggest that you and Tony be totally open and honest with her in both situations. at 11 they are in between a child and teen and are far from stupid as you very well know. So just tell her how it is. Give her all the love you can. She will prob be a big help to you. Tell her you are sorry about her situation. But everything happens for a reason. Maybe God wants her there for you. Sometimes it is hard to see good things and reason in our lives because of all of the clouds but there is reason and I believe good will come of it.

I'm glad you have decided not to go alone to your fist treatment. I think you made a good decision there.

Glad your surgery went well. Just be careful with the port. My girlfriend had it also. Hers bled a little. But you don't want it to rip. So just take it easy and FOLLOW the doc's orders. K Lori

[BnLM5]

Pokerkitty how is your port today? And how are you feeling? I've just been wondering about you so I thought I would let you know.

[taylovesthebeatles]

Hey there Kitty just a thought for you based on another friend's experience with cancer- it's not breast cancer but ovarian but she is still starting chemo too. I don't know how you personally feel about all the chemo side effects and stuff but I know for my friend's mom, she had her daughter shave off all her hair before the chemo started so she wouldn't have to go through the trauma of watching it fall out. You're a really strong woman and I don't know if going through something like that would bother you, but in case you hadn't thought about it I thought I would offer that suggestion out for you. I love you hon!

[twenty47]

hey poker kitty, you're always in my thoughts and prayers (i don't pray everyday but I do when I feel like it) I know the feeling of recovery. I can't say I know about Cancer because I've been blessed (knock on wood) to not have it. I did however have a hysterectomy and lost every chance of ever of having another baby. I was however blessed with one baby, a beautiful boy. he's now 9 years old and I thank God everyday for him. I will never forget the pain of after surgery. In some way we're the same, you lost something personal and so did I, but you have the chance to get another, I on the other hand can't get another womb.. but i see the importance of a women's breast. With me it was partially my fault why it came about, with you, you had no choice and that's what makes it wrong. I wish we all lived in a perfect world and there was no cancer, no mistakes, no reason to lose. But we don't and i know it probably doesn't mean much but I'm glad you get to get that boob back and I'm sorry it hurts so much. don't overdue anything, when the dr's say rest, they mean rest.

[taylovesthebeatles]

hey poker kitty, you're always in my thoughts and prayers (i don't pray everyday but I do when I feel like it) I know the feeling of recovery. I can't say I know about Cancer because I've been blessed (knock on wood) to not have it. I did however have a hysterectomy and lost every chance of ever of having another baby. I was however blessed with one baby, a beautiful boy. he's now 9 years old and I thank God everyday for him. I will never forget the pain of after surgery. In some way we're the same, you lost something personal and so did I, but you have the chance to get another, I on the other hand can't get another womb.. but i see the importance of a women's breast. With me it was partially my fault why it came about, with you, you had no choice and that's what makes it wrong. I wish we all lived in a perfect world and there was no cancer, no mistakes, no reason to lose. But we don't and i know it probably doesn't mean much but I'm glad you get to get that boob back and I'm sorry it hurts so much. don't overdue anything, when the dr's say rest, they mean rest.

[Pokerkitty6]

Thanks Tay, I luv u too. Twenty, I also had a hystorectomy a couple of years ago. I waited until I was over 40 because I wanted kids. I never got pregnant so my brothers and sisters have shared theirs with me since birth. I have alot of relationships with alot of kids, I have about 33 neices and nephews under the age of 20. We have 4 newborns in the family this year and 1 already to pop into the new year. That's what happens when your decides to pop out 10 of her own. I'm really over the baby thing at this point and happy with not having any. I had no choice but to change my attitude on that one. Right now as a few days ago, I have my 10 year neice living with me by court orders. I would rather her be here than in a foster home. This is not the first time I have been down this road. I come from a very disfunctional family. I wish one day we will have a world of no cancer. Alot of us do. Hey B...my port feels like it is fragile, like if I roll over it might pop out. I know it won't, but because it's new to me I feel it. I was able to shower and my bandages off today. I also had a cardiogram today. That's like an ultrasound of your heart. They want to make sure my heart is strong for the chemo they are going to give me. Hey Tay, I thought about shaving my head now, but my doctor said to wait because I won't loose my hair until about 3 weeks after my first treatment. One of my members at work gave me a short red headed wig. It's pretty sexy. My green eyes look blue when I have it on. I have to buy a couple more this week and get myself prepared. Thank you all for the advice and inspiration you have given me. You are all helping more than you will ever know. I do appreciate you!