Fuck Cancer

[TBS]

She just had her fourth poisoning. They came three weeks apart. Gets her last GCSF shot today.

I thought about your comments re: depression a lot two weeks ago. Appreciated your candor - it really helped me help her. Thanks

Radiation will start Sept 7, and run until Oct 3. Radiologist sez it will be a cakewalk compared to chemo but I still have terror flashbacks over how it almost killed our daughter 28 years ago. I know, it’s not rational…

And a PSA regarding GCSF shots. As many here know, bone pain is a tough side effect with these shots. Doc told her yesterday to take Claritin or Zyrtec or similar to counter the pain by reducing swelling. Sure would have been nice to know that at the jump.

[::: :::]

Happy healing to mrs tbs

[Trackhead]

Claritin did zero for me….bone pain eventually didn’t occur after about four months…but those first 8 infusions, the GCSF shots sucked at night. Couldn’t sleep for shit, up all night.

Nothing worked for bone pain, I didn’t go down the opioid path.

[TBS]

I’m not gonna tell her that, but thanks for the intel.
She’s starting on Zyrtec since we have a bunch of that around the house already.
And truth be told, she’s taken a couple of Oxys we have left over from surgeries when shit gets intolerable. Not even within eyesight of abuse though.

Hopin this round isn’t as harsh as the last one

And thanks AC

[Trackhead]

Some folks do get relief with Claritin, so who knows? I wouldn’t say anything either. I have nothing against opioids, especially for the bone pain stuff, but I know myself too well and they are dangerous for me.

[TBS]

Anybody here have indirect experience with anastrozole (Arimidex)? Supposed to reduce estrogen. Ms TBS is supposed to take it for five years. The side effects do not look fun

[cspringsposer]

Some folks do get relief with Claritin, so who knows? I wouldn’t say anything either. I have nothing against opioids, especially for the bone pain stuff, but I know myself too well and they are dangerous for me.

The oncologist started my wife on Claritin the day before her first infusion. She takes is every day and her bone pain hasn't been to terrible. Maybe the Claritin or maybe just luck.

[cspringsposer]

She just had her fourth poisoning. They came three weeks apart. Gets her last GCSF shot today.
.

Really glad Mrs TBS is almost through the worst of it. Chemo is absolutely brutal!

Spending 7 hours at a chemo center is one of the most gut wrenching things I have ever done. I had no idea chemo completely destroys you the way I am seeing it do. Truly praying they can find another way to treat cancer in the very near future.

[TBS]

Just got home from Ms TBS’ last radiation treatment.

Three surgeries, four chemo rounds and 19 trips to radiation.
Or as she puts it “They cut me three times, poisoned me four times and burned me 19 times. And I’m still here”.

When she came back to the lobby after this last treatment I said loudly “burned 19 times and you didn’t burst into flames. You’re not a witch!” She wasn’t pleased…

I suggested for Halloween she dress as a dominatrix. With no/minimal hair she can apply a temp tattoo to her skull, dress in leather with a whip and put me on a chain collar.

Didn’t get much enthusiasm for that idea…

Her oncologist wants her to go on some sort of maintenance drug for five years but she says the known regular side effects aren’t worth it for a 10% improvement in 10 yr survivability. Quality > Quantity.

I definitely appreciate all the insight and support during this tough time…

[Meadow Skipper]

Basically good news there, TBS. I guess her not bursting into flames from radiation was a better test, on some level, than throwing her in the pond.

I kind of like the dominatrix idea. Maybe bring it up again when she’s rested from the treatments.

[TBS]

^^^ She didn’t sink in the hot tub after chemo, and no toads emerged when they cut her open, so we were relatively confident.

Gotta say, the “sunburn” from the radiation is pretty heinous

[Buster Highmen]

++++

[Trackhead]

When she came back to the lobby after this last treatment I said loudly “burned 19 times and you didn’t burst into flames. You’re not a witch!” She wasn’t pleased…

…

My wife said I looked like a naked mole rat after chemo. I laughed, but was also kinda annoyed, even though it was true.

Not having hair as a guy isn't a big deal, but no eyelashes/eyebrows was pretty high on the self conscious score.

Glad you two, as a couple, get to take a break from healthcare intensity. It's a LOT to go through, being a literally guinea pig for the medical world treatments.

[Trackhead]

Spending 7 hours at a chemo center is one of the most gut wrenching things I have ever done. I had no idea chemo completely destroys you the way I am seeing it do. Truly praying they can find another way to treat cancer in the very near future.

I did 12 infusions, every other week, for six months. 7 hour days were so brutal, and got much harder as the treatment progressed. I couldn't eat or drink anything during those infusions. Totally trashed.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Just lost my original ski mentor to melanoma. He taught me how to zipperline bumps and ski powder in tight, steep trees on skinny skis. He became a serious Ironman competitor in his late 30's and placed near the top of his age group in big races for a decade or so. Growing up he was the best skier and only serious endurance athlete I knew. He was also the most persistently positive person I ever met. He found joy in everything. He also found a way to turn everything into a competition that made it more fun. About ten years ago we went for a swim offshore from Cape Cod and a bunch of seals started popping up around us. He announced, "whoever touches a seal first is champion of the world." We didn't touch a seal but we laughed our asses off and got a good workout in.

I didn't see him much in recent years. His wife is deep into Alzheimer's and even he couldn't stay positive all the time. He started getting a little paranoid and into conspiracy theories. It was hard to be around. I wish I went to see him more anyway.

RIP Tim...

[TBS]

^^^Vibes to you and his survivors. Sounds like a great guy. Maybe the stress from his wife’s dementia took him down the conspiracy rabbit hole. RIP

My wife said I looked like a naked mole rat after chemo. I laughed, but was also kinda annoyed, even though it was true.

Not having hair as a guy isn't a big deal, but no eyelashes/eyebrows was pretty high on the self conscious score.

Glad you two, as a couple, get to take a break from healthcare intensity. It's a LOT to go through, being a literally guinea pig for the medical world treatments.

Naked mole rat is apt and funny but no fucking way I’m saying that to her.

Ms TBS said losing the hair in her nose was the worst. Constant runny nose.

[cspringsposer]

Congratulations TBS! Thrilled Mrs TBS can hopefully put this nightmare behind her now. Chemo is one of the more inhumane things I have seen and it amazes how people survive it.

[cspringsposer]

I did 12 infusions, every other week, for six months. 7 hour days were so brutal, and got much harder as the treatment progressed. I couldn't eat or drink anything during those infusions. Totally trashed.

My wife has now finished 7 rounds of chemo and each one is more brutal than the last. I'm honestly not sure how to help her get through 5 more rounds. Fuck cancer!

[TBS]

Vibes to Ms CSP. It‘s a tough go- for all concerned.
Be kind to yourselves

[Trackhead]

My wife has now finished 7 rounds of chemo and each one is more brutal than the last. I'm honestly not sure how to help her get through 5 more rounds. Fuck cancer!

My wife just was positive, told me I could do it, offered support and listened to me whine like a child at my lowest of lows. She saved my life with her compassion and listening. That’s all you need to go. Just listen.

[yeahman]

Friend of mine posted this on FB.

[TBS]

I suggested for Halloween she dress as a dominatrix. With no/minimal hair she can apply a temp tattoo to her skull, dress in leather with a whip and put me on a chain collar.

Didn’t get much enthusiasm for that idea…

Update - no go on the dominatrix for Halloween.
She sez she’s gonna dye the stubble of new hair green - and be a chia pet

Her oncologist wants her to go on some sort of maintenance drug for five years but she says the known regular side effects aren’t worth it for a 10% improvement in 10 yr survivability. Quality > Quantity.

Update 2 - her oncologist had no issue with her not doing the maintenance drug. Turns out large-scale survivability rate is only a couple of percentage points better, but the risk of osteoporosis and broken bones goes up 10%.

And question for those who have been through chemo - how long did it take for the “chemo fog” to lift?
She’s still struggling after two months. And she still has little energy

[Trackhead]

I did six mos chemo and never really got brain fog (unless I just don’t notice it). I kept working a little to keep my head in the game. I’m forgetting stuff, but that was happening before cancer, I’m 51.

[Trackhead]

Friend of mine posted this on FB.

100% accurate. I thought I knew suffering through chemo. But now I see innocent Gaza people and see there’s another level to suffering. Not being polyasshat, just perspective.

[abraham]

Well several months in and I've still got my dad, our business, and my gf. The first cycle of six chemo treatments seemed to be working well up until the last round when my dad didn't bounce back after the second week and instead seemed to be in more pain. He went from nearly unable to walk at the first treatment to walking decent distances after the 3rd, 4th, and 5th.

But the pet scan after the last dose clearly showed some of the cancer didn't respond to the treatment. Tomorrow he's getting a tube put in to harvest his blood for one of the CART cell therapies on Thursday, then a bridging round of chemo again. The t cell therapies seem technically impressive and futuristic but he has to be monitored 24/⁷ for a month after injection. Some of that's at the clinic but only during business hours and only some days. My mom thought she could watch for side effects solo but I've convinced her that's a quick path to burnout and to let me help. Guess I'm not skiing until the new year but like many things that got pushed to the side this year, that's a minor complaint.