You are so right about our fur friends. I have a cat and a kitten. They both instinctively know when I need some closeness.

I found that ginger helped with the queasiness. There is chrystalized ginger which is a bit sweeter and I've also used chewable ginger tabs. They are sold for sea/motion sickness.

How generous of you to have lunch with someone who is hurting in yet another way. The human condition is so fragile.

I understand your comments about sarcastic humor. I am currently trying to make a decision as to how/if I want to have a 'familiy' relationship with my brother. He has been disrespectful for years and it has magnified now that he lives closer because there has been more contact. I have stopped verbal communication with him and started working with a therapist to see if I can sort all of this out. Seems like there is always something to deal with.

Sounds like you are being 'self-ful' and taking care of yourself. Thank you for taking the time to share.

faith,love,hope,courage,peace

tiara

Tiara,

many thanks for all your good thoughts brought my way.............sometimes i feel i am writing here to let off steam and help myself obtain more ground on my journey.at the same time yes i do hope someone else can be helped by my journaling........years ago i had a stroke and would have given my right arm to listen to someone advise me on what to expect.i never found a support group at that time so i do appreciate this group here..............i have always had a sense of humor in my lifes dealings............my siblings and my dad  all have a sarcastic sense of humor that really turns me off......especially since i was always the target of their sarcastic remarks...........

today i began with the queasiness.............and loss of appetite..........but i ended up buying lunch for a neighbor that lost her hubby 2 weeks ago and she enjoyed the few minutes i had to share..............i must say i did not enjoy the lunch as it  had no taste tho she said it was good..........i was told by a survivor to try peppermint tea and in a few minutes i am going to start on it............i was also told by another cancer survivor to try small sips of choc milk as that helped her.........i have been doing that and so far the queasiness has not gotten worse.........drinking fluids is a must so i do make sure i get plenty of them in me tho i don't like water.so it's a struggle............tonight i am going to make some homemade chicken noodle soup......and may try some of that later.......

my neighbor was surprissed at my hair loss........lol........... but i notice my eyebrows not as thick either.........eyelashes have been thinning too.......i must be old as it doesn't seem to bother me anymore.i could care less about using my wigs.......my poor dog can't figure out what's going on but he still stays by my side........what would we do without our faithful furfriends?

hugs to all.....joan

Thank you for taking the time to share your journey. You may never know who you have helped by doing this. I wish that I would have had some first hand sharing from others when I went through the chemo process now almost 3 years ago. I am happy to see that you have maintained a sense of humor. I think the journaling also helps the 'patient'. Take care and  find a gratitude piece is this experience to share on Thanksgiving. I offer up my good thoughts for you.

love,peace,hope,courage,faith

tiara

i went today for genetic testing and counseling.they do not feel i meet the criteria for genetic cancer.there is a history of cancer in my moms family but it is not breast or ovarian cancer. before they make a final decision thay are checking out a few pathology reports from skin cancer i had many years ago.so when all the info is looked at they will call me to come back to the office.........and i will make my decision on testing and what surgery to have..........

God Bless You, jacobirose, you are so very brave, as are all of you out there, you all make me very proud ...don't worry about the hair, scarves and hats/caps are very nice...enjoy your good days and hopefully your bad days will lessen...Jen

2nd round went well and my dr is very impressed with my progress...........all symptoms i had that were thought to be seasonal allergies are gone as of today..........lab tech though tearing of eyes was from chemo as many were having this problem.............port finally does not bother me anymore...........hair is almost gone.........i have the harry truman look.lollllll i have found that after chemo i chill badly because of low counts and 2 caps do wonders to keep me warm.i have also learned that you cannot count on others to help you.you must do what you have to for yourself........friends and family can support you all they want but you must want to help yourself and live with the confidence that God will guide you through your journey.............most of all.never give up..and you all know there are days we want to do just that............but we all know we can't give it up.ever.!!!!!!

released from hosp on thursday..........by saturday i was very sick again but dr thinks it is seasonal allergies........pain in right neck,congestion,sneezing,itching of nose and eyes with both eyes very irritated and red.............a week later i still am not well but getting there.chemo is today and i am hoping i will get the round done as i do feel ok except slightly sore nose yet..............at least my energy level is a lil better and appetite has ben ok..........so far !!!!.......chicken broth and hot tea with lemon sure can help!!!!!!!!!!!

update:

just released from in the hosp sunday night -thursday.................i had severe pain in my throat,esophogus ...a yeast/fungus ? infection from the chemo and i could no longer tolerate the pain...and only eating liquids with difficulty...my white count bottomed out and platelets were 75...............i felt like you know what !!!.........after great medical care with  iv meds, injections to boast the white count,magic mouthwash ,,plus other meds and adjusting my aspirin therapy i feel 100% better.......will pick my dog up at the kennel later today.........the good news is my oncologist very happy that chemo is working and that tumor in breast already is less inflammed and is less firm .......if he's happy i guess i should be too.he thinks  it is a genetic problem and i go later this month for genetic testing..........more in two weeks.....................joan