[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Ever,

You are not selfish! You are concerned. And rightly so. And we are all here because we want to share our experience, in the hopes of helping others see what we didn't see ourselves before we were far along in this journey. We were newbies, naive in ways medical.

Once dx we must learn a whole new vocabulary. Educate ourselves about things we never had any need or desire to learn about. And now it has become of vital importance for us to grasp so much, beyond the lingo, into the whys, the what ifs, the unimaginable.

It is our honor to serve to reach out to you. Others did so for us. It is now our turn to give back.

Yes, every ache and pain causes clutching worries. What does it mean? Is this something I should report to my doc? Probably yes. Cause she can't read your mind. He shouldn't have to anticipate what may or may not occur.

My friend w/pancreatic ca collapsed in the streets of Manhattan, where she lived, on a weekend. She didn't tell her docs till Monday. She didn't want to bother them. They were upset -- because that's what they do. They are there to help when things turn sour. They are open on the weekends so that when situations arise, they can help.

Collapsing, especially after such an adverse reaction to so many mnths of intense chemotherapies, is serious. You aren't bothering docs with your ailments. That is their job. And they would be the first the tell you this.

I would call and ask, I just want to know if this or that is a normal reaction, cause it is what I am experiencing. I feel doubled over with pain in my abdomen. I feel spacey and out of it. I feel confused and shaky. I feel as if my knees are going to give way any moment. And my docs would advise me accordingly.

Once I said, I know it sounds crazy but even though it's been yrs since I had Taxotere, I sometimes feel that same deep muscle pain in my arms and legs that aches so fiercely I can't find a place for myself. He answered, No, that isn't crazy. A number of my patients report the same thing.

And then the pain didn't bother me as much. It was normal. Others were experiencing the same thing. It was an indication of some good awful problem. A lingering side effects, even yrs later, than eventually did disappear btw.

Never feel guilty asking questions, Ever or anyone on this board. Please. No question is stupid. Or crazy. And you deserve answers!

And Red, I think we could all benefit for sharing our experiences... Don't you?

Andi