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Last Login: November 18, 2008
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Recent Posts by Carolina59
Posted in:
Recovery, Renewal, & Hope + Moving Beyond Cancer, Created: Nov 17, 2008 11:23 pm
JENNIFER ANISTONContext? Did I miss something? Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Recovery, Renewal, & Hope + Moving Beyond Cancer, Created: Nov 15, 2008 12:29 pm
How my Onc & Breast Cancer Just Saved My LifeI'm having my first colonscopy on Dec 5. I think my onc is only agreeing because I'll be 50 in Feb. I had to bring it up with him and kind of insist on it. I want to do it before the new year when my ins. deductible kicks in again.
Anyway, he prescribed MoviPrep, which is a gallon of awfulness (and very expensive--$70+ out of pocket) from what I've read. My older sister told me how easy the prep was for her a few years ago doing the Phospho Soda. So do I call my doctor and insist on the Phopho Soda? I refuse to drink a gallon of crap when there are less sickening and just as effective methods to evacuate the colon. I was reading on another website that in Canada, UK and Australia they use a prep called Pico-Salax, which is supposed to be better than anything available in the US because like Phospho soda, you don't have to drink much of it, it tastes GOOD, but more importantly, it doesn't mess with electrolytes, etc. Well, I've just found I can order Pico-Salax from a Canadian Pharmacy, so that's what I'm going to do. Here's a link to just one of the websites where I was reading about this: http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=299613 Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Recovery, Renewal, & Hope + Moving Beyond Cancer, Created: Nov 11, 2008 12:17 am
Hello friendsFumi,
I only know you from your "picture" forum, but I will hold your hand, too. I'm sorry you have shingles. I had them, too, about 6 weeks after an ooph and 2nd stage reconstructive surgery. I thought it was inflamatory BC because it was over my breast. Thank goodness it was "only" shingles. I hope your lump is not the big C, and you'll be feeling better soon. Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Recovery, Renewal, & Hope + Moving Beyond Cancer, Created: Nov 10, 2008 07:45 pm
Hair growth picturesI finished chemo 11/29/07 and herceptin 8/15/08. My hair was thick with a little wave and down past my shoulders before chemo. It has grown in thick and very curly. Unfortunately, I went for a trim and got a full haircut instead, and now it just feels like it is never going to grow out nicely--I'm just going to have this bush on my head. I hate it. And I feel bad saying I hate it because at least I HAVE hair again. And it's not gray, it's the same lovely brunette that it was before cancer. I'm 49 and not a hint of gray.
Okay, so I needed to vent. I feel quite ugly today. :-( Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Recovery, Renewal, & Hope + Moving Beyond Cancer, Created: Nov 10, 2008 07:35 pm
Hair growth picturesBump! Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
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Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Oct 26, 2008 02:44 pm
MY iMpLAnTs aRE UnEVeN......I just had surgery to fix this on Thurs. 10/23/08. (My orig. exchange was Dec. 07.) My left was higher than the right. No amount of massaging or pushing down (inc. wearing a band) made a difference. PS had to lower the pocket for the left implant. It still looks a little swollen right now, but it is definitely lower.
One of the few benefits of this whole bc nightmare is to have somewhat even breasts and to not have to wear a bra. Yes, I was uneven before, but those were not fake! Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
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Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer, Created: Sep 24, 2008 09:34 pm
HER2/nHER2/neu+,Grade2, Stage 2A, O nodes 2.5cm.My diagnosis is slightly different, but I did taxotere/carboplatin/herceptin every 3 weeks for 6 txs, then Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year--finished Aug 08. I had a bilateral mastectomy (cancer in both breasts) about 6 weeks before starting chemo, and I was node neg., so no radiation. The chemo was hard for me, but I got through it. The herceptin alone txs were a piece of cake. I'm on Arimidex now and hating it. Sorry you have to be here, but good luck with your tx plan. Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
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Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer, Created: Sep 9, 2008 10:51 am
When do you take Arimidex? - morning or night?Right before bed with 0.25mg ativan for sleep. Haven't had any problems except waking up with stiff, sore joints, but that would happen anyway, right? Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Chemotherapy - Before, During and After, Created: Sep 6, 2008 11:03 pm
taxotere,carboplatin and herceptinHi Cindy...yes, my hair was always thick, but never curly. I finished chemo 11/29/07, and I took my wig off (to go out in public) on Easter Day 2008 and never looked back. My hair was REALLY short, but I was so over that wig. My hair now is about 2 1/2 to 3 inches, but it's close to my head, so it looks short. I'm just so happy that it's not gray. I'm 49, and I did not have a gray hair on my head before chemo, and I hope the chemo has delayed the graying process for me, lol.
Things are pretty good. I had my ovaries out in February and started on Arimidex. Not liking the SEs at all. I can deal with the hot flashes, but I have swollen, stiff joints, especially my fingers. I'm taking Lexapro to stave off depression and Ativan to sleep at night (down to 0.5mg and hoping to eventually stop and sleep on my own). My dd is 3 1/2 y.o. now and seems to have weathered the bc storm very well. She's a smart, happy, athletic, funny little girl who makes it all worth it. Even on the days when she is a pill herself, lol. I am so lucky to have her. Hope all is well with you. Best, Carolina Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Sep 6, 2008 10:37 pm
Did anyone NOT grieve after bilat mast?I was still nursing my 2 y.o. dd when I was diagnosed, and I was devastated for myself and for her. They found cancer in both my breasts, and I had a bilateral mastectomy one month after diagnosis. In the biopsy report, it states that when the breasts were sectioned (sliced) by the pathologist they exuded "a milky fluid." Sometimes I read this, and it still makes me cry. For months and months, my daughter would ask if she could nurse again after my "boo boos" were fixed. I have mourned my breasts.
I'm glad the cancer is gone. I had an amazing PS, great reconstruction, great recovery, but these new breasts do not feel like a part of me. They feel like foreign objects, and I'm always aware of them. I do miss having my breasts that were just my breasts, like having my arms or my legs. Losing our breast(s) is an amputation, and we are all going to have different reactions to it. Yes, we're saving our lives, but amputation is a physical trauma, as well as an emotional trauma to many women. All our feelings should be honored. Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Chemotherapy - Before, During and After, Created: Sep 6, 2008 10:08 pm
taxotere,carboplatin and herceptinHey Cindy! I see you have hair! I haven't been on here in so long, and last time I was on you were still wondering when your hair was going to come back nice and thick. It looks good in your avatar! Mine has come in thick, soft and curly. The curly part is the kicker--my hair is just like my mom's hair used to be. I wonder if it will ever go back to just a little wave.
Welcome to all the new women here who are starting or in the middle of tx. I haven't read all the posts, but I know you have a good support team here for the TCH crowd. I hated it, but survived it, and I'm glad I did it so I can feel like I kicked those cancer cells to the curb. Best to all, Carolina Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer, Created: Sep 6, 2008 09:43 pm
herceptin only--do I still need my port?I had a PICC line and had it removed after my last chemo tx. I did the 12 remaining Herceptin txs without it, and my veins were fine. At my last Herceptin tx, my nurse told me they've just approved Herceptin to be given in 1/2 hour instead of 90 minutes. Oh well, missed out on that, but so happy be done with it--finished on 8/15/08. Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer, Created: Sep 6, 2008 06:40 pm
Who watched Stand Up to Cancer?....Does this mean I could've saved my breasts? No bilateral mastectomy, no chemo. I'm amazed. Does anyone know where she was treated?
Thanks for the link, by the way, I will watch it later tonight I hope. Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer, Created: Sep 6, 2008 10:00 am
Who watched Stand Up to Cancer?....Thanks, everyone. Yes, my dh said they definitely did NOT mention Herceptin--he would've remembered it since I was on it for one year. I guess I'm glad I got the chemo, too, (TCH) so I feel I've attacked the cancer with everything possible. But I'm very interested in the new txs that target the Her2+.
Thanks for the info that they are going to rebroadcast. I'll try to watch it. Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, herceptin, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
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Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer, Created: Sep 5, 2008 09:22 pm
Who watched Stand Up to Cancer?....I was putting my daughter to bed and missed this, but my dh said there was a Her2+, Stage IV bc survivor who was treated only with Herceptin? Tykerb?--he doesn't remember what it was. Did anyone see this? I want to know more. Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
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Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer, Created: Aug 12, 2008 03:29 pm
Bone Scans and Pet/CT scansFor those of you who are getting PET/CT followups yearly, is your insurance covering it? My onc says they won't cover it because it's not the standard of care after chemo/herceptin tx. So annoying. Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Support & Community Connections + Get Togethers, Created: Aug 7, 2008 09:52 pm
calling all NYC, LI,NJ,CT GIRLSOh boy, I didn't miss it after all! I'm back from vacation and checked the get together board to see how it went, and I see that it didn't happen. August works for me, except for Labor Day weekend. Hope to see everyone.
Catherine aka Carolina Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Support & Community Connections + Get Togethers, Created: Jun 22, 2008 05:22 pm
calling all NYC, LI,NJ,CT GIRLSHi,
Dx 5/31/07: left, DCIS; right, DCIS (10cm) & IDC (multifocal >2cm); Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jun 21, 2008 09:44 am
I miss my breasts.Sophie96,
Dx 5/31/07, DCIS left, IDC right (multifocal >2cm), Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Chemotherapy - Before, During and After, Created: Jun 20, 2008 11:05 pm
deodorant is in the garbageMaxgirl, isn't it weird how we have anxiety sweat vs. just getting hot sweat? And the anxiety sweat is always stinky. I use a crystal, been using it for years and it works well--except for the anxiety sweat, lol. Dx 5/31/07, DCIS left, IDC right (multifocal >2cm), Stage I, grade 3, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+; bilateral mast. 6/26/07; chemo, no rads; ooph 2/29/08 |