Best Of
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@micmel - Thanks so much for checking in - it's always so nice to hear from you. I absolutely share your thankfulness for everyone here, and the fact that we have each other for love and support. Such a somber day. Sending hugs and best wishes to you. Good thoughts for all of your family too.
Re: All about Xeloda
@ailurophile I started Xeloda July 20 so a newbie like you. Due to my testing partially positive for the absence of the DPD enzyme required to break down the drug I started at a dose of 1600 per day. Other than some heartburn issues that were resolved with Famotidine I haven't thankfully so far had any other side effects. My oncologist has been slowly edging my dose upwards and I will start 1000mg twice daily on Monday. I do 7 days on/7 days off. So I don't think your 2500mg is considered low dose per se but certainly there is room to increase the dose upwards even more. The goal with MBC is to take the lowest dose that is effective and limits side effects. We are not curable so the goal is to keep us on each treatment for as long as possible if it's working of course. I hope for longevity for both of us.
girlsptz
Re: All about Xeloda
@aj Sorry to hear you have to move on to IV chemo…stinky for sure! May your side effects be minimal and you have great success on Doxil. Sending strength and hugs to you❤️
@ailurophile Glad to hear things are going pretty well..may you keep on going strong.
@denny123 Positives vibes your way for a good scan on Monday. So glad the mouth sores have cleared, they are absolutley annoying!🤞
cookie54
Re: 💗 September 2026 Surgery Support Thread — You’re Not Alone!💗
Thanks for your words. My surgery is Thursday. Supposed to be routine is what they say but it’s anything but routine to me. There’s nothing routine about being put to sleep. I’ve done well so far. Diagnosed back in July. It’s been no big deal until these last few days. Im having a lumpectomy with follow up radiation. It just became real to me and I am beyond scared.
Exceptional Responders
I am so blessed to learn today I fall into a category literally called exceptional responders. Any others out there? How do you cope? Got any tricks for not being both elated and frustrated at the same time? I was 37 when I was diagnosed and I promise, every bit thankful for every healthy day since as I am here 16 years later. My one lesion was a single spot in a rib. Everyone around me thinks I am cured. Well other then my oncologist. I am becoming weary, exhausted of being exhausted. All the years of treatments and surgeries and scans and pills are getting me, and I feel like a jerk, cause yeah, I am lucky just to be here.
Re: What has surprised you most about your relationships since your diagnosis?
Everyone I knew when they were told, whether they were old friends from high schol, my family and even my neighbors where we lived at the time rallied around me. Even my pets knew when I had bad days or good ones. Without the support from those around me, including my husband, I don't think I would have done well in my fight. They reminded me I wasn't alone but that I had a village supporting me. To this day when I have news whether its good or bad, they show up.
m0mmyof3
Re: What Has Helped You Feel More Like Yourself Again?
One thing I tell myself is that this is just a bump in the road and it isn't going to define who I am
m0mmyof3
Re: What part of survivorship surprised you most?
Its 13 years since the diagnosis and I keep telling myself keep pushing as I have a lot to live for. In my journey when I come across someone who is where I was I tell them to never give up and don't let cancer define who they are.
m0mmyof3
Re: What do you wish people better understood about living with breast cancer?
I tell them I know its a battle and not a sprint and to keep good thoughts for me as it helps. Some don't really understand how I can be so positive about living with the reality of this having become my life but I tell them that I took my late maternal grandmother's words to heart that God only gives me what he thinks I can handle. Plus I tell them it does no good for people to be so down about my health, I'm in it for the long haul and thriving.
m0mmyof3
Re: Do You Feel Pressure to Seem Okay for the People Around You?
I don't feel that people don't want me to downplay how I feel for them. They know how hard cancer is and how I have fought. They've been behind me every step of the way. I was there for them in their time of need and they were there for me. I've had moments where I have just wanted to give up and they give me the gentle reminder that its okay to not be okay all the time.
m0mmyof3