Best Of
Re: So...whats for dinner?
Maggie: nice to have son's who update computers for us. My DS came to town & updated mine to Window's 11 in April
Wally: OMG - I about fainted when I saw that price on Amazon. I think I've been paying $0.79 per can. That said, they aren't always in stock & I haven't bought any in a couple of months. Now on my list to buy next week.
Carole: Yup - I've been wondering when you'll head back home. Or maybe you're waiting until Hurricane Season is over.
We've had a couple of "cold" nights (LOL) - actually down to 76 last night. I had to get out a sweater. Still mid 90s most days, but low humidity last week made that tolerable.
I made it to the County library sale yesterday - an urgent trip since I missed the monthly City library warehouse sale the Saturday before and only had 5 or 6 books I hadn't read. The County library sells all adult books for $2.00 - hardback, paper, even signed first editions. I had already started on a project to re-read books that are on my shelves and determine what to give away. I have complete works by a number of authors. I've read a couple by three different authors so far last week and doubt that I'll be able to part with any of them. But it's something I must do so my son isn't left with over 1000 books to deal with. (no joke - and that's considering I take several bags to the used book store or donate to the library at least once a month).
Can't remember if I shared my new discovery - Boston Cream Mini Donuts. Trying to ration myself to one a day is difficult. I got busy last night & forgot about dinner, so I just heated a little can of Beenie Weenies. Tonight will be a large salad with the above mentioned beets, eggs, Campari tomatoes, English cucumber, mushrooms, radishes, black olives, etc. As you can tell, I did make it to the grocery store Friday.
minustwo
Re: How are people with liver mets doing?
I was on antibiotics twice recently (for diverticulitis) and both times was told to stop Kisqali, not because of drug interaction, but because Kisqali is an immune supressant and would hinder the healing effect of the antibiotic.
eleanora
Re: Stage III Cancer Survivors........20+ years and out
@yatcomw wow your words are so uplifting!! Thank you so much for your positivity!
snm
Re: Lymph node enlarged
@ava55 I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this. I wonder a lot of my cancer returns will it be caught at an early stage.
snm
Re: Stage 3A
Hi Piperdo71
Sorry to hear you have joined the least popular club in town. The early days are very tough indeed. It does get better but it takes a while.
Are you able to share a bit more about your pathology (IDC/ILC, tumour grade, number of nodes)?
Try and take one day at a time or else it becomes too overwhelming.
I tried to walk outdoors most days during chemo - it really helped calm me and there is some evidence exercise may increase the effect of the chemotherapy.
There is a thread entitled 'large tumours' a few pages in from this one on the stage 3 board. I must have read it a hundred times! Lots of positive stories there. Also look up the Success Stories thread started by Carmelle.
I know someone who had 30+ positive nodes, massive tumour, triple positive 13+ years ago. She is fine. Totally fine.
Also a lady who diagnosed in the 1980s, no idea about her pathology but she was told it was 'very bad'. In her 80s now I think, no further issues.
And finally a friend of my mum's diagnosed mid 90s. Multiple node involvement. We don't remember her having chemo. In her 70s, busy with her dogs and grandchildren, just living life.
At the start I felt like I could never escape from the horror of my pathology. I don't feel like that any more. I have accepted it and although I do still think about it, I no longer have 'cancer radio' playing in my head. I live my life and I hope for the best.
Good luck with the rest of your treatment. Keep reaching out, we are here for you.
Re: “Going flat: rethinking life after mastectomy" - great article on flat closure and quality of life
I had bilateral mastectomy with AFC in 2022. I know I made the right decision and my surgeon and oncologist also think so. I don't hate it but I don't love it, either. Physically I am very comfortable and am happy to not have to deal with reconstruction issues, but I do miss "the girls" and I miss some of the clothes I can no longer wear. I don't miss wearing a bra! The interesting and surprising thing is that most people don't realize that I am flat chested. People aren't paying as close of attention to our looks as we think they are.
Re: How are people with liver mets doing?
i was on antibiotics twice last year, and tbh I didn't even think about calling my MO (maybe should have?). The prescribing doctor knew about my cancer meds, and I did my own online check for... dang it, I just forgot the word - contraindications?… and there were none. I only stopped both meds for a week (per my MO) after my recent ankle surgery. I suppose it would make a difference which meds we're talking about.
seeq
Re: Starting Chemo July 2025? Gather here for support!
@motherfun I'm genuinely glad the H2 blockers are working for you. I had bone pain with taxol too, and they suggested them for that too - if it works for you now hopefully it continues to in the future. I used Tylenol most of the time and that took the edge off.
I'm about four weeks PFC - post f'ing chemo - something I recall people saying the first time I was in treatment. Yesterday I met with my M.O. I was so pleased to see my labs -- my WBCs and Hgb have come back quite a bit. The body is pretty amazing. My energy level is returning too, probably in part because I'm not weighed down with anemia fatigue.
Started rads this week. Before I did, they ordered a baseline mammogram... that came back clean 🙏
kks_11
Re: mastectomy and possible reconstruction
I ended up with lump and then re-excision and did implant but was younger than you are. They can do reduction and lift on the other side if you want to make it match but at that point was tired of surgery and said no. Now have one floppy one that is me and one smaller implant at this point and personally at this point do not care. I knew someone your age who said when she was diagnosed to take them both and went flat. She did not care and just wore loose clothing. She did not want more surgery either and wanted be done with it all.
You have to do what is best for you and what makes you feel good. For me I did not care when I go out I do still wear more lose clothing any way since more self aware as well.
My husband I have been married many years at this point and been through a lot of health issues since he is also a transplant patient at this point and diabetic as well. Then my cancer as well. He does not care how I look either and says being here is what is what is important and bet yours feels the same way. Best wishes to you.
Re: Ribociclib/Kisqali with Letrozole - Any one on this combo?
@newfmamainoregon I am so, so sorry to hear this, and I so hope they find something that works for you. You have been going through so much and this disease is like a serial killer, always hiding in the shadows. We are the same age, and it seems as if all my friends are dealing with some terrible illness. Sometimes i know it is hard to persevere and i hope you find some joy now and then despite this terrible struggle.
