Best Of
Re: All about Xeloda
@eleanora I would rethink those groups, if I were you. As the only Stage 4 lady I was able to share my chemo history and information to the others. We dwindled down to about 12 members as social media groups increased, but 5 of the early staged ladies had recurrences that made them Stage 4. As we know, that does happen a lot. And in those cases, they consulted me for information about treatments.
Also, Stage 4 ladies all have different treatments. If you look at my history, it is completely different from yours.
As far as Facebook groups, you can use an alias, and there are several groups that might help you. They don't have the closeness that we have since there are so many women in those groups, though.
There's even a group that I am in that is for ER+, PR-, Her2-, which is not a common dx.
denny123
Re: All about Xeloda
Thank you for your responses. Denny, I tried the hospital closest to me (not where I'm being treated) and they said I would be welcome in either of their groups, although they didn't have any stage IV members, let alone a stage IV group! Since I want to find my "tribe" I thanked them and declined.
I have never had social media accounts, as I don't believe in the safety of our information with those groups. The stage IV group I've been invited to join tries to meet in person once a quarter and I'm looking forward to that.
Threetree, I hear your concern about further lines of treatment and perhaps it might cheer you to review the clinical trials thread. Cure-ious frequently seems to have hopeful news.
eleanora
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@mara51506-It sounds like good news that no cancer was found in the area. Will you have to go back now or reschedule the head CT? Did you say earlier that you don't have a winter coat? That seems impossible for a Canadian. My go to coat is 11 years old-I bought it as Costco for $39 in 2015 and still wear it all winter. It still looks good-it's not a dress coat, just a basic down jacket. Probably the most economical purchase I've ever made.
Hope you can relax now and enjoy your day.
Re: I say YES. YOU say NO....Numero Tre! Enjoy!
Call your Senators and ask them to oppose DHS funding unless enforceable guardrails are in place.
ruthbru
Re: Brain Mets Sisters
I cannot play Chopin on the piano but I do watch the movie Impromptu frequently. You get the music plus a young, dreamy Hugh Grant and Judy Davis, great light, entertainment.
I will confess my somewhat guilty secret again. When the day is right, I take some Ritalin and lortab and do a moderate version of my old workout at the Y. 20 mins on treadmill (more if revved up, but not so much that "tomorrow" is horrible). And a slow, moderate, weightlifting session. Minimal weight, nice slow reps. Long stretching session to follow.
The thing is, this makes me almost too energetic for a few days. I have to watch it or will collapse in 3 days. Well, collapse is an exaggeration.... but, you get my meaning; moderate for a good pay-off. The Supportive Care specialist says this is very appropriate; using Ritalin to energize my body in order to get muscle tone. She said muscle atrophy is a nasty impact of cancer and treatment and does not bode well for survival.
My two cents.
K-Lo
Re: How are people with liver mets doing?
@ailurophile , I am sorry you have to go through this but are you getting real surgery (ablation) or SBRT or similar radiation to the spot? Liver is a very large and well-recovering organ, so recoveries in both cases should be okay. As for SBRT recovery should be easier/quicker though, as it is not an invasive procedure. Please write us how it all goes and many hugs,
Saulius
bsandra
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Well, so happy to have my wig on. Between the make up, wear everything but eye shadow or mascara, I look like a human being again.
Breakfast was 3 eggs microwaved and I cannot say they were particularly enjoyable since they had to be quick.
Re: Waiting: what helps?
@amerli - Welcome to BCO. We're sorry you have to be here for this, but glad you found us! This podcast from our main site may help with anxiety: How to Ease Stress.
Please know that we’re here for you, whatever the results may be.
The Mods
Re: Newly diagnosed IDC
Hi @amerli , we’re really sorry you got this diagnosis, but we’re glad you came back and shared it with us.
Those early days of waiting and not having all the information yet can feel overwhelming. You’re not alone in this, and connecting with others who understand can really help.
When you’re ready, this page from our main site may be useful as a starting point: Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): Symptoms, Treatments, and More. It walks through the basics and what to expect as you learn more about your specific diagnosis.
Please keep posting as questions come up or if you just need support. We’re here for you.
The Mods
Re: Newly diagnosed IDC
@amerli - I’m sorry that you have gotten to this point, where I was in August last year. It is tough waiting for all the test results to find out what is recommended for your treatment, and the decisions that you need to make. Hopefully you will feel good about your doctor’s recommendations and that they can explain to your satisfaction. Ask lots of questions! They’re supposed to be there to help you. Don’t doom scroll! There’s enough time to research once you get the details on your diagnosis. One thing I have heard consistently is that breast cancer is (unfortunately) common so I found it comforting that there is a lot of research and evidence behind what treatment I was recommended, even though nothing is ever 100% certain. Also, once I was given a treatment plan, I focused on getting through it, it’s a process and will take a lot of time. Good luck to you! You got this!