CMF Question
Comments
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Samiam...How's it going after this last chemo? I'm sending healing thoughts your way.
Colleen....How's Mom doing? I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's father. How very sad! Hugs!
PatMe...Feeling any better now? Be sure to tell your onc about all of your symptoms. There are many different meds they can give you to help you get through this more easily. Thinking of you and hoping things are better today.
I'm off to walk my three miles with my neighbor who is also a bc survivor. I'm so glad that I have somebody to walk with me because otherwise I'd find a million different excuses to put off the walk!
The sun is out in Illinois today and it looks like it's going to be a nice day. I hope each of you have a little sunshine in your life today.
Rita
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Rita-Hope you had a good walk. I feel almost normal today. Went back to work and got my mind on something besides BC and chemo. I am going to tell the onco about my SEs. Especially the sunburn( what's up with that?)
Pat
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hi all: just dropping by to say hi, I haven't forgotten anyone, but it's been a tough few days around here...my dad passed away last night at about midnight, so today has been crazy. He had been on a feeding tube for a year now, and had altzheimers', so it was not unexpected. His quality of life was truly unhappy. I think he was ready to move on.
Just wanted to say hi, I read some posts and caught up, Carol, Harley, good to see you guys.
I get tested for blood work about every six months, i have no idea what my onc looks for. He doesn't look for tumor markers, as i had a 1.5 cm. lump in there, and it never showed on the tumor marker. He tells me that is when it is in the lymph nodes, that it shows up there. I believe he was monitoring me for estrogen and estradiol levels, along with iron, D, etc.
PatMe, I'm glad you feel better. I had CMF every three weeks, and yes, very bad heartburn, but prilosec 3 days before and 3 days after it, really fixed me up. I used to eat a green apple, a folk remedy for heartburn, that did wonders also. Never had any bottom issues but I ate alot of fruit.
Mandy, if you are done with chemo, hearty congratulations to you!!! If not, well, you are almost done. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
My daughters' college raised 50,000.00 for cancer in the relay for life also. Gotta love these young girls, they are go getters, and I hope the cure comes in their lifetimes.
love to all and good vibes to those in txtmnts. This too, shall pass, and you will be fine again. It will seem like a long ago memory in a few months. Remember, it's a treatment, it is doing a good job for you to kill all the bad guys, and any SEs are just that.
annie
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Annie
I'm so very sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. Sending comforting thoughts to you. I hope that your happy memories of your time with him will help to comfort you.
I think my onc does some kind of metabolic profile, and they look at my liver enzymes, white blood count, that sort of thing.
Hugs,
Harley
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Annie...So sorry to hear about your Dad. It is always tough to lose a loved one, regardless of their age or the situation. My heart goes out to you. Hugs!
Rita
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Sorry about your dad, Annie. Having gone through that recently, I know it is hard.
Thanks for asking after me Rita. I had a tough time after this tx (spiked a fever, spent a few days in bed feeling flu-ish), but I'm not sure if it was the chemo, the zometa (my 1st infusion) or a combo of the two. It only lasted about 3 days, though, and I am back to my normal self.
Scarp, good luck getting through your rads. Just think, a few more weeks and it's over. That will feel so good. Btw, I've taken a break on FB from pathwords (I could never beat your score) and am now playing scrabble with a friend. Trading one addiction for another!
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Annie, just went back a read the last few days posts. Sorry to read of your Dad's passing. I really don't think its an easy time during any circumstances to lose a love one. Hugs from a distance.
Hope those in txt are hanging in there knowing that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.
I'm to see my PCP today (kinda funny as I havn't had a visit with him in years. I see a different doc for my yearly's. My insuarance has denied my request for continued massage and accupuncture. They are requesting a visit for evaluation with my PCP. Whatever !!! I just have this thought of a bunch of old men sitting around a table making these denial for coverage decisions. Maybe a day or two of menopause for them would enlighten them a bit !!!
At work, so GTG.0 -
Annie, just went back a read the last few days posts. Sorry to read of your Dad's passing. I really don't think its an easy time during any circumstances to lose a love one. Hugs from a distance.
Hope those in txt are hanging in there knowing that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.
I'm to see my PCP today (kinda funny as I havn't had a visit with him in years. I see a different doc for my yearly's. My insuarance has denied my request for continued massage and accupuncture. They are requesting a visit for evaluation with my PCP. Whatever !!! I just have this thought of a bunch of old men sitting around a table making these denial for coverage decisions. Maybe a day or two of menopause for them would enlighten them a bit !!!
At work, so GTG.0 -
Annie - I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. Losing a loved one no matter what the situation is tough. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Rita - My mom is holding her own. She looks better then she has in months, even though she has lost a lot of weight. Her spirit is still great. She is now talking about going back to Florida. Although none of us can imagine that she can live there on her own. And we do not want her to get sick there. So I am not sure what will happen. She has Drs. appts. coming up next week so I guess we will wait and see what they have to say.
Samiam - Sorry to hear that you had a rough time. But glad to hear that you are back to yourself.
Hope everyone is having a pleasant week.
Colleen
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Am back from my last chemo. So far so good. I started on November 11 so it has been a long haul. But 13 is my lucky number so maybe finishing on May 13th will bring luck.
Hugs to all.
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YEA MANDY! NO MO' CHEMO!!!! I'm so glad you're done! Will you be taking Tamoxifan or another AI now?
Colleen, so glad to hear that your Mom is doing so well. I understand your hesitancy to let her go back to Florida. Perhaps the upcoming doctor's appointment will help you all make a good decision. Hugs to both of you. You've both been through a lot!
Samiam, I'm sorry that you've had such a rough time after this last treatment. I imagine that the chemo/Zometa combination didn't help the recovery process any. Will you have to have the Zometa again with your next treatment or is it given every few months? Hang in there, you've got a couple of weeks of chemo-holiday now and we'll hope that the next treatment comes with fewer side effects.
Hugs, Annie! Still thinking of you!
Carol, tonight's the night! I'll know the final two before you do! nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah But I won't tell you and spoil it for you! LOL
Well, I'm taking a break from question writing and I need to get back to work. No golf today....too much rain!
I hope everybody is having a good day!
Rita
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Rita,
I just want to tell you that I am sorry I wasn't able to come up with any questions, for your question writing business... maybe I'll try my hand at it later, though.
Mandy,
I sent you a card... I didn't see your post, and I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking about you! Congratulations on your LAST CHEMO!!! YAY!!!
Hugs
Harley
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Yeah Mandy! So there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Congratulations! I got married on a Friday the 13th- that was 38 years ago and still married. (to the same person Lol) So I consider the 13th very lucky.
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Annie-- I am so sorry about your Dad. Losing a parent- no matter how sick they are is always hard.
. Hugs
Pat
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Annie - I am so sorry about your Dad. It is never easy to lose a parent. I hope your family is doing well - you will be in my thoughts and prayers!
Susan
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Just got on here quickly to say: CONGRATULATIONS TO MANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHE KICKED CANCER BUTT!!!!!!!!
Good for you, hon, you made it, and you will win completely, this time around.
Also, a very belated very big THANK YOU to everyone for your sweet thoughts and condolences. Truly, in this case, it was a merciful release. I am OK, the hard part was watching him go thru it.
But thank you so very much everyone.
I hope everyone is feeling OK, hanging in there, and Harley, your longer hair now looks so lovely on you! Rita, you sound good and look even better! Carol, good to see you too, lady. I hope everything is chugging along for all.
Remember girls, this is a lucky thread.....Mandy, the 13th on this thread is obviously lucky too!
love to all:
annie
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Annie,
Still, I'm very sorry for your loss...
You are so sweet, and too kind!!
Hugs
Harley
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Mandy - congratulations on being done with chemo!!!!!!!
Scarp - sounds like the radiation is going pretty well. The daily trip to the hospital is what I am dreading at that point. I cried at my last infusion - for no real reason. I think my hormones or lack of them are getting to me at times.
I have 5 more infusions left (and 5 more weeks). They usually give me zofran for nausea during the infusion, but I opted for the steroid today because my house is a MESS and my daughter is running for student council and will need help with her speech etc. due tomorrow.
Carol - I can't believe the insurance needs approval. I hate that part of our healthcare. Hope it all works out.
Patme, Samiam and all others in treatment - hope all is well!
Susan
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Oh, Susan, the tears are so normal! I was so glad to have my chemo finished and yet found myself crying as I walked out the door. Now go figure that out!!! LOL This is such an emotional roller-coaster and sometimes we can't even begin to know why the tears flow. Rest assured that you are quite normal and that may happen several times before the journey ends. Heck, it still happens to me at times now and I'm almost 2 years out from treatment. Hang in there! There is a "new normal" after all is said and done! Hugs to you! Just take the treatments and the days "one at a time" and remember that five weeks is a relatively short period of time in the long run of the journey. You will still have plenty of summer days to enjoy when it is over!
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Mandy: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I am so happy for you, no more chemo!!!! I hope this finds you feeling well and are not having any SE.
I hope everyone has a great weekend.
Colleen
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Thanks Rita - I know, it is normal but just so out of character for me....
I tried to take a weekend off from cancer (aside from drinking gallons of water and taking my cytoxan pills). I am waiting for the new normal to kick in, but am not very patient!
I have 5 more infusions....meet with my surgeon this week to schedule my re-excision and bilateral reduction. Kind of sad to be looking forward to a surgery, but I am !!!!!!!
Carol, Gina and I have finally been basking in the sun - we have had a beautiful, sunny weekend.
Hope you are all enjoying the same!
Susan
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Susan, you are getting to the end. It's really funny how much I always hated weak, weepy women and now at times I find myself in that same category! However, I don't really think we are weak...just a bit drippy at times. LOL
Gotta run, gals. I have lots to do before we take off later in the week for the Wild West! LOL
Hugs to all!
Rita
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Hi All - Just want to know if anyone ever had this happen. I thought I slept wrong and woke up last Friday with a pain in my neck on the right side that radiates down into my upper back. I have taken Tylenol and a pain med. it seems to help for a little bit, but then it comes back. Just thought I would ask, before I called the Dr. Then again which Dr. do I call? Onc. or Surgeon? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Hope everyone had a nice weekend.
Colleen
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Colleen,
I would go right to the Onc. He relies on you to let him know what's going on with your body. He will know if he thinks tests are in order. Prayers going out for you. Take care.
L:)
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Colleen, I've had similar pains. My onc has me follow the 14 day rule. If it's still there in 14 days or gets worse before the 14 days are up......call him at once. Most of the time my aches go away before the 14 day period, but if you are anxious about it, just call and talk to somebody in his office. They will know if it is something that needs further attention. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
Rita
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Thanks for all the good advice. I am feeling much better today. I feel that it is the way I have been sleeping since my exchange surgery. I just don't seem to get comfortable at night. If it comes back and gets any worse, I will call the Dr.
Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying this nice weather. I am heading to NJ tomorrow to have a visit with my mom. She seems to be doing pretty well. I am taking her to the cardiologist tomorrow so I hope she gets a good report. Did anyone else here about the 10 yr. old girl diagnosed with BC. It is unbelievable that a child should have to go through this. My heart goes out to her and her family.
Well enjoy the rest of the week,
Colleen
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Hi gals, sorry to be so MIA, it's been a little bit nuts lately.
checking in to see how you are all doing....Colleen, glad to hear it's better today...what I have found with BC (2x for me now) is that sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, so to speak. I also have taken Rita's 2 week rule to heart. It is the most helpful thing. After BC, the challenge is to realize that our bodies are not going to have cancer from everything that goes amiss....it's a bigger challenge than it sounds, getting back to normal! Takes about 2 years for me.
And susan, a little "leakage" is a good thing. Think of it as a nice release, and anyway, after showers, flowers bloom
....I am one that could never ever give in to emotions, had to stay tough, but you know what? A good cry is called that, because it gets all those stress chemicals out of us that if we hold them in, can make us sick....it's a good thing designed to help you. I also dreaded the daily trip during rads: I made it into a nicer ritual by having a quick daily phone chat with my sister afterwards and getting a dunkin donuts coffee. Small, but nice and something else to think about. I also just made it like brushing the teeth, I decided it was so quick that if I stuck it into a routine, I'd think less about it. I did not have chemo the first time, so I would think that if one did chemo first, then had to contemplate rads, it's very tough. For me, at least, rads was easier. It certainly took less time. Maybe you could think of it as closer to the light at the end of the tunnel? you are getting thru it, don't think ahead, take it one treatment at a time, and soon you will be on here, cheering others on. I was, and never thought I'd get thru, but thanks to all these wonderful ladies, I did and also made the best friends I've ever met in my life. There is always a silver lining, even tho bc makes it pretty hard to find it, it is there.
Glad everyone is hanging in there....I'm all recovered nicely from hysterectomy/ooph and it's as tho nothing happened....except no more scarey estrogen bombs
....My face did not fall down in folds like silly putty, due to estrogen lack (I actually was worried on that point) I did not gain weight, but lost it. I have tons of energy. I am doing 1/2 hr. of strength stuff for bones and 1/2 hr. of cardio daily: reward: 16 lbs. down so far, 25 to go....(sigh). Anyway, it's amazing what women can do when we have to!!I read about the child w bc, unbelievable. Makes you wonder what on earth she could have been exposed to or if it was hormonal type. Mind boggling, the poor baby.
Colleen, hope your mom does well at the cardiologist!!
Take care all xoxo
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Annie
Glad to see you posting, and glad that you are recovering well!!Hugs
Harley
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Annie......so glad to see a post from you and so glad that things are going well! I think of you often!
Our breast cancer yoga instructor made an interesting comment last week. She was talking about gals who came to her after the birth of a child and about how they wanted immediate results in getting off those extra pounds. She says she tells them that it took 9 months for their bodies to get into their current conditions and lots of natural trauma to the body. They should expect it to take at least that same amount of time to get the body back to its normal condition. The same is true for those who have undergone bc treatments. When the treatments our over, it will take at least the amount of time that it took for the treatments for our bodies to heal and recover. Sometimes I think we expect to be "just like before" physically as soon as the treatments are done, but our bodies have gone through a very unnatural trauma and it takes time for them to recoup. I know that patience is not one of my strongest virtues but I'm beginning to see some changes for the better, even while I'm on the Arimidex, so hang in there gals!
Gotta run. I have lots of things to do today!
Rita
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Rita ... I think your Yoga instructor has hit it on the head! For me personally time is definitely making a difference. Yes I've added some wellness of accupuncture and massage, but I believe what has helped the most is just time for my body to heal and get used to menopause.
So are your bags packed ???0
