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CMF Question

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Comments

  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 107
    edited June 2009

    Just wishing everyone a great weekend.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate.  I see the onc on Tuesday, a little nervous but I am sure all will be alright.  Enjoy!!

    Colleen 

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited June 2009

    Colleen.....I'll be thinking about you on Tuesday!  I know that "little nervous" feeling.  I'll be going for my mammo, etc the end of the month and I'm sure I'll have that feeling, too.  Remember, this is a lucky thread!  Hugs to you!  Hang in there!

  • aprilgirl1
    aprilgirl1 Member Posts: 806
    edited June 2009

    Colleen - Sending good thoughts for an easy visit tomorrow!  Let us know how it went.

    Rita - I am happy to hear that this is a lucky thread!  So far, so good!

    Susan

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited June 2009

    How did it go today, Colleen?

    I'm hoping the inactivity on this thread the past few weeks means that everyone is doing well. 

    Are you home yet, Lisa?

    Just bumping up our thread!

    Rita

  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 107
    edited June 2009

    Rita:  Everything seemed to go well.  She did routine blood work, which I will get the results by weeks end.  She also ordered a bone density and the genetic testing.  She said someone from the hospital will contact me in the next several days.  So more tests to look forward to.  The genetic one scares me, but I want to do it for my kids so they will know.

    Hope everyone is well,

    Colleen

  • furryquilt
    furryquilt Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2009

    OK ladies...I have a question!!   I am only losing a bit of hair on my head, but I hardly ever have to shve my legs anymore...and before CMF I needed to do it everyday in the summer. I am not complaining by any means...just curious if anyone knows why...and is the hair on my head not growing either??

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited June 2009

    Hi All

    Just stopping in to say hi.  I was on the west coast visiting my kids and just got back.  The weather was beautiful while I was there and I had a perfect time.  

    Take care.

    Hugs

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited June 2009

    Furryquilt:

    Don't have an explanation for the hair on your legs, but sounds ok to me.  After my 4th tx, I lost the most hair that I lost from any tx. I was sure that I would end up with a bald spot.  But it never happened.....the hair loss tapered down with the later treatments.   I was very careful, did not comb or brush it harshly, used nioxin shampoo.    But the hair was fine.  I was the only one who thought it was thin.

    Hope that is of some help to you. 

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited June 2009

    Furryquilt......I still have to seldom shave my legs and it's been over a year and a half since treatments.  I don't understand it but I rather like it!  LOL  Every once in a while it sneaks up on me and I think, "Gosh. I'd better shave my legs!" 

    Mandy, I'm so glad that you got to visit your kids.  They live too far away, too so I'm glad the weather was good for you and I hope you had a wonderful visit.

    Colleen, I admire you for doing the gene testing.  I didn't do that.  I've read alot about it but actually a very small percentage of those who are tested actually test positive now.  Still, it would be good to know for sure, especially if you have girls.

    Well, I've had a busy day.  I planted flowers this morning and golfed 18 holes this afternoon.  I think my reclner is beckoning me!  Hugs to all of you!

    Rita

  • PatMe
    PatMe Member Posts: 30
    edited June 2009

    Hi everybody

    I haven't posted in a while -but I have been reading everyone's posts. I finished chemo #3 this morning. 3 down 3 to go. Yeah half way there!!!!!!  Last time I had white blood count issues -but they went ahead and did the chemo anyway. This time I was running a low grade fever. I guess my body just wants to add a little drama to the mix.  LOL

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited June 2009

    Pat,

    Glad to see you again!  You're on the downhill slide now!  Let's hope that your body is done with the drama and that you'll do just fine after this chemo!  Hugs to you!  Hang in there.  How's your hair doing?  Are you getting any thinning?

    Keep in touch!

    Rita

  • socallisa
    socallisa Member Posts: 10,184
    edited June 2009

    furry quilt...I see you are in San Diego..we have a really nice lunch bunch from BCO that gets

    together once a month.. check us out under"get togethers" san diego tread..we are meeting again on the 28th..we would love to have you join in..

    Hugs, SoCal

  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 410
    edited June 2009

    Okay ... first to admit I've been lurking !!!  I want to chalk it up to feeling good, working, coming home (doing my usual puttering in the yard that kinda slid last year), training walks for the 3-day,  yada, yada ... okay been probably spending too much time on Facebook as well and read some updates from a few of you there.

    Milestone today .... Susan "hopefully" finished up #24 of #24 infusions today .... talk about a lady whom was the ultimate trooper.   Sorry Susan, but what's up, you never bitch about anything ?!?!?  I'd say the CMF post definitely has it's new poster child !!!!!    For all of you that have not actually met Susan, she will make a great mentor to anyone whom may hear those dreaded words "you have bc".   Susan ... you may or may not know this, but your positive spirit is quite infectious.   BIG HUGS AT CHA !!!!!!

    Now on to those important things like "hairy legs" ... Furryquilt (hmmmm, trying to figure out that on-line name) ... I'm with Rita ... my leg hairs are definitely different than they we're pre-chemo, I've been finished with chemo one year ago on June 15th (shoot, had to just look that one up on my calendar) and I'm most happy to report that the stubble look just doesn't happen.  Heck, I'll take any beni I can out of this experience !!!!  I lost probably about 1/3 to 1/2 the hair on my head, which was most tolerable. 

    Hope your counts cooperate with you ... looking back upon my experience, one of my worst day's was the one when they said "sorry, no chemo today (due to low counts)",  was I nuts ????  Try to remain calm with whatever they throw at you (I know easy for me to say now) !

    Lastly, feeling a bit bittersweet with my lack of popping in to actual post ... I sure hope that anyone new or "old" would feel confident to PM me at anytime.   I definitely check the post atleast every other day. 

    This particular thread has been a total "treat" for me and I plan popping in and continuing my friendships for many years to come. 

    Hugs around ..... Carol

  • aprilgirl1
    aprilgirl1 Member Posts: 806
    edited June 2009

    Thank you Carol.  I have to admit that I was sick last night, and don't feel great this morning.  However, sick three out of 24 isn't too bad and I will chalk it up to not taking the compazine soon enough after returning home.  SO HAPPY TO BE DONE with this portion of the crazy, scary cancer ride. 

    I brought donuts to the infusion nurses with a note of thanks - hope I NEVER see you again!!!!!  Not kidding - unless it is at some festival outside of the cancer center.

    Furryquilt - I will agree with the others - my hair on my legs and my eyebrows are much less, and I think my hair has been growing a lot slower.  I will also agree with Carol - this is one side effec I will accept - haven't had to have my brows waxed for over 6 months!

    Thanks for all of your support - I am done with CMF but not with this thread and still look forward to a re-excision and radiation.  

    Susan

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited June 2009

    Yea Susan!  NO MO' CHEMO!   I'm so glad you are finished with the CMF!  We  will look forward to you sticking around and encouraging others on their journeys.  You have indeed been a real trooper through all of this.  Hugs to you as you work on finding your new normal after treatments.  Are you going to be taking Femara, Tamoxifin, or Arimidex?

    Rita

  • aprilgirl1
    aprilgirl1 Member Posts: 806
    edited June 2009

    Rita - I will start on tamox.  I have a bilateral reduction on 7/20 (with re-excision for clear margin) and then radiation I assume 4 weeks after that.  After radiation I will start tamox. - that's what my onc. told me last month.  I see her again this week, so I will find out more soon.  I think her master plan is to start me on tamox. until they can make sure I am in menopause not chemopause (I just turned 45) and then switch to an A/I.

    Susan

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited June 2009

     Hey Carol

    I am also sorry for not posting more. 

    Good to hear from you...

    Rita, Annie, Mandy, and all...

    Hope to try to pop in every now and then.

    June 12th was the day from H*LL...   I had an onc. appt.  6 month check up.  Nothing new, but I always get nervous before these appts.   I had a number of minor incidents before finally arriving at my onc's office...  one was I accidentally knocked my neighbor's mailbox off the post...  what a horrible day!  When I finally got there, they didn't have me in the computer with an appt... 

    I was told to go to scheduling, and I did... walked right past, and down the hall, to the exam rooms.  I talked to the woman at the desk there...  she said "the notes say that you are going to call to make an appt."  I said "I never do that, cause I might forget..."  Meanwhile, my onc came out to the desk and heard the exchange.  When I saw him, I turned and said "Would you PLEASE see me today?  I've had a really crummy day!"  So he told me to go sit down, and I heard him tell the girl to go pull my file.  So at least I got to see him. 

    I asked again about whether or not I would need a hysterectomy, and he said Not really... unless I have that BRCA gene.  So, he ordered the test.   Then I went to the tx room...  and all the feelings THAT brought up...   only cause they couldn't get a vein, and they had a chemo nurse do the bloodwork.  She was an idiot...  she took THREE tubes of blood, and then put a bandage on my arm.  She said casually, "what is a BRCA test?  Is it bloodwork?"  I was doing ok, but when she said this, I lost it.  I said "PLEASE don't tell me that you are going to have to go back in and take MORE blood??"   Cause I am an idiot, and even I know that the BRCA test is a ....  BLOOD TEST!!!  

    Anyway, all's well that ends well...

    Will I ever get over the fear??

     

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited June 2009


    Susan, they had to go in a second time for me, too because of unclear margins!  I was really upset when they told me, but so glad that it's now been done.  The rads should be easy compared to the chemo, which you did so well with anyway.  For rads, it takes longer to get into the gown than it does for the actual treatment.  I arranged my rads early in the morning because I'm always up anyway and then I was out of there with the whole day ahead.  It worked really well because they were always on time, too, so it was a quick in and out.  It's just a pain to have to show up each day. 

    Harley, OMG....what a horrid day!  The fear is bad enough without all these other complications.  I understand the fear.  My mammo and visit to the surgeon is the 30th ....next Tuesday....and I'm already getting nervous.  It's just that "what if" nagging thought that hangs around in the back of our mind.  I don't know if it will EVER go away.  Hugs to you!  I hope that today is MUCH better for you.  I'm enjoying your facebook comments.  I need to learn how to do these games where everyone is asking for things that they need.  I'm a complete technology illiterate I think!  Anyway, I'm so glad that you posted!  We miss you when you're gone too long!

    Rita

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited June 2009

    Thanks Rita!  Aww... you are so sweet!

    My onc. told me "One day, you'll just accept that YOU'RE GONNA DIE!"   He is a very blunt man, and I know I'm gonna die... one day, but I was hoping he'd say "there's a very good chance that the bc WON'T recur..."  I REALLY didn't need to hear THAT!  :D

    I'll be thinking of you on the 30th...  I know you'll be fine!!  But I understand the fear. 

    You are NOT an idiot!    I wish I hadn't gotten so addicted to Mafia Wars!  LOL 

    Well, I gotta get going...  I have to stop by work, and pick up my little paycheck...   I started working at a little produce market, as a cashier.  It's not much, but it helps me so I can go to the coffee shop once in awhile.

    Take care, everyone...    I think of you often, and hope you're all doing well.

    Hugs

    Harley

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited June 2009

    Harley, what a terrible thing for your onc to say to you.  I think "blunt" is an understatement.  Isn't this what's called "crappy bedside manners"????  Hugs to you! 

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited June 2009

    Rita,

    Yes, he has very "crappy bedside manners", for sure!   And to think, when I first saw him, he sat with me and held my hand...  he was really kind of nice. 

    I guess he was just trying to tell me that EVERYONE is going to die, someday...  but I already know that I'm going to die one day...  After spending a couple years of my life fighting bc, I just don't want it to be bc....  I don't want 'it' to win.

    I have the feeling that working in the cancer field for so many years has made him 'kras and unfeeling' toward his patients.

    Thanks for validating my feelings...

    HUGS

    Harley 

  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 107
    edited June 2009

    Hello All:  Mandy I am glad to hear from you.  And that onc should think before he speaks.  Maybe someone should tape record him and then play it back for him, so he can hear what he sounds like. 

    Had a couple of crazy days.  Me 13 yr. old daughter has been acting out.  She has been causing chaos around the house for the last couple of days.  The last thing she did was to let her friend pierce the top of her ear.  We told her she was not allowed to get it done and she did it anyway.  My husband is so mad!!!!!!!!  He is from the old school about piercing body parts.  I  am just mad that she did it after we told her she could not.  I remember being 13, but boy she is definitely pushing the limits.  Now she is grounded and not allowed to use computer etc.  But he is working all day, who gets stuck listening to her all day ME!!!!  Sorry for going on, but she is my oldest, so this is all new to me.

    Otherwise things are going pretty well.  Having some difficulties with my Mom.  She wants to go back to Florida really bad, but her Dr. told her she really should not.  She also does not want to listen.  I guess we revert back to children after a certain age!!!!

    Susan:  YEA NO MORE CHEMO!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

    Hope you all have a great week.

    Colleen

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited June 2009

    Mandy

    I'm so glad that you had a nice visit with your kids... 

    Susan,

    YEAH!  NO MORE CHEMO!!!  :D

    Colleen,

    Kids can act out like that...  It has to be difficult for her, having to process all this... her Mom having bc...   sometimes, since they can't control so many aspects of their life, kids may act up.

    HUGS
    Harley

  • samiam40
    samiam40 Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2009

    Susan (aprilgirl)--doesn't it feel great to be done!  Or, at least it will when you are over all of the side effects from your last treatment.  I am also done--had my 6th & final infusion last Monday.  Yippee.  I didn't feel much like celebrating last week, but now that it is finally all out of my system, I feel great!  So glad to be "moving on."  Just Zometa, Tamoxifen and two more reconstruction surgeries in my future.  Hmm, so much for being done with treatment.

    Thanks to RitaJean and everyone on this thread for your support during this time.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited June 2009

    samiam.........so good to hear from you and so glad that you are now finished!  Ya HOO!  NO MO' CHEMO!   You did it.  I'm sure you will do just fine on the Tamoxifen.  Please keep in touch!

    Rita

  • aprilgirl1
    aprilgirl1 Member Posts: 806
    edited June 2009

    Samiam - indeed - yahoo, you're done with chemo!!!!!!  I know, not done with the whole treatment, but I feel like the hardest part is behind us!

    Mandy - sorry about the piercing.  I remember way back getting my ears pierced for the 2nd time and just waiting for my mom to notice.  I think I was 15.  Not making excuses here - I am surprised my mom didn't make me take out the earrings and let the holes close up.  Of course, haven't worn earrings in them since the late 80's!   I swear if I were 15 today goodness knows what would be pierced!  ; )

    Harley - what a HORRIBLE thing for a doctor to say!  I have had others say things like " we are all terminal in a sense that we don't know the future" but for goodness sakes not an ONCOLOGIST!

    Saw my onc. today.  She had me take a blood test to see if I will metabolize tamox. Otherwise, I get a couple of months off from her  - will see her after I finish radiation.

    Have a great week!

    Susan

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited June 2009

    Susan,

    Yes, I know...   It really unnerved me, to hear my onc. saying those words...

    I know it felt really good when I could finally go 3 months without seeing my onc.  Now I'm on the SIX month plan, and I am hoping that when I see him in Dec., he'll say....  'see ya next year'. 

    Hugs

    Harley

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited June 2009

    HI All

    Just stopping in to say hello.

    Susan, it's not me with the young teen who had a piercing without parental permission. But I always was pretty permissive about those things...when my now 24 year old was 16 and dyed her hair purple, I thought it looked good! 

    I am trying to figure out when I should demand a mammography. My onc certainly is doing nothing nowadays. I see my internist on Monday and figured I ask her what she thinks....it probably is time for one!

     

    Take care all. Congrats to all who are finished with CMF!!!! It is a great feeling isn't it!!!!

    xoxoxxo

    Mandy

  • socallisa
    socallisa Member Posts: 10,184
    edited June 2009

    Hi everyone..sure glad I am not a parent of teens these days..

    and my grandkids are little...

  • aprilgirl1
    aprilgirl1 Member Posts: 806
    edited June 2009

    Oops  - it was Colleen.  Sorry!

    Harley I am looking forward to the three month visit to my oncologist vs. the weekly infusion and monthly visit!

    My kids are 12 and 10 so getting there, but at this point my biggest issue is eye rolling.  More to come I know.

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