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Comments

  • Cathy07
    Cathy07 Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2007

    Well there is an end to this chemo tunnel. Tomorrow is my last day to take my pill. I will be officially done with chemo on Wednesday. YAHOO!!!!! Then a break before radiation. Thanks to all of you, I know that I do more reading than writing,but you all have really helped me through the past 6 months of chemo. THANK YOU ALL!!!

    Ginny, Love your hair cut, you look great. I can hardly wait to dye and get mine cut. It started growing back in prior to last treatment and have pieces about 1/4 inch that just stick to my head, they aren't long enough not to.

    Rita, how was Vegas? Did you see any shows? More importantly did you win any money?

  • 3ofus
    3ofus Member Posts: 201
    edited September 2007

    Harley,  yes this photo was taken after chemo, actually it was on my trip, in Santorini, Greece. I finished chemo the end of May and the hair that I lost is now about 1 1/2 " now.  So after one more cut I should almost be caught up.

    I don't know when I will have my second mastectomy or reconstruction, because I haven't got my meeting with the PS yet.  She might not be taking any new patients, so I'm just praying she will fit me in.

    So sorry that you went through menaupause so young---that must have been rough!  Hope you are doing well, you're almost finished chemo!

    Hi Cathy, nice to hear from you.  Tomorrow is your last pill--wow!SmileWonderful that you got through with the pills.  Wednesday will be here before you know it.   I dyed my hair a few weeks after my last chemo without any problems and it was not much long than yours.

    Rita, hope you had fun in Vegas. How was your trip?

    Take good care everyone,

    Ginny

  • candie1971
    candie1971 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited September 2007

    Congrats, Cathy on tomorrow ---taking your last pill!!!!

    Hugs and prayers,

    Candie

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited September 2007

    Hi gals!  Wow!  It's great to see so many posts.  I haven't been on since my Vegas trip.  I had my grandsons for four days and between the two of them, I haven't had time to do anything except laundry and dishes..........and of course....play, play, play!  How I admire you young gals who are raising little ones while going through treatments and radiation!

    To top everything off, I've had a big scare that is not over yet.  I have discovered a long oval lump about a finger's width above my lumpectomy scar.  It is hard and frightening and I waited until my little guys were gone this morning to call the surgeon.  Naturally she was in surgery but the nurse told her about my situation when she called in.  She wants me to see the radiation oncologist first to rule out radiation damage as she says it is possible, but unusual for it to return so quickly after surgery and radiation.  Needless to say, I have been petrified.

    So..I called the radiation oncologist's office and was told that the soonest he could see me was mid November.  I was so upset that the office gal called me back three hours later and made me an appointment for this Wednesday morning at 8 p.m.  Hopefully I can get some answers then and I hope they are the kind I want to hear.  I really don't think I can go through this again so soon if the beast has reappeared.

    I haven't told my family as I didn't want to alarm them if it was a false alarm so it feels good to vent here with others whom I sure can relate to the fear.  I will keep you informed as soon as I know something.  Please keep your fingers crossed! 

    As for Vegas, we had a good time.  I didn't win that big jackpot that we all dream about but played the slots alot and didn't spend nearly as much money as I thought I might.  We didn't see any shows.  The first night we were there we travelled up and down the strip, visiting several different casinos and taking advantage of the free street entertainment.  The second night we headed for the downtown area where we ate and saw the light show on Freemont St.  We then hopped casinos down there.  We didn't have another night as we flew out late the next afternoon.

    Ginny...I like your new hair style and color.  I need to get a new avatar on but I'm not good at getting it sized down so I'll have to wait a few more weeks to post a new one.   Such a lovely scenic background in the picture, too!

    I'll catch you all later.  Grandma's tired!!!!

    Rita

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited September 2007

    Rita,

    Oh, I'm thinking about you, and will be praying for you, that the tests prove this is not a recurrence... 

    Please post after your appt., to let us know how you're doing!

    Hugs,

    HarleyLaughing

  • 3ofus
    3ofus Member Posts: 201
    edited September 2007

    Rita,

    I will keep you in my prayers.  I don't know if this will help, but 3 weeks after my surgery I found a dime sized lump, a finger width away from my scar.  Surgeon checked it , had an mri... and it was nothing.  I think it is some bone, breast bone...?

    Let us know how it goes.

    (((hugs))) Ginny

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited September 2007

    Harley and Ginny....thanks for the uplifting words.  I guess I'll have a better idea about this tomorrow.  I am trying to stay positive but I'm still pretty scared.  This disease is so frustrating.  Just when you think you're headed in the right direction, something else seems to poke its ugly head at us.  Thanks so much for your "good vibes," encouraging words, and comfort. 

    Rita

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited September 2007

    Rita,

    You are such a sweet lady!  I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.

    Let us know how it goes!

    Hugs,

    Harley

  • Cathy07
    Cathy07 Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2007

    Thanks all for the congrats!!

    Rita,

    My fingers are crossed for you tomorrow. I will say an extra prayer that this is a false alarm. My surgeon told me that I may find lumps and bumps as the healing process for the breast tissue will take numerous months. Hopefully this is what is happening. Please keep us all informed. Innocent this angel is to watch over you.

    Cathy

  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 980
    edited September 2007

    Hi all, Looks like we have more finishing treatment! Congrats!

    Rita,

    OK you just got done with rads not long ago so maybe this is just scar tissue which is common to show up later. I'll be praying that's all it is.

    I'm still plugging away with my treatment. My port site is infected again so am back on antibiotics for the third time. I won't give up!

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited September 2007

    Hi gals,

    I just got home from my appointment with the radiation oncologist.  I received good news (if tissue damage can be called good news.)  He feels 99 percent sure that it is damage from the radiation and scar tissue.  The new mass is located at the top margin of the lumpectomy hole and is directly in line with the top area of the boosts.  He feels that the good tissue has surrounded this scar tissue and is causing the mass.  He said that I didn't feel it earlier because there was too much fluid still in my lumpectomy cavity at the end of radiation.  As the fluid has dissipated, the scar tissue has become more obvious.

    I was so relieved that I sobbed right in his office.  It felt so much like the original lump and being Grade 3 caused my mind to go off at many different tangents.

    Thank you so much for your encouraging words and compassion.  You certainly helped me make it through this past week and I really appreciate each and every one of you... your prayers and good vibes that you sent my way.

    I hope that none of you have this type of scare but if something similar happens to you, I hope that my experience will help you maintain peace of mind until the check-up/and/or/tests are done.

    You're all great!  Needless to say, we are breaking out a bottle of my favorite wine this evening.  In the meantime, I'm heading over to the golf course and hitting golf balls as hard as I can.

    Rita

  • Cathy07
    Cathy07 Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2007

    Rita,

    Congratulations on the great news. What a relief!!

    Cathy

  • 3ofus
    3ofus Member Posts: 201
    edited September 2007

    Wonderful Rita!!! What a scare.  You were in my prayers constantly and I'm thanking God now for your good news.  I'm sure with time this area will heal much better. Also, I'm hoping with time and keeping in mind your experience, we will all move further away from the fear.  One day at a time!  Have a great celebration tonight!

    Ginny

  • candie1971
    candie1971 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited September 2007

    Rita, congrats on the good news!!Whew!!!

    Hugs and prayers,

    Candie

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited September 2007

    Rita,

    That is WONDERFUL NEWS!!!  Congratulations!  Have a glass of wine for me!!

    Harley

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited September 2007

    Harley...hope you don't mind but I had a couple of glasses of wine for you  (and a couple for me, too) and for the first time in weeks I actually slept through the night!  LOL

    Rita

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited September 2007

    Cathy,

    I'm sorry but I don't think I officially congratulated you on finishing chemo!  CONGRATULATIONS and YEAH!   Enjoy the break between chemo and rads.  For most of us, rads have been a "piece of cake" compared to chemo and we're hoping the same for you.  YOU MADE IT!!!!!!

    Rita

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited September 2007

    Yes, please have a couple of glasses of wine for me... and a couple for you, too!!

    Laughing LaughingLaughing

    HARLEY

  • Cathy07
    Cathy07 Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2007

    Rita,

    Thanks for the congrats but no apology needed you had enough on your own mind. I am so glad that everything turned out positive for you!! Now you can enjoy being done with chemo & rads and move forward.I am surely going to enjoy this break. We are going out tomorrow night to celebrate. Getting together with family and close friends.

    Can't wait for my hair to get back to normal. I just told my husband tonight that I am so tired of people saying "What the h... did you do to your hair. I said one time I would love to just say this is what 6  months of chemo does to a person. I know that the people that are making these comments do not know what I am going through but even if I where them I would never say that to someone.. these comments are really starting to get to me. I didn't have anyone say anything about my hair through this whole process. Now that it is growing back and I am really starting to feel good about it the comments start. They really hurt and bring me down at a time that I am starting to feel more confident about my hair. Sorry to babble on but I guess i just neede to release this.

    Cathy

  • Galigirl31
    Galigirl31 Member Posts: 103
    edited September 2007

    Rita, I am so happy about how your scare turned out.  I had had a scare about 2 months after surgery but before chemo.  They decided that it was a large knot that the ps tied in my stitches.  I guess we are all extra sensative to out bodies/breast areas and will be for a long time and this is a good thing, b/c if any of our scares turn out to be more than that, we all know that early treatment is the key.

    Ginny, love the hair!

    Cathy, Wear your hair, howver it looks, like a badge of courage and strength!!!

    Harley, You are almost there!!!!!!! Wink

    Thank G-d for all of you being there !!!!

    -Melanie Laughing

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited September 2007

    Melanie,


    Thanks!!  I am already planning a celebration party for when I finish chemo.  on Oct. 9th!  I think I'll have a glass of champagne, too!

    I had a little trouble with lymphedema, but it seems to be getting better.  I had a Neulasta shot in the left arm, which had some lymph nodes removed.  It got irritated, and sore.  But this was about a month ago, and I had no swelling.  Yesterday, I woke up and that left hand was SWOLLEN!  My arm and hand hurt yesterday!  But, now that I am elevating it, and moving it, and taking Motrin, and massaging it, it seems to be getting better.

    I'm sorry we all had to go through this, but I am so glad that I met you all.  You are all such a wonderful group of women!!!

    Thanks for all your help!

    Harley

  • Galigirl31
    Galigirl31 Member Posts: 103
    edited September 2007

    Harley, did you have lymph nodes removed on both sides?

    -melanie

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited September 2007

    Melanie,


    No, I only had lymph nodes removed from my left arm.  When I went for the Neulasta shot, the nurse was very confused, and tried to look for an area that had some fat on it.  They have been using my right arm for blood draws and txs, but for some reason, she just stuck me in the left arm before I had a chance to warn her. 

    So, now, I have them give me the shot in my stomach.  It doesn't hurt as much that way, either. 

    Hope you are doing great!

    Harley

  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 980
    edited September 2007

    Wow I've been in the hospital so wasn't able to check in the last few days. my infection got worse but with a few days of IV antibiotics is better. they plan on removing this port and puttin in a new on on Monday.

     I see we have good news more finishing Chemo and Rita with just scar tissue! Keep you heads held high and smile! You will get through this with all the love we share

    Hang in there

  • 3ofus
    3ofus Member Posts: 201
    edited October 2007

    bb45,

    I'm glad your infection is better.  I'm sorry that you have to have your port removed and a new one put in.  Just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Ginny

  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 980
    edited October 2007

    Old port is out and a drain in place and the new port is on the other side. Nurse wasn't happy about that but there was no choice we couldn't put the new where the old one was with the infection still showing it's ugly head. Still on antibiotics for another 10 days and will have to go in every day for dressing changes. That's ok at least I don't have to do it!

    Ginny your smile in you avatar says it all you look so happy I can't help but smiling when I see it!

    Harley I do the nupogen shots & thtr lovenox shots in my stomach I don't want my arms touched!

    hope all are doing well

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited October 2007

    Hi gals!

    Cheryl...so glad to hear that the port has been removed and a new one inserted.  Sorry you had to go through that and your last hospital stay.  Maybe now the infection will clear and you'll continue to progress.  Keep up that positive spirit, Cheryl.  You continue to amaze me with your inner strength and determination.

    I'm sorry, Harley and Cheryl but I can't imagine having shots in your stomach.  That sounds really painful to me.  You gals have "guts!!!"

    Ginny...glad things are going well for you.  Just continue to enjoy each day.

    Harley, the 9th is rapidly approaching....... get ready for a celebration!!!!

    Melanie, how are things going for you?  I think of you often.

    Candy...so what now????  :-)

    I have had a busy few weeks.  I went to Chicago on Saturday and walked with the Illinois ladies in the Susan G. Komen walk for the cure.  We had a great time!  We've posted pictures of the walk on the Illinois thread under Help Me Make it Through Treatments.  If you get a chance, hop over and check them out.  There were thousands of people who joined us and hopefully it will help find that cure that we all need.

    Take care ladies.  I"ll try to be a little better about posting this week.

    Rita

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited October 2007

    b445,

    Well, after that experience with the Neulasta shot, the next one I had in my stomach.  They don't hurt as bad that way.  Only THIS last time, the nurse just kept turning the needle this way and that, while it was in my stomach! 

    Oh, I'll be SO glad when I have my last tx on Oct 9th!! 

    Harley

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited October 2007

    Rita,

    Wow!  You sure HAVE been busy, lady!  I think that once all this bc crap is over, I will probably do one of those bc walks in my area. 

    Actually, getting the shots in my stomach really doesn't hurt too much.  I got Neupogen shots in my stomach, and you pinch some fat in that area, and stick the needle in that spot, and it really doesn't hurt.  Laughing

    I would rather have the shot in my stomach than my arm, though.  I am having lymphedema problems with swelling in my left hand and it's been one month since that nurse gave me the shot.  I hope I won't be having problems ALL THE TIME now, because of that.  I got an appt. with an LE specialist, but not until Oct. 17th... 

    Yes, I am going to celebrate after my LAST tx on Oct 9th!!  Just a week away!  I think I'm going to have a glass of champagne!

    Thanks for keeping us updated on how you are doing.  You are such a sweet lady!

    HARLEY

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited October 2007

    Harley,

    Are you completely done on the 9th?  Do you have to do Taxol or any rads? 

    Rita

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