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CMF Question

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Comments

  • Galigirl31
    Galigirl31 Member Posts: 103
    edited October 2007

    HI All,

    Rita, thanks for asking, yes i am doing well.

    Just crazy busy as all of us are.  I have been working 2 jobs, which is a little too much. 

    I have been getting lymphedema treatments 4 days a week and my hand and arm are wrapped.  It seems to be gettting better.

    My surgery is scheduled for Novemeber 28.  I am having my expanders taken out and implants put in.  I have been on Tamoxifen for a couple of weeks now and boy am I achy.

    I am also starting a divorce.  He is a constant source of pain and struggle.  I just wish things would have worked out differently, but hey, there is a reason for everything.

    I wish blessings to all of you,

    -melanie :)

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

    Melanie,


    Glad to hear that you are doing well. 

    I have also been getting lymphedema treatments, and my last (I hope) will be on Nov. 1st.  I am getting a sleeve and glove, and was measured for it today.  They are ordering it and I hope they will be here soon. 

    My surgery is on Nov. 7th, next week!  Just getting implants put in.  I didn't get expanders, because my ps thinks I will be ok without them.  He is using 'sizers' to fill them with saline, and will make adjustments, if necessary.

    Sorry about the divorce.  Sometimes things happen.

    Good Luck with your surgery on Nov. 28th!  I'll be thinking about you!  Hope all goes well! 

    Hugs,

    Harley

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

    Melanie,

    So glad to hear from you and that you are doing well.  I'd sure been thinking about you.

    I, too, am sorry to hear about your divorced.  It's really a bum deal.  I'm divorced, too.  It's quite an adjustment but I did learn that there are lots of other things that are worse than divorce or living alone.  I am finally getting my self-respect and confidence back and am dating a real nice guy.  It took me quite a while to work through the issues, but like this bc journey, it's doable and done in small sessions.  I guess this means that you did the bc journey in a rather unpleasant relationship and environment.  That really is the pits, but you made it!

    Keep in touch, Melanie.  We're all planning on having a good 2008 and you and Harley will start out the year with new boobs!!!!!!

    Rita

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

    Just popping in to say "hi".

    Looks like no new CMF ladies, I guess that is good?

    OOpps, there goes the door bell again, some more trick or treaters Laughing

    Take care everyone,

    Ginny

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

    Ginny,

    We'd wondered what had happened to you so it's so good to hear from you.

    Yep, there haven't been any new CMF gals lately so maybe they are doing less and less of this particular chemo.  I really hate to let this thread slide by though, in case there are some who eventually find it.  CMF is so different from AC.

    With that in mind, I guess I'll just keep bumping it up for awhile longer.

    Hope all is going well with you!  Have you got all your energy back yet?

    Rita

  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 980
    edited November 2007

    So good to see you all checking in and keeping the cmf thread alive!

    This week has not been a good one for me so I can't stay on long. But wanted you all to know I'm thinking of you

    Hugs & Prayers

  • socallisa
    socallisa Member Posts: 10,184
    edited November 2007

    We are thinking of you too CY

    Hugs from San Diego 

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

    Oh Cy!  So sorry you've had a bad week.  I hope this next one is better.  Hugs to you, dear........

    Rita

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

    Ginny, 

    So glad to hear from you.  I hope things have been going well for you.  I think of you often since our treatment plans were so closely aligned.  I have all my tests on Dec. 4th and am already becoming a bit nervous about them.  I guess that's normal.

    Check in when you can!

    Rita

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

    Hi gals,  It's just me again, bumping up this thread so we don't lose it!  I hope everyone is doing well and is busy!  Hugs to all of you.

    Harley, is this the week you have your surgery?  If so, good luck and let us know it goes.

    Rita

  • Galigirl31
    Galigirl31 Member Posts: 103
    edited November 2007

    Hi All,

    Thank you for your words of

    encouragement. 

    Getting through breast cancer treatments and living with "him"...I can do ANYTHING!!!

    Rita, You're the best!

    Harley, good luck this week.  We'll be thinking off you!

    Laughing

    -Melanie

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

    Hi all,


    Just checking in to let you know how the surgery went.  It went well!  I am so sore!   My ps called last night to see how I was.  I told him that the breasts didn't look as I had expected... not as big as I though they'd be...  He said  "you'll never be happy"...  he is SUCH A JERK!  My dh thinks that was strange, since my ps told him that it would take time for things to settle, and then I would be happy with how they look...  The ps ... the man IS a JERK!  I am sure things will be better, once they settle. 

    Melanie,

    Hugs!  I am so sorry about all you have been through!  you are so strong!  You are a survivor!   WE ALL ARE!!Laughing

    Hugs

    Harley

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

    Harley,

    So glad you checked in.  I was wondering how things went and am glad the surgery went well.  I can't believe your ps made that crude comment!  That's sure not very professional. 

    Since I just had the lumpectomy and no reconstruction, I'm not real familiar with the procedures.  Is there some way the size can be increased at a later time if you're still now pleased with them?

    In the meantime, be kind to yourself and allow them to heal.  Ouch!  It sounds painful to me so I hope they sent you home with good pain meds!  Hang in there.  Like I said, when the new year hits, both you and Melanie will be sporting sexy new boobs and you will be all healed and ready to move right on with your life!  LOL

    Have a great weekend!

    Rita

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


    Rita,


    Thanks!  You are so nice!

    If they aren't big enough, the ps can still make them bigger, I think he said he can do this in his office, so no more surgery... he will be re attaching the nipple, and they have a tattooist who will tatoo the aureola...  Phew!  I will be glad when all this is finished!

    Have a great weekend!

    Harley

  • Galigirl31
    Galigirl31 Member Posts: 103
    edited November 2007

    Harley, So glad the surgery went well.  Let me know when you are going to have the expansion done.  I assume that it is sort of like what they did to me.  Each week for about 8 weeks they injected saline.  I called them my fill-ups.  Not too bad, certainly nothing compared with anything we have dealt with.

    Hi Rita Laughing.

    -Melanie  :)

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

    Melanie,


    Hi.  Good to hear from you.  How are you doing?  Are you swollen at all?  Are you sore?  I guess you are stretched now, so probably not.   Let me know how everything is going.  I hope all is well.

    I am not having the exchange surgery... my ps said I will only need one surgery.  He filled it during my surgery but said that if I think I need to be a little bigger, he can do that in his office.  So far, he put 275 cc in each implant, and there is a capacity of 330 cc, I think.  I am just glad that I only need the one surgery, because I am so sick of surgeries, it's not funny!  These were my very first surgeries ever... the biopsy,  the mast., and now THIS.... I think that is enough for a lifetime!

    Hugs,

    Harley

  • geebung
    geebung Member Posts: 17
    edited November 2007

    I was SO happy to see your post just now Harley and know it is all over and went well. The insensitive comments from the ps are not what you needed though. I can think of a few choice things I would like to say to him!

    Hope you are taking enough pain meds and that the pain settles down quickly. I bet Thor and your other kitty (can't remember his/her name) were happy to see you come home.

    Hugs,

    gb 

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

    Geebung,

    Hi there.  I don't want to think about this ps...  Whenever I say anything, he twists it all around, and I am getting so tired of it!  I guess I will have to see him for regular followups, for awhile, but I just don't want to see him again.  Maybe once this is all over, I can find a new ps...  I get so mad, when I think about it!

    Oh, Thor has been so snuggly lately!  And, Spike, too!  I think they know that I need them.  They can sense that, I think.  I didn't spend the night at the hospital, though.  It was an outpatient surgery. 

    Hugs,

    Harley 

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

    Hi, girls,

    Haven't posted here in awhile. Rita,yes, I will make a conscious effort also to keep this thread alive for CMF girls.

    Glad to know you are all ok..Congrats on those with new boobs!!

    Rita, I havent seen you in the circle lately? All of you are welcome to the Circle!!

    Hugs and prayers

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

    Hi gals!

    Harley,  I hope everything is still going well with you.

    Hi Melanie!

    Candie, so good to see a post from you.  I visited the Circle a few times about a month or two ago.  It goes pretty fast for me.  I had a hard time keeping everybody straight and there seemed to a bit of friction in the thread that I didn't want to get involved with since I didn't know all the details.  I will drop back by one of these days and attempt to jump in again.  Thanks for the offer!

    It is a lovely Illinois day for November and I am going out to walk and enjoy it.  I hope everyone is doing well.  It's hard to believe that it was last year at this time when several of us began our journey, isn't it?

    Take care sisters.

    Rita

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

    How are you doing, Harley?  I've been thinking about you.

    Rita

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

    Rita,


    Thanks for thinking about me!  I am feeling better, and not as sore. 

    Yesterday, I went to a Look Good, Feel Better seminar at a wig shop in Wilmington.  It was fun, and the FREE makeup was really cool!  I brought a new friend from the coffee shop who has bc with mets to the bone.

    I had an appt. to see my onc's nurse on Monday.  He was on vacation.  She gave me a script for Tamoxifen.  I filled it, and am just sitting here with it, looking at the bottle, and...  thinking about all the possible se's from it or Arimidex, and I just don't want to take either one.

    Are you taking Arimidex?  Have you had many se's from it?  Do you have joint pains?  Are you getting regular bone density scans?  Lots of questions, but not too many answers.  I am so nervous about taking either of these.  Since I am post-menopausal, due to premature ovarian failure, I guess I should be taking an AI, but since I am so conflicted about taking them, because of the damage to my bones, my onc wants to start me on Tamoxifen and switch me to an AI after 2 years. 

    I'll be traveling with my dh tomorrow.  After my ps appt., we are going to Norfolk to visit with some of my dh's co-workers, in the Navy.   We are spending the night in a hotel in Norfolk, and then coming back home on Friday.  The guys we are meeting are just there overnight.  It will be fun to see some of these guys again.  I think my dh is feeling a little lost, since he retired. 

    Well, I had better go now, I have to get packed and get to bed early tonight.  I am having trouble sleeping... I just CAN'T sleep on my back! 

    Thanks for checking on me.

    Harley

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

    Harley,

    I have been taking Arimidex now for three months.  The only side effect that I have had is insomnia.  I have trouble getting to sleep.  It is getting better than it was at first.  As for the joint pain, I have been lucky there...........none to date. 

    I had a base line bone density test which was good.   I go to see my oncologist again in December and don't know if he'll have me get another one that soon or not. 

    You could always give Tamoxifen or Arimidex a try and see.  My insomnia was almost immediate and most people say that they get joint pain (if they're going to get it) within the first month.  You can always stop if you see side effects that you don't want.

    Enjoy your night away and your friends.  I'm so glad you are doing well.

    Rita

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

    Harley,

    I have been taking Arimidex now for three months.  The only side effect that I have had is insomnia.  I have trouble getting to sleep.  It is getting better than it was at first.  As for the joint pain, I have been lucky there...........none to date. 

    I had a base line bone density test which was good.   I go to see my oncologist again in December and don't know if he'll have me get another one that soon or not. 

    You could always give Tamoxifen or Arimidex a try and see.  My insomnia was almost immediate and most people say that they get joint pain (if they're going to get it) within the first month.  You can always stop if you see side effects that you don't want.

    Enjoy your night away and your friends.  I'm so glad you are doing well.

    Rita

  • colleenperry_1
    colleenperry_1 Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2007

    I did 8 rounds of CMF in 1999 then radiation.  I did not lose my hair. But ask for anti-nausea meds. There is no reason not to be able to have them. It made my chemo manageable. i did have fatigue. I have been on tamoxifen and femara since and cancer free!

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

    Rita,

    Thanks for the advice!  I think I will give the Tamoxifen a try, but I don't want to start it until I am back home.  I'll probably start it tomorrow, after I get home. 

    I didn't know this, but I just heard that I may start having periods when I take Tamoxifen, and I am not too happy about that.  I sure hope the person who told me this was wrong.  Does this happen with Arimidex, too?  I sure hope not.  UGH! 

    I am glad that you didn't have any joint pain or bone pain with Arimidex.  It's good to hear that you are doing ok on it, without too many se's.

    Have a great weekend!

    Harley 

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

    Hi everyone!

    So sorry to hear about your divorce Melanie.  I know having bc makes you really look at your relationships and sift the bad out!

    Stay strong!

    Harley and Melanie you are moving right along with your reconstructions---way to go!  I was strongly considering having another mast (good side) and reconstruction, but just found out my ps is moving to California!  I don't know if there are any other ps who do the diep without removing muscle (the micro surgery)?

    Rita, so good of you to keep this thread going! I hope you can get some improved sleep.

    Hi Candy and collenperry!

    Just had a bone scan today, so pls keep me in your prayers.

    Blessings everyone!

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

    Ginny...SO GOOD to hear from you.  I hope that your bone scan was just a yearly "check" and not instigated because of nagging suspicions or symptoms.  I will keep you in my prayers and am sending HUGS across the miles to you. 

    Hang in there!

    Rita

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

    Ginny,

    Good to hear from you.  I hope your bone scan goes well.  Is it just a routine test?  My onc doesn't want to do any tests, but I would feel better if they did at least a bone scan.  I am so afraid of bc recurrence! 

    Yes, I had my reconst. surgery last week.  I just had saline implants, and my ps will be adding the nipple and aureola later.  I'll be glad to be finished with all this soon.

    Thinking of you, and praying that all is well with your bone scan test results... all negative, I pray!

    Thanks, Rita, for keeping us in the loop, on this thread! 

    I am scared, but I think I'll start the Tamoxifen tomorrow.  I still am not sure whether I should be taking Tamoxifen or an AI, since I am post menopausal, and have had my breasts removed.  I read that Tamoxifen works on the breast tissue, so I am kind of confused.

    Hugs

    Harley

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

    Hi Ginny

    Glad to see you posting. Good luck on the scan.

    Harley, good luck on the tamoxifen

    Rita, always good to see u too

    Hugs and prayers,

    Candie

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