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CMF Question

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Comments

  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 980
    edited November 2007

    so good to see so many coming back to let us know how they are doing!

    It's been a rough and rocky road for me this past month or so. But I am seeing a wound specialist and getting the old port site cleaned up it now has a hole that is a little over 1 x 2 x3/4 but it's starting to heal finially. They have scheduled a plastic surgeon to close it up in the next month or so.

    After about 5 weeks of no chemo I started back up. so at least the fight is back on! They canceled the scans due this week because if they showed progression they would be obligated to change chemo and they really feel this chemo is the right one but just hasnb't had a chance to work cause they kept stopping it for other reasons. so we will give it another 8 weeks and then do the scans, that puts it mid Jan.

    I have taken the advise of a counsler and taken vacation this next week. The new gal has the basics doen and if she can't do my job with that info then she never will.

    I have to take time for me and I plan on going to spend a couple days with my daughter and her kids. They are just what I need right now. Positive energy.

    Other than a lap top they are the best things I can ask for.

    That and getting hot water and a running shower again! Another reason to go to DD is a nice hot shower!

    Harley glad the surgery is done soom you'll have your mipple and things will look much better!

    Rita, just ignore the tension in the circle I do and it helps it go a way. I guess the latest tension was over something someone said to me. I tried to ignore it but others were outraged!

    Be postative and try to smaile that's what I do best!

    love, hugs & Prayers to all

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

    Oh Cheryl,

    I am so glad to get your update but so sorry that you've had such a hard time this past month.  Hopefully they have things under control and the chemo will now be able to do its work.  You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

    Under the circumstances, I hope you had a great birthday earlier this month and that you're up for a big Thanksgiving dinner next week!  I'm glad you're taking time off to concentrate on you and you are so right.........family is what you need to help lift you up and get you over these speed bumps in life's road that you're encountering.

    Hugs to you Cheryl!

    Rita

  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 980
    edited November 2007

    Family is important and I do love being with mine! Seems like work gets in the way too much! wish I had 4 more years in at work and then I could do a medical retirement. That seems so far away!

    The pain in in much better control since I've let others drive I can take the meds more often and that helps a lot. But man I hate giving up the wheel! But like the song says Jesus Take The Wheel!

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

    Hey, I'd hate the not driving part, too.  In fact, I guess I hate most things where I don't have control or feel like I have some control, but for now, just do what you have to do to move on, Cheryl.  Now that the old port site is healing up, this chemo can work its magic and zap those dirty cancer cells.  Then before you know it, you'll be complaining about all the hours of work that you're putting in again!  :-)

    Hang in there dear "sister."  Enjoy your family and have a good holiday.

    Rita

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

    Hi Rita, Harley, Candie...

    Thanks for your prayers!  This was the first bone scan I have had and it was not routine.  I had bone pain in my ribs for a couple months, then knee pain...My bone scan is normal!!!  I think the bone pain in the ribs is from radiation and the knee pain is an injury from working out.  Good to rule it out though! I tell ya, this bc keeps you on your toes, literally! Wink

    Harley, good luck on the tamoxifen!

    Rita, have you seen the link, "prayers for CY"?

    Collenperry, thanks for the great hope! 

    Take care everyone!

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

    Ginny,

    Thank God!  I am so glad to hear that your bone scan was normal!  YAY!

    I started the Tamoxifen yesterday, and so far, so good.  But, this is only the second day, so who knows?

    You are such a very sweet person!  So glad to hear good news!

    Harley

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

    Oh Ginny....so GLAD that the scan was normal!  You must have been a nervous wreck over that!  Anyway, it's good that it all checked out O.K. so that you can enjoy the holidays.

    Harley....I have a feeling you are going to do just fine on the Tamoxifen.  It's just that it is so scary taking that stuff, isn't it?  Still, I think we're lucky that we have the option.

    I did not see the thread "prayers for Cy" so I'm off to search for it.  Thanks for the head's up on that Ginny!

    Hi to all you other CMF gals.  Have a great Thanksgiving! 

    Tomorrow I will be a one year bc survivor.  Thanksgiving has taken on a whole new meaning for me this year!!!!

    Rita

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

    Rita....congrats on one year cancerversary!!! woohoo!!!

    Yes,I agree with Cheryl....about the circle...since I never knew what was going on there(and I don't want to know) I just continue posting and ignore all the junk...I am always concerned for the new people too, I wouldn't want us to scare them away. 

    Harley, glad u r "so far so good" on tamoxifen...

    Rita is right, you  are gonna  do just fine on it

    Cheryl, always glad to see u posting here too. Enjoy your time with daughters and grandkids. Just sit back and relax and let others do the driving for now.

    Ginny, good to see you too. That's funny, I had knee pain too. Turns out it was a miniscal tear that I had surgery on in Sept. Only, the past few days it is hurting again, just like before the surgery. You and I are not the first ones I have heard with this knee pain. I wonder if there is a connection, tho my docs say no. I thought maybe the chemo weakened something. Well, I am certainly glad your scans came back ok.

    Last year at this time, I was going thru chemo...had no energy and couldnt eat the turkey or anything. A good friend of mine, her daughter and my daughter prepared all the food for the holiday. This year I am thankful that it is all behind me and I can eat everything!!! and thankful that all of us here are  keeping in touch with each other. Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!!!

    Hugs and prayers,

    Candie

  • Galigirl31
    Galigirl31 Member Posts: 103
    edited November 2007

    Hello all and Happy and healthy Thanksgiving!!!

    Ginny, congrats, really, on the normal bone scan.

    Rita...You ARE a survivor!!!!

    Harley, I have been on tamoxifen for about 2 months now (stopped a few days ago because of the exchange surgery next week).  I know that is might be different because I have only recently started menopause (due to the chemo), but so far my side effects are managable. Achiness is the toughest part, I guess, all over, but mostly in my feet.

    Candie, ENJOY your turkey!!

    Kisses to all,

    melanie

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

    Rita,

    Congratulations on your ONE YEAR cancer anniversary!!


    Yes, we certainly DO have A lot to be grateful for.  In the past, Thanksgiving only seemed like a day that we eat turkey and watch football on TV.  But, it really DOES feel different to me now.

    I agree that taking Tamoxifen is scary, but it IS good that we have this option!   That is another thing to be thankful for!

    Cheryl,

    Thanks!  Yes, I think when the nipple is put on, things will look a lot better!

    Candie,

    Hi... Happy Thanksgiving! 

    Melanie,

    Thanks for the encouragement on the Tamoxifen!   

    Good Luck with your exchange surgery!  

    We are ALL survivors!

    HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

    Harley

  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 980
    edited November 2007

    hope all had a Great Thanksgiving! We are here for each other and for that I am very Grateful!

    Rita Yahoo! 1 year down many many more to go!

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

    Hi gals!

    I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving.  Mine was lots better than last year since I had my first surgery 4 days before Thanksgiving and my second one a couple of days before Christmas!  A year can make a BIG difference.  How well I understand your feelings, Candie as we were probably not far behind each other in our treatment plans.

    Cheryl, I hope you're enjoying your time with your family.  I think of you every day and attempt to send good vibes and prayers your way.

    Melanie...so good to hear from you.  I'm glad that things are going better for you and wish you the best on your exchange surgery.  Please keep in touch.

    Ginny....once again I'm so glad that your scans were good.  I have mine in two weeks and that brings out all the nervous anxiety again.

    I'm heading for a Chicago tomorrow with my friend Mary Jane who is a 14 year survivor.  We're meeting 8 of the girls from the Illinois thread for dinner tomorrow night and then we're spending a few days doing mega-Christmas shopping.  This was planned last year and we had to cancel due to me so we're really looking forward to it.  I'd love to finish most of my shopping so I have time to get things wrapped and just enjoy the holiday season this.

    When I get back, I will check back into the Circle, Candie and try to be quick enough to keep up with the flow of the posts. 

    Hugs to all of you gals.

    Rita

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

    Yes, a belated Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends here!

    So much to be thankful for!

    So good to hear from you CY!  How are you doing? 

    Melanie, all the best on your exchange surgery.

    Rita, prayers for great news from your testing soon.

    Harley, hi too.

    Yes, I guess I can say it has been a year for me too (my surgery was November 9th, 2006, and that's when I consider the time to count).  Any new CMF ladies reading this post,  hang in there, you will get through this---look at all of us here that have! 

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

    oops,  Hi Candie!  Amazing that a year has gone by!  I hope you really enjoyed the turkey dinner this yearSmile

    I think the chemo may have some effect on how our body handles strains  (ie. on our knees...) that we could handle without problem before.  But I think it is a matter of time for our cells to rebuild and heal.  Heck, it could also be that we age every year tooUndecided

    Take care!

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

    Hi gals!

    It's always nice to hear from you, Ginny!  Glad things are going well.

     I just spent three days in Chicago on a a marathon Christmas shopping trip with a friend.  We had a ball and met 8 of the Illinois girls from the Illinois breast cancer thread for dinner at a lovely little cafe in Long Grove.  We literally shopped until we dropped and for the first time in a long time, I slept in this morning.  It was SO nice.

    Hope all is going well for you Harley.  When is your exchange surgery, Melanie?

    I haven't made it to the Circle again Candie, but do have good intentions.  Hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving.  All my tests are this next Tuesday and I'm getting nervous.  I hope they come out O.K. so that I can enjoy Christmas this year.  We had a pretty quiet Thanksgiving...just my step-dad, Dave and I.  It was hard because it was the first one without Mom but was pretty peaceful otherwise.

    Well, I'm behind in my schedule so I need to get moving.

    Hugs to all of you!

    Rita

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

    Hey Rita,

    I am doing ok.  I have been feeling kind of achey, and I am wondering if that is being caused by the Tamoxifen...  

    I think Melanie had her surgery on 11/28, so I hope she will post here, so we know how she is doing.

    Harley

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

    Hi Harley!  That achy feeling might be the Tamoxifen.  If it continues, then I'd say that the Tamoxifen is the culprit.  I had some achiness when the weather first turned colder here and worried that the Arimidex was causing it but it seemed to go away so I guess it was just regular aches caused by "getting older." 

    I also hope that Melanie posts soon to let us know how she did.  Hopefully everything went smoothly and she'll be able to enjoy the holiday season.

    Catch you later....

    Rita

  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 980
    edited December 2007

    hi girls hope you are doing well. I've had another setback. I was just dx with brain mets. I'm a bit scared but know the good Loard has plans for me that I've yet to do. One day at a time

    Hugs & Prayers, Love ya

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

    Cy,

    My heart goes out to you, dear "sister."  Your fear is understandable.  I'd be a basket-case.  I get so angry and upset with this disease.  It just isn't fair!  We need that cure.  You shouldn't have to be going through this again and I'm so very sorry for you.

    However, I do believe in the power of prayer and I will continue to pray for you, Cy.  I've just come from the site Prayers for Cy, and it's pretty obvious that LOTS of us will be holding you in our cyberspace arms and praying for God's healing touch.   I will also pray that the brain mets can be eradicated by the surgery and that you will feel the love of all the women on this site and the circle as you travel this next journey.

    Hugs to you dear friend.

    Rita

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

    Dear Cy,


    I am so sorry to hear that you  have another setback!

    I will be keeping you in my prayers, as I am a big believer in prayers.  They have  helped me through my bc journey so far. 

    Hugs,

    Harley

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

    Rita,


    Thanks for letting me know that my achiness may be a se from Tamoxifen.  I will let you know if it continues.  It seems better today. 

    I am glad that you had a wonderful Christmas shopping spree!  I'm trying to get in the spirit, but the crowded stores always put me in a bad mood.  I will have to try to get a list together, and maybe try to get there early, before the stores get too crowded.

    Harley

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

    Hi everyone,

    Haven't posted here in a bit. So many threads, so lil time.

    Rita, how have you been. I met with NJ girls this past saturday and it was wonderful!! What a great day.

     Cy,my prayers are with u today

    Harley,Ginny,Melanie, hope you are all well

    I am home today and tomorrow. I am having a colonoscpy and endoscopy done tomorrow. So today is prep day. It is my first time so I am quite apprehensive. Oh well, we gotta do what we gotta do.

    Take care all.

    Hugs and prayers,

    Candie

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

    Candie,

    Oh, my!  I am trying to delay my colonoscopy as long as I can.  It will be my first, and my surgeon says I need to have one soon, because having had bc puts us at higher risk for colon cancer too. 

    Good Luck with all that nasty prep work...  I am sure all will go well with the test!  I'll be thinking about you.

    Harley

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

    Hi gals....

    Candie...I think that the prep is the worst part of the procedure and it has improved from times past.  I'm due for another one, too and have been putting it off because I'm just so sick of tests and doctors.  Once I get through January, I'll call in and get it set up.  You will do just fine.  After all you've been through with the bc treatments, this is a piece of cake. I will be thinking about you tomorrow as I have my yearly exam and mammo....and hopefully we'll both have a smile on our faces when the results are in!!!

    Is everyone ready for Christmas?????

    Believe it or not, I've actually got a pretty good start this year.  I must admit that the gift situation last year was pretty rotten at my house since I had my first surgery a few days before Thanksgiving and my second one a few days before Christmas.  Everyone should be pleasantly surprised this year!!!!

    Off to work on some Christmas cards!

    Melanie....hope all is going well after your exchange surgery.  Please give us an update when you are able to do so.  We're thinking about you.

    Rita

  • Galigirl31
    Galigirl31 Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2007

    Hello all,

    I am so very happy for everybody who is feeling well and for those of you struggling, prayers go out all of the time.

    I had my exchange surgery last Wed.  4th surgery in a year.  I guess I am getting used to it...sort of.

    Basically everything went very well.  I had some strange anethesia issues.  But I am doing well.  I can't wait until these damn drains come out.

    I just read through the posts and THANK YOU all for your concern.

    Harley, I am totally achy due to the tamoxifen. 

    Happy Holidays!!!

    -Melanie :)Laughing

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

    Melanie,

    I am so glad that your surgery went well, and you are doing well.  We were worried when we didn't see any posts from you with an update. 

    My surgery went well, but I was SO sore this time!!  OUCH!  I wanted to tell my ps that if I knew I was going to be THIS sore after the surgery, I would have just left my breasts the way they were!

    Hope you continue to feel better!

    Happy Holidays!


    Harley

    PS  Rita, would you do my Christmas shopping for me?  I am so way behind, it will just be a miracle if I get my cards out and my cookies baked this year!

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

    CY, we love you so much!  You have been such a generous and loving support to all of us here on CMF thread.  You have made a difference in my life as you really helped me get through such a scary time.  My prayers are with you daily.  May God give you abundant graces and blessings during this very difficult time.

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

    Hi to Candie.  Hope all of your testing went well and you get nothing but good news!

    Melanie and Harley, so glad your surgeries went well.  Hope your tubes come out soon Melanie!  Hang in there.

    Rita,  what a different Christmas for us this year!  Last year we both had our surgeries before Christmas, and chemo started right after.  Here we are, praise God, celebrating Christmas with such gratitude!

    I hope everyone doing CMF or coming to this thread is doing well and knowing that you have support here.

    Blessings everyone!

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

    Hi gals!

    Melanie...SO GOOD TO GET YOUR PROGRESS REPORT and so good to hear that things are going well after your surgery.  We were all "rooting" for you!  You should be healed enough that you'll be able to enjoy the holidays.

    Ginny...you are so right.  What a different holiday season this will be for us.  I just got back from my one year mammogram.  The good breast (the right one) was completely clear.  The left one showed a mass around the scar tissue, but the radiologist at the Susan G. Komen Center assured me that it's scar tissue and radiation damage.  To be sure, they will take another mammo of that breast in June.   Now I have to get by the oncologist next week and hopefully the blood work will be fine and I'm good to go for a few months.

    Candie, I have been thinking about you all day.  How did the colonoscopy go today?  Didn't you think that the prep was really worse than the procedure?

    Harley, I'll do your shopping if you'll do my baking!  :-)  Gosh I wish we lived closer.  I'm sure we could make a mutually pleasing deal!  

    LOL

    CY..Ginny's so right!  You have helped so many of us and we love you.  We're praying for you and your family.  Hang in there, dear sister.  We're with you in spirit.

    I'm off to the recliner for a quick nap.

    Hope everyone is doing well today.

    Rita

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

    Rita,


    That sounds like a great deal to me!  I will be baking cookies soon.  Put your order in, and I'll mail them to you!!   I'll send you my list of gifts to buy, too!

    Harley

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