Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Illinois ladies facing bc

1…3233353738…1172

Comments

  • JanClare
    JanClare Member Posts: 267
    edited July 2007
    Name: JanClare
    Age at DX: 53
    Date of DX: Oct 4, 2006
    Which breast: who knows
    Type of Biopsy for DX: Needle Core
    Type of BC: yeah, give me the tough questions! Who knows on type of BC? Metastatic carcinoma of the right lymph nodes, presumed to be breast cancer
    Size of invasive tumor/s: unknown
    Size of in-situ tumor: unknown
    Stage: 3a
    Grade: 3
    ER: negative
    PR: negative
    Her2neu: negative
    ki-67: huh??
    Mastectomy or Lumpectomy: Bilateral Mastectomy
    When: March 8, 2007
    If Mastectomy, single or double: double
    Clean Margins?: does not apply to me.
    Prophylactic Mastectomy: yes
    SN Biopsy: yes
    Sent. Node Positive or Negative: positive
    Axillary Dissection: yes
    How many nodes were removed: 17
    Positive Lymph Node/s: yes
    If yes, how many were positive: 4
    Reconstruction: no
    If yes, what type: n/a
    Chemo: yes
    Chemo started: Oct of 2006
    Chemo ended: Feb of 2007
    What type of chemo: A/C + Taxol - 16 weeks - dose dense
    Radiation: yes
    Radiation started: May of 2007
    Radiation ended: June of 2007
    Tamoxifen: no
    AI, (Arimidex, etc.): no
    Herceptin: no
    How was your bc discovered: swollen lymph node
    Did bc show up on Mammo?: no
    Did bc show up on breast MRI?: no
    Did bc show up on an US?: no
    # of B9 biopsies prior to DX: none
    BRCA 1&2 status: Negative (for both)
    Lymphedema: stage one truncal lymphedema
    Tumor Markers?: no

    Specific notes, complications, remarks, etc. re: your DX, treatment or current status:

    Only 1% of breast cancer patients have occult or “hidden” primaries. Lucky me, I get to be part of that very small subset. At least it’s assumed that I had breast cancer, that’s their best guess. I’m also triple negative (which would make sense if it wasn’t breast cancer). Still no other plan of attack is available other then what I did. No plan of reconstruction in the near future. Mast. site still sore and underarm is still numb.
  • fitzpatti
    fitzpatti Member Posts: 31
    edited July 2007
    Hi Susan,
    I am glad you had good news post colonoscopy. I am just now starting to feel good enough to start thinking about some of the highlights of my experience with BC. I like my surgeon, however, he told me over the cell phone while I was driving my car that I had cancer. I asked him to give me a minute to pull the car over. He asked if I was alright. To this day I would not wish anyone to get that kind of news on the phone. I asked him what kind of cancer and he said your typical garden type variety. He is a very good surgeon but needs to learn more about patients feelings. I don't know if because I am a nurse he thought I would take the news any easier, but I did not. Since then it is a blur of surgeries, chemo and rads. I have a whole new appreciation for all the patients with cancer that I have taken care of over the years. It was just a diagnosis to me before and now it is a way of life.
    Best wishes, Pat
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 4,011
    edited July 2007
    Hi Girls -
    I was pschycologically at my worst after all treatment ended. I was left feeling vulnerable and yes, shaking my head and thinking, holy cra* what the heck happened during the past year! It's known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome...it makes sense, we are/were in heavy duty combat mode and then the war ends, and we're still soldiers but we no longer have the artillary. It took me about 3-4 months - post-end-of-treatment - to snap out of it. I was depressed, frustrated, mad, etc. But halleluliah! it went away...and it hasn't been back!

    But one thing that's good - we still have our fellow soldiers to lean on!
  • zap
    zap Member Posts: 1,850
    edited July 2007
    Dear Pat:
    I did not know you were a nurse.

    I never fill out those "Care" type cards for hopsital people, but I did that tonight after I read your post. The doctor was just being a doctor and that must get tired for him. The nurse, on the other hand, spoke to me about her pregnancy (third baby), her childcare situation (that is hard) and I told her about my grandbaby (my first), my daughter and her husband's wish for her to be a stay at home mom for at least one year. Nurses can be, and generally are, the coolest people on earth. So I am glad to hear that you are a nurse, and not just that, a director of nurses. I did place that "care" letter in the mail and I hope that Stephanie gets recognized. I am sorry, that on the other hand, you received your news on the highway on a cell. I am certain that experience will work for you as you tackle a deeper undertsanding of empathy.
    Susan
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 4,011
    edited July 2007
    Pat -
    I echo Susan...that's a horrible way to find out you have bc! It's amazing you were able to continue driving. I have 3 cousins that are Dr's and they all agree they don't get enough training in relation to "bed-side manner".

    Susan -
    I couldn't agree more..."nurses are the coolest on earth"! My Mother recently retired from 28 years of nursing. She was the type of nurse that when patients had no one to take care of their animals while they were in the hospital...she would go to their homes and feed them until they got out of the hospital. It's ironic...she thought she'd be a bored retiree...but she's working more than ever as a dog/cat sitter. She actually sleeps over night and stays with the pets the entire time. Her clients are all word of mouth...and they love her!

    I hope your daughter can stay home as long as possible. How's the little one doing?

    Just one more thing...a good friend of mine was dx'd with colon cancer recently. She never had a colonscopy and her Dr said that had she, they would have caught it sooner and she wouldn't have had to have 1/3 of the Colon removed. She is going to be fine, but her situation is a perfect example of why it's really important to have it done. My Grandpa died from Colon cancer, so I had my first one when I was 42. This is funny...they fill you up with gas so they can see all the lovely inners...my dh told me that after they wheeled me out to recovery, I had quite a bit of gas "escape"! I have no recollection of this, but he said I sat up and yelled to everyone in the area - "I'm so sorry! I'm so embarrassed" and he said one of the nurses came over and said "no problem, honey...we're used to it". I was so humiliated. My dh was cracking up!
  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited July 2007
    Good morning all you wonderful Illinois ladies!!!

    I'm taking it easy today and trying to rest up from my time with my grandchildren and the trip to Minnesota. I can't believe I am so tired, but wouldn't have traded the experience for anything. Thursday is my last chemo and I hate the thought of doing it again but will be so glad when it is finally over.

    Thanks Laura for posting the info sheet. I will work on mine later today. It touches on everything and will indeed give us a better idea about everyone's journey.
    In the meantime, I need to do laundry! YUCK!

    Are you feeling any better, Kate?

    Pat, are you planning a celebration for the end of the rads????

    Well, I'll be back later...gotta get moving. I slept in this morning which is very unusual for me!

    Rita
  • zap
    zap Member Posts: 1,850
    edited July 2007
    Rita:
    I should not have jumped to arimidex when you are still coping with treatments. Just one step at a time. I will be thinking of you on Thursday....and keep it mind that it is the last time! I hope the fatique lifts soon. It is overwhleming and relentless sometimes. You sound like you are high-active and accustomed to a very active life style (I never cared about laundry when I was doing treatments and the golf course will always be a better place with me not on it) and so maybe you just have to let yourself SLEEEEEEEEEP and rest more than you like. Good luck!
    Susan
  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited July 2007
    Thanks Susan! I'm glad you mentioned the Arimidex because I've been concerned about it and have heard all the bad hype that it's been getting. I talked with my oncologist about it and he said that if I began to experience any of the severe joint pain, he wouldn't hesitate to switch me to Femora. Like you, I want the security that the drug is supposed to provide. I go back to talk with the oncologist on the 9th and to start on the pills. I will update you with his comments at that time.

    Rita
  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited July 2007
    Here's my info!

    Name: Rita
    Age at DX: 59
    Date of DX: November 21, 2006
    Which breast: left
    Type of Biopsy for DX: Excisional
    Type of BC: IDC Invasive Ductile
    Size of invasive tumor/s: largest 1.4 cm
    Size of in-situ tumor:
    Stage: 1
    Grade: 3
    ER: negative
    PR: positive
    Her2neu: negative
    ki-67: Don’t know ????Dah!!!
    Mastectomy or Lumpectomy: Lumpectomy
    When: December 21, 2006
    If Mastectomy, single or double: s
    Clean Margins?: Margins were not clear after excisional biopsy but were clear after second surgery.
    Prophylactic Mastectomy:
    SN Biopsy: yes
    Sent. Node Positive or Negative: negative
    Axillary Dissection: yes
    How many nodes were removed: 4
    Positive Lymph Node/s: none
    If yes, how many were positive:
    Reconstruction: no
    If yes, what type: n/a
    Chemo: yes
    Chemo started: January of 2007
    Chemo ended: August 2, 2007
    What type of chemo: CMF…6 IV treatments
    Radiation: yes
    Radiation started: May of 2007
    Radiation ended: June of 2007
    Tamoxifen: no
    AI, (Arimidex, etc.): Will be taking this after the last chemo, I think
    Herceptin: no
    How was your bc discovered: I found it during a coughing spell!
    Did bc show up on Mammo?: Yes, once I found it but not on the previous one.
    Did bc show up on breast MRI?: yes
    Did bc show up on an US?: yes
    # of B9 biopsies prior to DX: 1 biopsy – 1983—same breast
    BRCA 1&2 status: Not checked
    Lymphedema: no
    Tumor Markers?: no

    Specific notes, complications, remarks, etc. re: your DX, treatment or current status:

    The treatments are about over and I am so relieved to put them behind me.
  • conniehar
    conniehar Member Posts: 585
    edited July 2007
    Hi ladies -

    Well, I had my last AC yesterday! Yippee! It feels good to be done with that, but I still have throat sores and problems with constipation/hemorroids so I don't feel completely done with that yet. I start Taxol on Aug 16th. Hope that goes ok.

    I will post my stats later tonight after I review my path report.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 4,011
    edited July 2007
    Connie -
    NO MO CHE MO! Congrats...I hope the s/e's go away soon. Just think...you can close a chapter and start a new one! As for the roids...I used Anamantle HC 2.5% and it worked like a charm. They screwed up my r/x and sent me 5 boxes of 20! Meds can't be returned so they told me to just keep them all! If you want a few tubes (they're individually wrapped and sealed) I would be happy to put some in the mail to you - just PM me your address. We use it for sunburn and mosquito bites too! LOL

    --------------------------------

    The White Sox are offering a bc tank top in support of bc - and donating the funds to our cause. If you're interested, here's the link:
    http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/cws/fan_...Stanktops071107

    (Rita I know you're a Cubs fan but - hey it's a good cause, and it would look cute on you!)

    --------------------

    Hope you're all having a nice day!
  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited July 2007
    Connie........Congrats on finishing the AC! Take a big deep breath and savor your accomplishment. Hopefully things will be on the down-hill slide for you now as you continue on your journey. I sincerely hope that the throat sores and other problems disappear very shortly. Enjoy your few weeks in-between everything....a real chemo holiday!!!

    Rita
  • conniehar
    conniehar Member Posts: 585
    edited July 2007
    Name: Connie
    Age at DX: 39
    Date of DX: March 8, 2007
    Which breast: left
    Type of Biopsy for DX: Core
    Type of BC: ILC
    Size of invasive tumor/s: 10 cm!!!
    Size of in-situ tumor:
    Stage: 3A
    Grade: 3
    ER: positive
    PR: positive
    Her2neu: negative
    ki-67: 22%
    Mastectomy or Lumpectomy: Mastectomy
    When: March 20, 2007
    If Mastectomy, single or double: single
    Clean Margins?: Yes
    Prophylactic Mastectomy: Not yet
    SN Biopsy: yes
    Sent. Node Positive or Negative: positive - micromets
    Axillary Dissection: yes
    How many nodes were removed: 11
    Positive Lymph Node/s: none
    If yes, how many were positive:none
    Reconstruction: yes
    If yes, what type: expander
    Chemo: yes
    Chemo started: April 19,2007
    Chemo ended: not yet - October 25, 2007
    What type of chemo: AC - 15 weeks, Taxol 12 weeks - trial
    Radiation: yes
    Radiation started: not yet - not sure when
    Radiation ended:
    Tamoxifen: I believe so
    AI, (Arimidex, etc.):
    Herceptin: no
    How was your bc discovered: Found in the the shower
    Did bc show up on Mammo?: No!!
    Did bc show up on breast MRI?: yes
    Did bc show up on an US?: No !!
    # of B9 biopsies prior to DX: none
    BRCA 1&2 status: Not checked
    Lymphedema: no
    Tumor Markers?: no

    Specific notes, complications, remarks, etc. re: your DX, treatment or current status:

    Huge tumor did not show up on mammo or US - very discouraging. Planning to have prophylactic mast on right breast when all this is over.
  • conniehar
    conniehar Member Posts: 585
    edited July 2007

    Thanks Laura for offering your r/x. I'll let you know - I want to wait a few weeks to see if it clears up when all this is out of my system.

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 4,011
    edited August 2007
    Hi Girls -
    Just wanted to check in with my IL gals...hope you are all doing well...wish the best for each of you each and every day...
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 2,728
    edited August 2007
    image

    Im working 2 jobs now. I have been so neglectful of this thread and just wanted to pop in and say hello.

    Nicki
  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited August 2007
    I'M FINISHED WITH CHEMO....and yes, I am shouting!!!!!
    Tears actually rolled down my face as I walked out the chemo room door, but they were tears of joy. I meet with the oncologist next week to discuss the Arimidex and other related things, or perhaps additional tests that I'll need to take. I can't believe it is over. Now I have to tackle the transition between total involvement in bc and freedom from treatments, etc. They gave me Lance Armstrong's materials when I left...LiveStronger. It's a notebook for cancer survivors and looks really good. It was free at our cancer center so maybe some of yours have it, too for the asking.

    They also gave me a different anti-nausea medication today so maybe I will avoid some of those ever famous side affects this time.

    See ladies...I'm proof that the jouney is long, but you can make it. I was such a wimp through all of this!!! Those of you who are still doing treatments, hang in there!! There is an end.

    Nicki...so glad to have you back! I have missed you!!!!
    Connie, thanks for posting your stats. You're getting there, one day at a time. My heart goes out to you. You are MUCH too young to have to deal with this. You are a true inspiration!!!
    Everyone have a good day!

    Rita
  • Mich101
    Mich101 Member Posts: 489
    edited August 2007
    Rita-congrats on finishing your chemo. Hoping you feel better everyday!

    Connie- Hoping taxol will be smooth sailing for you. I just finished mine and did not start feeling any neuropathy in my finger tips until the last couple of tx. It's weird though that my hair started growing back on taxol, but my eyebrows are now falling out!

    Hello to everyone else. I'll try to fill out Laura's form in the near future.
    Michele
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 4,011
    edited August 2007
    RITA -

    image
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 4,011
    edited August 2007
    OMG - THIS IS SO COOL!

    I just received a call from the president of the Chicago chapter of the Susan G. Komen foundation, and she asked me if I would like to participate as a model in a fashion show that Ann Taylor puts on every year! OMG - it's at the Michigan Avenue store, and she said I can keep everything that I wear or model! The first thing I said to her was...is it okay that I'm not as tall as models? She laughed...and said the only requirement is you have to be a survivor. She chooses 12 survivors every year to participate. I am so flattered and touched and shocked...I came to know her because registration for the 3 mile walk that I want team:No Surrender to register for is not open yet and they were supposed to be up and running by July 1. I sent her an e-mail saying that I was anxious to register because I am a survivor and I was anxious to start my team and asked when reg. would be available. She said their volunteer computer person just simply vanished...leaving them stuck. But any ways, reg. is now up and running and I will be registering my team by tomorrow.

    I have to write a short bio of myself and submit a photo. The photo is needed so they can determine whether to have me model Ann Taylor Classic or Ann Taylor Loft clothing. I am already nervous, but plan to take a mild sedative prior to SHOWTIME! LOL

    OF COURSE, I asked if she needed any more survivor models, and she said she didn't, but would let me know if that changed...

    ---------------------

    Be well girls.

    ---------------------

    Nicki -
    Two jobs? Huh...what's that all about? Your energy is amazing...I want to party with your family again...LOL where and when? You're a party pooper..LOL
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 4,011
    edited August 2007

    oops...I duplicated this post.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited August 2007
    Wow Laura! That's really exciting! And so neat that you'll get to keep the things that you model. It's so great that some of our own Illinois gals are getting honored in special ways!

    So much for the new anti-nausea meds that were supposed to solve me nausea problem. I was hanging over the toilet by 6:00 yesterday. I think the just plain constant nausea feeling was actually better than this. Oh well, in a few days I will be feeling better and moving on with my life.

    Ginny...as soon as I get through this "icky" time, we need to get together and get caught up. I hope you are doing well with the rads.

    I hope all you other Illinois gals who are getting treatments or rads are faring well also. Hang in there.

    It's hard to believe that the Illinois State Fair begins on the 10th. Do any of you come down for this? I think it runs through the 19th. This doesn't happen to be when your company is going to be here, does it Kate? He'd be sure to like the fair with all its ag exhibits, etc.

    Well, I'll catch you all later.

    Take care.........
    Rita
  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Member Posts: 1,458
    edited August 2007
    Hi Ladies....

    I am as bad as Nicki...haven't been on the computer at all! But at least Nicki is gainfully employed...I just lay (or is it lie?) on the floor waited for my herniated disk to unherniate itself. But I had to write...Rita...YAY!!!! no more chemo!!!!!! EVER!!!!!! But I am sorry you are not feeling well, and you were never a wimp. When I first joined here and started my journey you were quite the inspiration.

    Laura...a model! You are such a beautiful girl, inside and out that I can't imagine them NOT choosing you! Hopefully if my back ever gets better and I can actually sit in the Z maybe we can get up to Dockers and I will call you, OK? OH...I am a nurse and used to work for a gastroenterologist...I laughed my butt off with your story...yep, happens all the time.

    Kater...got your email. Glad you are doing better.

    Seems like everyone else is doing well. I'll do the form when I can sit a bit.

    Well....I am off to shower and to make my first trip to Jewel in 3 weeks. Funny how much money I can save if I can't get out to shop!

    Hugs to all!

    Oh....BRAC testing was negative so I get to keep my ovaries and boobies, well, at least for now!
  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Member Posts: 1,458
    edited August 2007
    Forgot...still have chemobrain...

    Rita...Just took my first arimidex last night. Onc was going to Femara but with my back right now he wants to try itthis way first. I will keep you posted on any side effects. I really didn't have any from chemo and nothing happened during rads so I guess I am due for something bad to happen!
  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited August 2007
    Wendy...no, no no!!!! Think positive. You will continue to do fine with the Arimidex. Keep me posted. I'm only about a week behind you on this. We will share our "war stories" about it! :-) Hope your back is feeling better.

    Rita
  • zap
    zap Member Posts: 1,850
    edited August 2007
    Dear Wendy and Rita:
    I wish I had never mentioned the bad vibes about arimidex. I am doing fine on it and have been on it for 6 months. My feet hurt when I stand up after sitting and I look kinda old and wobbly for a second while I get going, but I do get going and then they are fine. My onc told me that of all the treatmenst (chemo and rads) the arimidex was giving me the best shot at beating this thing. The chemo and rads were needed to get the cancer out of me, yet arimidex may have the power to prevent a recurrence. I just believe that! So if I hurt a bit, so what!

    Rita, congratulations on completing your treatment. I hope that nausea is going away.

    Laura, wow, now you are modeling! That is cery cool! I hope to join your team for the breast cancer walk. Perhaps I should do some power-walking now and try to rid myself of some pounds.

    Meanhwile, I just got me letter from my school and my summer vacation is nearing an end. Back to the 8th grade again.

    Here are my stats. As you can see, I am not as knowledgable as you are and I do not know what some of those things mean. I am also wondering why I had fewer chemo treatments than you ladies. I guess I need to trust my docotr, which I do.





    Name: Susan
    Age at DX: 58
    Date of DX: August, 06
    Which breast: left
    Type of Biopsy for DX: core biopsy
    Type of BC: Paget’s Disease of the Nipple, invasive ductal

    Size of invasive tumor/s: 3.9 cm
    Stage: 2
    Grade: 2 (histologic)

    ER: I know it is ER positive, yet do not know the percentages. I guess I have some homework to do.

    Her2neu: I do not know

    ki-67: what does this mean?

    Mastectomy or Lumpectomy: Lumpectomy
    When: Sept. 4-2006
    I
    Clean Margins?: No, went in for second try.
    SN Biopsy: yes
    Sent. Node Negative

    How many nodes were removed: none
    Positive Lymph Node/s: none
    Reconstruction: no
    If yes, what type: n/a
    Chemo: yes
    Chemo started: October 06
    Chemo ended: December of 2006
    What type of chemo: taxotere and cytoxan
    Radiation started: January 4, 2007
    Radiation ended: March 3, 2007
    Tamoxifen: no
    AI, (Arimidex, etc.): yes
    Herceptin: no
    How was your bc discovered: MRI and core biopsy (dermatologist)
    Did bc show up on Mammo?: no
    Did bc show up on breast MRI?: yes
    Did bc show up on an US?: not initially, second time around it did.

    BRCA 1&2 status: Due to be tested
    Lymphoedema: no
    Tumor Markers?: no

    Specific notes, complications, remarks, etc. re: your DX, treatment or current status:

    I had mammograms every year and it never showed. I had a rash on the nipple and the nipple later was inverted. Went to three doctors. All gave me creams. Went to BC surgeon and she did a core biopsy. No cancer (October 05). Rash continued and started to itch something fierce. Went to a dermatologist (August, 06). She did a Core biopsy. Found cancer. I walked over the office of the BC surgeon and told her I had cancer! Still no trace on mammogram. Ultra sound inconclusive. It was right behind the nipple and I have dense breasts. MRI showed it. It has always been unclear why the first core biopsy did not show the cancer 10 months before the second one did show cancer. The thought is that the tumor was so dense that the needle could not catch cancer cells. The mammogram and the ultrasounds were negative, so no cancer. Then 10 months later, the itching and rash got worse and the dermatologist was able to find it. AAAAUGH.
  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Member Posts: 1,458
    edited August 2007

    Name: Wendy
    Age at DX: 53
    Date of DX: 11/24/06
    Which breast: left
    Type of Biopsy for DX: Excisional
    Type of BC: IDC and DCIS
    Size of invasive tumor/s: 1.5cm
    Size of in-situ tumor: teeny
    Stage: 1c
    Grade: 2
    ER: positive
    PR: positive
    Her2neu: positive, amplified at 11!!!
    ki-67: not done
    Mastectomy or Lumpectomy: lumpectomy
    When: 12/8/2006
    If Mastectomy, single or double:
    Clean Margins?: Yes
    Prophylactic Mastectomy:
    SN Biopsy: yes they tried but couldn't find it so had 7 removed from same lumpectomy incision
    Sent. Node Positive or Negative: all 7 negative, no vasc. invasion
    Axillary Dissection: no
    How many nodes were removed: 0
    Positive Lymph Node/s: none
    If yes, how many were positive:none
    Reconstruction: no
    If yes, what type:
    Chemo: yes
    Chemo started: 1/26/07
    Chemo ended: not yet - 5/9/07
    What type of chemo: Taxotere and Carboplatin plus Herceptin
    Radiation: yes
    Radiation started: end of May, can't remember exact date
    Radiation ended: 7/18/07
    Tamoxifen: nope
    AI, (Arimidex, etc.): started Arimidex 8/2/07
    Herceptin: yep
    How was your bc discovered: Found in the the shower
    Did bc show up on Mammo?: No!!
    Did bc show up on breast MRI?: no, as I already had it out via bx
    Did bc show up on an US?: sort of...radiologist just couldn't figure out what it was...was the calcs that concerned him
    # of B9 biopsies prior to DX: none
    BRCA 1&2 status: NEGATIVE!!!!
    Lymphedema: no
    Tumor Markers?: no

    Specific notes, complications, remarks, etc. re: your DX, treatment or current status:

    --------------------


    Post Extras:
  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Member Posts: 1,458
    edited August 2007
    Oh Rita.....just a thought for you. Last 2 nights I took Arimidex at bedtime as was suggested due to possibility of nausea. Last 2 nights woke up with slight nausea about 2 am...7-up and a few saltines took care of that and I went back to sleep. Maybe the empty tummy at bedtime was a bad idea, so I will try tonight after supper.

    I was only kidding about getting se's from these drugs...it's just that I seemed to breeze thru all tx so far I was due for something....maybe my slipped disk is my payback for being the post child for chemo and rads.

    OH.....ladies....my hair is growing back quickly, even on the herceptin. Eyelashes and eyebrows look even better than before. Still look a bit like a chia-pet tho. But at least my dh no longer calls me baldy or fuzzy...now I get "Stubbles".
  • nanc512
    nanc512 Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2007
    Hello Illinois ladies:

    I am still around, my MRI is Monday. I talked to my onc last week because I thought he would want to change my appt with him, which is scheduled for Tuesday. It was supposed to be a follow up from the last surgery and our appt to go over chemo. Since that surgery hasn't happened, I figured he would cancel it. But, he wants to see me so we can go over what we have so far. I need to get the last path reports. I don't know the ER/PR stats yet. He told me to get my list of questions ready. I have seen him once and he has me pegged. I got Ativan from him to take before the MRI. I am not sure I need it. I am very claustrophic. They said I lay on my stomach and go in feet first, but my head is out. I can't get a visual of that, so maybe that's a good thing. :-)

    Other than that, I am working and making crafts like normal. One of my brothers is coming in Wednesday and will be here for over a week. I was hoping to have surgery while he's here, so he can help with mom and my son. But, my surgeon is gone next week. Not sure if they will schedule it when he is gone and I can have it on the 13th. We will figure it out next week.

    Take care everyone and have a wonderful weekend. I keep you all in my prayers.

    Nancy
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 4,011
    edited August 2007
    Wendy -
    You brought me to tears...I sooooooooooo remember the hair growing back...it's an incredible sign of positive things to come! It's a new beginning! And yes, I too hope your back gets better so we can meet at Dockers! Even though my Goat has been in the "shop" for the past 2 weeks getting a new throttle body installed! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh...I want to race it sooooooooooooooo bad! LOL Good luck with the Arimidex. Another nurse here...such an admirable career!

    Susan -
    Walking is one of the best things you can do for yourself - and it's free! LOL I joke about that all the time. Try not to think of it as exercise...think of it more in terms of longevity! (sp?)

    nanc -
    Good luck with the MRI - I am very claustrophobic and totally freak out if I don't take a tranq. Fore-warned is fore-armed! Let us know how your Onc visit goes.
    ----------------------------------

    Girls -
    I registered my team...it's called No Surrender. Unfortunately, there is a delay at their end creating the team log-in page. But as soon as they contact me with the linkie...I will post it here.

    IMPORTANT: there will be a Survivor Tent there that opens at 7:00 and they will be serving us "survivors" breakfast until 8:00 (the actual "walk" starts at 8:30 and there's a group survivor photo that's taken at 7:45 - it's of every survivor at the walk - it's a really big photo -LOL). Last year my dh and friends just hung out outside of the tent while I - of course - talked to just about everyone inside the tent! LOL I'm soooooo weird! LOL So anyway...if you have family or friends with you...no problem...they will just hang out while you are pampered - and there's plenty of booths for them to go to as well. I think it would be great for our team to all meet by the Survivor Tent.
    As soon as they create my team page, I will give you all the groovy details...

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.