Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
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kater....good to hear from you! Just think, you're on your last week of rads and will soon be a "rad grad." Won't it be good to get it done?
I guess I was lucky because all the rads did to me was cause extreme fatigue that last week or so. I have heard that lots of people have problems with nausea and aches and pains toward the end of the rad program, though so I think there's some correlation there that maybe the radiation oncologists don't like to admit or advertise. There 's probably a lot more things that we're never told also if the truth be known. So glad that you're about done! It gets to be quite draining. Will you have to do any hormone pills when you're done with the rads?
Rita
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Hi ladies -
Well, I met with my rads onc. today for the first time. Very nice man. I am to come back in two weeks for my scan so that they can get everything set. They are going to try to start me the week of Thanksgiving - if not then the week after. I will have 30 treatments. I was hoping to get this all done in 2007 just so I could start 2008 on a good note, but with all the holidays over the next two months, looks like I will slip on over into 2008. Oh well, no big deal.
Sounds like everyone else is doing ok. Have a great day!
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Well, I may not be Armidex but I just started getting the side effects
after I started. It could also be that I have this due to some toxins being released from the chemo.. Someone told me that could be the
reason for the soreness and acheness. But it's doable, I don't have to take a pain pill or anything. Just annoying...
Ginny
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Rita - Ginny -
Sounds as though you two had fun! Very funny...about the bathroom. Last weekend I was at a rest/bar on Fox Lake...the bathrooms were marked INBOARD and OUTBOARD instead of MEN and WOMEN. I am such the Betty White...I was standing there looking obviously confused, and this guy walked by and said...INBOARD! I was so embarassed...and of course, then it registered! LOL
BONE/JOINT PAIN SUFFERERS listen up:
When I first started taking Tamoxifen, I had the same complaint. It was very bad...but over time, about 3 -4 months, it lessened. So...please keep this in mind. Aleeve does help. (But then I went on Boniva and that caused even worse pain, so I no longer take it.)
Susan -
Thanks so much for taking the time to share that web-site with me. I will definately check it out and share it with Sydney, as soon as it's up and running. Thank you!
kater -
It's great you're almost done with rads...yay!
Connie -
Sorry you have to do it through the holidays. There's a very good chance you won't have any problems with it. I hope that's the case. Make sure you slather on the lotion they give you- several times a day if possible (but not b/4 each treatment, only after).
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Rita,
I'm supposed to take tamoxifen says oncologist. I intend to get ovaries out before the end of the year because my Mom was dx'd with ovarian cancer 1998 (2 recurrences 2001 and 2003)...as soon as I do that he'll switch me to Arimidex, I believe.
Question for anyone:
I have not done anything about appointments for 6 month mammo (quandary, is that the word? surgeon wants it done in Rush Chicago, no digital, so his people can read it, and local has digital and I'd rather go there). I guess I'll e mail the surgeon and ask if he will let his people just look at the films.
I also dont have ovary apptmt or colonoscopy apptmt. I had hoped to get all done this year so 2008 could be better than 2006 and 2007. smile.
Kater
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Fitzpatti,
Just letting you know that you are in my prayers. One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:13.."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." May God keep you in His loving arms as He does many of us. Later, Mazy
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Hi ladies, just checking in..I'm trying to do better about doing it..ha. I lose track of time in chat, especially when someone is there and hurting. Tonight it was just downright fun!!!
Rita & Ginny..that was my laff for the day.haha. Honestly sounds like something I would do..my head is in the clouds.ha
kater, i would want digital if it were me, spose to be better. And glad you are almost done with rads.
Connie I hope all this goes well for you. It will be so nice when its all done.
laura, I wouldnt have known the inboard/outboard thing either..ha
Talk to you later Ladies..May you have health, wealth and happiness.
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Patti -
I hope your pain is under control. Don't forget that we're all here for you. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
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Laura - I can't stop laughing about those bathrooms. It took me a minute but I got it before I read the rest of your paragraph. That is too funny. Thanks for the hints on the lotion. I sure hope I get through this with flying colors. I just don't want to be exhausted all through the holidays.
Has anyone heard from Pat? I know she had her appt this week.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
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Hi All:
Not to much new here. My leg is just fine now. I cannot expect you to remember my leg, of all things, but I was having leg aches and I wondered if arimidex was causing it. I have been heavy on the vitamin D. I do not think we will ever really understand all this.
How is Pat? I have not seen a post by her, yet people are posting back. Did I miss something?
Could someone tell me what happens with the chemo curls. My hair is still so curly and I have never had a curl in my life. A woman from school asked me when my hair would go straight again and I told her that even though it is my hair, I have no clue what to expect of it.
Hope all are happy today. I am feeling very lazy.
Susan
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Hello ladies,
Susan...check your Inbox for a PM.
Pat, I hope this week is alot better for you than last week. You are in my thoughts and I'm sending lots of cyber hugs your way! (((HUGS)))
Well, I had a very pleasant day. One of my friends and I went to Peoria to the ladies life style show at the Civic Center. What a great time we had! We got facials, manicures, lots of yummy (and some healthy) food samples, massages, and hundred of give-aways. I came home with a huge bag stuffed to the brim with goodies as well as hundreds of new ideas. Ginny, I can't believe we actually ran into each other there as packed as it was. Did you enjoy the day as much as I did?
Of course the riverboat is located right on the way home so we stopped off for a snack there and a little slot play. It was packed, too and really not much fun because you couldn't get any of the machines you like to play so we didn't stay very long.
All in all, I'm a little tired now. I'm glad we didn't have big plans for the evening. I think a quick meal out and the hot tub sounds pretty good to me.
And Kater..........2008 is going to be a MUCH BETTER year!!!!
Laura, I hope your niece is doing better. It is so hard to stand to the side with all your love and care and not be able to do much to help. It just eats away at the heart. Hang in there. After seeing you with your nieces at the Chicago walk, it's very obvious that you are a fantastic aunt.
I hope everyone is enjoying your weekend. I'd really like it to be just a tad bit warmer. I am certainly not a cold weather person and winter is not my favorite season. Are there any other summer people out there???
Catch you all later.
Rita
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Rita...I had a great time. We got a manicure which was fun. Also got a chair massage which felt real good. We stayed til it was over.
Just had to see Mr. Food. He was great and a big flirt. I got a pic of him and he autographed it. I got home at 5:45pm. Nadine and I enjoyed ourselves.
Hope the rest of you are having a great weekend.
Ginny
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Sorry ladies,
Did not mean to ignore you. I met with the new onc this week and he put me back into the hospital. The bed at the hospital was wonderful. It adjusted everytime I moved. He put out the call to hospice. Hospice said until I am done with rads (even though they are pallitive) they cannot help yet. I want to try and finish the rads. Moving around is slow and very painful. I am on a Duragesic Patch and have oxycontin or morphine for breakthrough pain. Hard to say what is breakthrough since it hurts all the time. The new onc said I should not be thinking of any more chemo as the CA involves too many body organs. My family and friends are being very supportive. I will close for now.....sitting in a chair is not fun.....Pat
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Thank you, Pat for sending that e-mail 8 hours ago! I am wondering if mother helped you. How lovely you are. I am thinking about you always. I wish I could be with you for a few minutes....in person....I wouldn't bother you with talk. I would just look upon you and admire you with every fiber in my body. You do make me proud.
Susan
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Pat - Thanks for checking in with us. I've been thinking about you all weekend...hoping you get some pain relief. You're tough...we're here for you.
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Pat,
You are in my prayers and my thoughts. I am so sorry you are in such awful pain and hope they keep it under control for you. If you ever just need to talk or whatever, feel free to call me..I'm on the list and home most of the time and there's no such thing as too late. Hugs to you and your family. Mazy
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Hey girls.....just checking in...
Pat....I think about you every day and hope that the meds are bringing you some relief. I don't understand why no hospice if the rads are palliative but I guess that is the way. I cannot feel what it is like to be in your shoes but know that I admire your strength and your ability in dealing with this. You have courage that I did not know existed. If I can do anything or you want to e-mail me or call I'm on Laura's list too.
Hugs to all you girls....and a very gentle but very big one to you, Pat.
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Hi all-back from Florida! It was 80-90 degrees, brrr it feels cold here. It will take me a while to catch up on posts.
Thinking of everyone and hoping you are all doing well. Enjoy the colorful leaves!
Michele
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Pat - good to hear from you. Sorry that you are in such pain. You are in my continued thoughts and prayers and I hope the pain subsides soon. Glad to hear that you have family and friends surrounding you.
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Hi gals.......
Hey it looks like we're in for some very pleasant fall weather this week. I've already walked my 3 miles outside today (and killing time right now so I don't have to tackle cleaning my kitchen LOL) and actually hope we might be able to get in an "end of season" round of golf on Wednesday.
I hope you all had a pleasant weekend.
Connie, enjoy your "holiday" between the chemo and the rads. The rads will go much faster than you think. Hopefully you will have very few problems with your skin and can soon close this chapter of your journey. For me, rads were much easier than the chemo but I smothered my skin with that cream they gave me and really "babied" that area. You will do just fine! And if they do go into 2008, it won't be for many days. Last year I didn't think I had too much to celebrate on New Year's Eve and certainly not much to look forward to during 2007. This year, I'm looking forward to starting a new year.
O.K. ladies, Mary Jane has made our reservations for our Chicago shopping spree for November 26th (Monday) and November 27th. We're going to be staying just outside of Long Grove and would be available for supper on either of those nights. Michele had suggested lunch, but we thought if we did supper instead, maybe more of you gals would be able to meet us. Michele had suggested the tavern there in Long Grove. Give us your feedback about what night would work best and we'll just get everybody's calendar marked. It would be fun to get a group of us together again for a meal and good conversation.
Pat, I hope you had a peaceful weekend! Like everybody else on this thread, I'm thinking about you and sending hugs and strength your way.
Laura...did you win your race this last weekend?
How about JanClare? We haven't heard from her lately. We need an update Jan on your trip and how you're feeling!!!!
Michele, what neat things did you do on your trip? I'm so jealous. I'm such a warm-weather person!
I hope all of you are doing well and have a good week planned. I think we'd better enjoy this weather while we can!
Rita
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Hi gals,
I just talked to Pat and she told me to share this info with you.
The pain is better. The rads to the shoulder area have helped but are now finished. She had to have two people help her get off the rad table before and actually got up and down with little help today. That was a big YEAH! She has 6 more rads to go on the sacrum and on November 7th they are going to start some type of radiation involving the other bones. She was getting a hospital bed today which she thinks will really help.
As long as she is doing radiation, hospice will not get involved. They were going to do some more checking into this.
She said to tell you all HI. She will post when she can but can't sit for very long in a chair, so it won't be very often.
Hey ladies! She's just one amazing Illinois gal!
Rita
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Hi Girls!
Rita - Thanks so much for updating us. You are really something else.
Pat - You know we're all routin' for ya!
Michele - Glad you had a safe and happy trip! I know it's brrrrr....being back here, but sometimes there's no place like home!
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I talked to JanClare today...she is doing okay. Very busy with work and med tests. But so far, her Gastro tests have come back clean! So...that's good news. She'll fill you in soon on all the other details. But wanted to let you know she is maintaining and being a tough Illinois gal!
I had dinner last Thursday night with Ann from Long Grove. It's always great seeing her and we don't "shut-up" for a minute! Right Ann? Hopefully Ann will be able to meet us all at the Long Grove Dinner Meet at the end of November.
Rita - One more thing...PM me with the hotel you're staying at.
Girls - Be well! Be tough! Be happy!
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Thanks for the update, Rita. I think of Pat every day and that was good news that her pain is getting better.
I may be able to make the Long Grove dinner. Good idea, as if it had been lunch I would be working. I have to check my hubby's calendar, but I'm thinking Monday might be better for me.
Glad to hear that Jan Clare is doing well. And I'm glad you had a good trip, Michelle. Florida sounds awesome right now.
I'm enjoying my "good" week. Last Taxol on Thursday!! Yippee. It's exciting, but I won't feel good until late next week when the side effects pass, so kind of hard to celebrate.
Have a great day everyone!!!
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Pat, I'm thinking about you!
Several times I read emails from all of you from the group and by the time the forum came up I was off to something else or forgot what I was going to say...so for now...
thanks for the info about radiation...I didnt know whether to buy another tube of biafine..I only have boosts this last week....the radiologist said i could stop biafene when radiation stops....i do have aloe gel....should i use all the biafine up? Any details appreciated!
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Long Grove, I was hoping to go, but Monday and Tuesday are the nights I take my uncle's caregiver for volleyball.
I can see why supper is better than lunchtime....for most.
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Yes, thanks, Rita! I am feeling better to hear that Pat is feeling better and the radiation and Hospice just makes sense.
I am hoping I can attend the dinner in Long Grove. I have a conference scheduled and yet, I would rather do dinner. Now that I am retiring next year, I am more at liberty to do what I want to to do. I just don't want to let anyone down.
Connie, I am excited you are winding up treatment. It is funny how the se leave with time.....just spending the time with them is miserable. It must be misery you cannot remember in detail as Iknow I was miserable but I cannot put my finger on what felt the worse. I know I slept a lot. How many days do you have to take off from work. I usually took one day off as I did it so my hardest symptoms were over the weekend.
Have a great day!
Susan
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Hi gals.
Michele googled the Village Tavern in Long Grove and it is closed on Tuesdays, but is open for dinner from 5 to 9 on Mondays, so hopefully Monday, the 26th of November will work for lots of you. Let's put it on our calendars for now and see how many we can get! :-) If we find that it just isn't going to work for most of us maybe we can look at going somewhere else on Tuesday evening, but Long Grove seemed to be a pretty central place for everyone.
I can't believe that I actually golfed today in just a sweatshirt! What lovely weather! In fact, I jam packed lots of things into this day. I bowled 3 games this morning, did grocery shopping on my way home from the bowling alley and then golfed 13 holes of golf. I know...I'm pushing it but I hate the cold, snowy weather that will soon hit us so...............LOL Tomorrow's supposed to be nice for most of the day, too and maybe end with some rain.
Anyway, I hope all of you enjoyed this very unseasonal weather!
Have a good day tomorrow! Hey Susan, do you dress up for school on Halloween?
Im heading for the hot tub and then my recliner. Catch you all tomorrow.
Rita
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Kater-I know what you mean about reading and then spacing out what all you wanted to say. I do that all the time.
How is your skin holding up? I had only slight reddening of the skin. I used the biafine until the end (I think) and then switched to a different lotion. I had my 3 week followup today and the rad onc asked me if I'm still using any lotion, and I had not for about 1 1/2 weeks, just because I did not think of it. He said I should continue with the Special Care lotion even though my skin looks fine.
Michele
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I also used the biotine the entire time I was having rads. Then my radiation onc told me to go to the drugstore and buy Cetaphil, which he thought was just as good as any prescription lotion he could give me. I still use it but as time goes on I find I'm not quite as faithful.
So I take it that your 3 week follow-up went well, Michele???
Rita
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Well I guess for $35 I'm going to buy a third tube of biotine just in case. Every single morning I had to DRAG myself out of bed to try to make the four hour deadline of biotine before radiation. I won't miss that!!
We buy crazy amounts of Cetaphil generic from Walmart lotion and cleanser..I suppose Rita, you meant the lotion...the cetaphil-- I read when I was 30 that it was good when you are dating a younger man. 8-)
so that should be good for all of us!! It is instead of soap and can be wiped off and the rest stays on for moisturizer. I like that because then we don't worry if any is left on like a soap residue for my uncle. His dermatologist recommended it and we have used it ever since and he has baby soft skin all over.
Thanks Rita and Michele... my skin is freckled and maroon on the shoulder and behind the shoulder (dr. agreed, it goes THROUGH you to do that!)....
and very maroon under boob.....and the boob itself is pretty red. but freckles only in the severely maroon parts....I"m getting a few shooting pains in underarm but nothing worth taking advil for.
I had sore "middle" part until they reminded me about aquaphor. My main ache is the bones after sitting at computer or sleeping...I told my Uncle's PT lady and my good friend, maybe i got this so I am to understand why my uncle groans when we get him ready for bed or naps...and she said no.... that's a little too much to teach me something like that...well from reading about aromasins (spelling) I guess i'm not fearful of the bone aches they cause...and maybe trying NOT to sit on computer chair 3 hours will help...someone wrote in Mamm or whatever mag that is, that they notice aches more after that, so it sounds very similar.
Long Grove
I might get my cousin to cover for me on that Monday night if that is the night chosen for get together. Or the caregiver will skip if he thinks I have something to do, we'll see!
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