Chemo in Sept 08
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Hi Girls,
Genia, make sure you tell your surgeon when he does the biopsy that you need a big dose as it didn't numb last time, if you feel pain, tell them and they will wait a bit longer for it to work.
Good luck and try not to take the bitchy remarks to heart.
I have been thinking about the girls I know in Singapore and lots of them did have lumps show up on the followup mammograms and most of them were just fatty lumps or scar tissue. The fact that they got clear margins and did a double mast, means to me that you did all you can and will be fine.
Take Care Singapore Chris x
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I did the double mast - Genia's only had one so far and, on top of the biopsy on Thursday, she's having a mammo on Friday. But I'm sure that through the neo-adjuvant chemo, mast, radiation, herceptin, Tamoxifen and Aromasin....NO cancer cells can have survived. Rumor has it that her surgeon is a real "cabana man", so I think she just likes spending time with him...right, Genia?
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Genia, I hope you'll be able to get numb tomorrow...and that you get a good report...love you, praying for you, thinking about you, love you...
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Spring, if they don't have clear margins after a mast, they do sometimes use radiation to clean up. If I remember right (and maybe I don't, chemo brain and all), I think after the mast, Genia still had a cancer spot they were going to zap with rads. I'm sure the rads zapped it though.
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Genia, how did it go? Are you there? Thinking of you.
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Yes Jane....that's it. I love spending time with my Cabana man. You talk about gorgeous.......HE is gorgeous.
I saw the new Onco today. Now I have my biopsy tomorrow, mammogram Friday, and a bone scan Saturday. JANE....IS THAT SHIP READY TO LEAVE YET????? lol
I'm so scared of this biopsy......cause the other one was such a failure. I remember thinking....I won't have to go through this anymore. That breast will be gone.....and the other one will be gone soon thereafter. Little did I know......hopefully this one won't be like the other one. At least it's closer to the surface of the skin so he won't have to go so deep.
Keep your fingers crossed.......love you all.
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Hi Girls,
Jane you are right I was thinking of you, sorry Genia, it would be quite a challenge for the mammogram technician if you had had a double mast. I don't suppose I can claim delayed chemo brain can I? Keep thinking about those cabana boys and that will make you whole body go numb.
Thinking of you Genia, Take Care, Singapore Chris
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58 days until Genia, Juli and I are sailing away being waited on by cabana boys!!! I even found out that there is a scooter rental company that could have a scooter waiting for Genia at our room and would pick it up after the cruise if we need it. Then Juli and I won't have to push the wheelchair, we'll just have to race Genia to the end of the ship in her scooter!!!
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Jane Juli and Genia, you girls are going to have SUCH FUN! Can't wait to hear all the stories.
Have a good day ladies.
Singapore Chris x
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Hi everyone. Biopsy went as well as a biopsy can go. This one DIDN'T hurt. Well the numbing med did but the actual biopsy didn't. Sure nothing like the first one I had where I felt almost every snip. He thinks it is nothing more than scar tissue. Can't say for certain, but that's what he said. I hope and pray he is right. I'm very sore...lol....the numbing medicine should last long enough for the the place to be healed but of course it doesn't.
Just glad it's over with......
Jane...that's good to know about the scooters. I hope by then I will be walking without pain....but just in case......there's a backup plan.
Chris....I laughed out loud at your comment about the mammogram. I can't remember which of us have had mastectomies and which haven't.....except for Jane and that's because I talk to her all the time....and Spring because she just had reconstruction.
love all of you
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Genia - good news that it is probably scar tissue!
I think you and Jane and I should have scooters...wouldn't we look hilarious zipping around that ship!
I have great news... my ex finally got a job after 19 months of unemployment and I will get child support again after not getting any for a year. I am now working 4 part-time jobs, so I am ecstatic to say the least!
hugs
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Yaay Juli....maybe you can quit a couple of your jobs. The pic of us running around on scooters made me laugh.
My biopsy had kicked my lymphedema into gear. My arm is swelling tonight.....grrr
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Hi Girls,
Genia, I am sure your Dr is right about scar tissue, they can usually tell by the look of it.
Make sure you do some lymphatic drainage yourself otherwise you will have to have just anohter appointment with the specialist. I am sure you know that you must take action.
Juli, wonderful news about your ex getting a job, I hope that will make you life a little easier.
Have a good day ladies, Singapore Chris x
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This is good, Genia, hopeful so far!
I am smiling about you ladies on the cruise.
Julie, think you can dump one of the 4 pt jobs now???
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OMGosh......I was FUMING by the time I got my bone scan done today......and I will be calling the hospital public relations Monday morning.
I got my injection early today and had to go back to get my scan 3 hours later. The JERK that did my scan was the rudest person I've ever had do ANY of my scans or tests. He told me to get on the table. You all know how narrow those tables are. Well my arms had no place to rest by the time my fat body laid down. There was these plastic curved pieces on both sides of the table that my arms were SUPPOSED to lay down in. Well I didn't have room for them so there were my arms laying on these plastic pieces that were sharp on the edges. I finally asked him if I could put my hands in my pockets and he said yes. Didn't help much, because my elbows were then resting on the sharp platic thingys. Then he put this small foam piece under my knees and my back felt like it was going to break. I asked him if there was something else he could put under there to help my back and he told me that was all he had. My scan was 40 mins long and after about 20 mins I was almost in tears. I told him I was hurting so bad I didn't know how much more I could stand....and he said "Well....if we stop the scan now, your Dr is NOT gonna be happy because he ordered it and wants it done". I told him I didn't want to stop....but I was miserable and was there nothing more he could put under my knees.......again he said NO! When the scan was finished.....he walked over to the table and removed the piece of foam under my knees and just looked at me....waiting for me to get up. I moved one leg.....horrible pain. I moved the other leg....just as bad. I knew there was no way I was going to be able to get up on my own.......and he didn't offer in any way to help me. I finally said to him....YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO HELP ME UP!!! He finally stuck his hand out for me to hold onto to pull myself up. That was the only help I got!!! And I looked and he had my purse and coat in his hand like he was trying to rush me out the door. grrrrrrrrrr.....I'm still mad and that's been hours ago.
Ok done ranting.......whew
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WHAT A JERK!!!! Yes, I do hope you complain Genia! That idiot!
I am very sorry. You do not need this!
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My handome Surgeon on the right and my Rad Onco in the middle.......isn't he just the most gorgeous man!!!
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Genia- so sorry for your experience today. You should call Monday and complain and let them know that this kind of behavior is unacceptable.
Well Onco says tha Chostochondritis is common after rads and if I have had it before that he would expect that to be it. Responding to anti inflammatory meds and rest are also a good thing.
BP was good- everything else okay that i know of..AND(drumroll please) he says it's time to talk about taking out the port..SO once June comes and we mark 2 yrs I get the ok to take this sucker out!!!! Time to plan a big de-portation party...
Ladies- i can't say how much i appreciate your friendship, support and love. You have made this journey far more tolerable and held me up on days when i wanted to cash it all it..
I just wanted to let you all know that you are super special to me!
Have a great evening!!
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Hi Girls,
Genia, what a horrible time you have had. Please do complain so that it doesn't happen again to you or anyone else. It is over now, so after your letter, put it behind you.
I had an awful experience on Friday, I was at a coffee/jewellery sale in a friends house and ended up sitting next to a lady who does some kind of invasive beauty trreatments. I asked her exactly what she did and she pointed to my face in serveral areas and said "I get rid of things like that, that, and that". I said in a quiet and calm voice, I find it offensive to have the defects on my face pointed out like that, and I wagged my finger at her. She went mad and started shouting, "how dare you point you finger at me, what are you a teacher or something". I was horrified at her behaviour, as everyone in the room had by then turned around to see what the fuss was. I said yes I had done a lot of teaching over the years in a clam voice and everyone turned away and she was able to control herself. The conversation then carried on in a polite and friendly way. It doesn't seem fair to me to be verbally attacked and then attacked again for not liking it. I must have given some no verbal signs about how I feel about invasive teatments or something to have had such a shocking reaction. It quite upset me. Thanks for listening,
Lisa nice to hear from you and so glad that your port is coming out. That 2 year mark really is something worth waiting for. I love you "deportation" words. I agree, we all really appreciate the support we get from each other. It is important that we have some avenue to get rid of the destructive thoughts we all have from time to time.
I am running my first workshop tomorrow, it is the Vision board one and it is also International Womens Day, so have a good one ladies.
Take care, Singapore Chris x
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Hi Girls,
Just ran my workshop, it went well and we all had fun.
Hope you are all having a great International Woimens Day!
Singapore Chris x
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Genia,
When I have a bone scan, they put a foam piece similar to what we had when we got our rads. I also have a regular pillow under my head. For my arms, they have a kind of a thick strap that goes under my arms and then velcros on top, so that kind of holds them up. I'm probably not describing it well, but it helps hold your arms. It sounds like your tech was awful. Mine are always very friendly. Now the hospital admission staff is always difficult to deal with, but once I get past them, the hospital staff seems to go above and beyond. I actually had to ask for the supervisor on this last trip. She said that I didn't have pre-authorization, but my insurance doesn't have pre-authorization, and I had the dr's order. She kept pointing to her screen and pointing, and I told her whoever had entered it had made a mistake. She said I had to talk to my doctors office. I told her I didn't think my doctors office had access to their system to correct the mistake, and she agreed but said that the doctor had to call. She started raising her voice, so I asked to speak to her supervisor or whoever had entered it that could correct it. She finally got someone who said that I had to have doctors orders, I agreed and said the doctor had faxed the orders, and that there were copies right there. She agreed all was fine, so I passed the phone to the admissions person. It had gotten VERY heated, but I have to say, in the end, the admissions person apologized which almost never happens anymore. Seems we are all having difficulties these days.
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NO CANCER......got my test results today. B9 lump......arthritis in my bones.....and a clear mammogram!!!! WOOHOO.....I'm breathin easier! I still have to see the Rheumy for the bone pain I'm having.....he said it could still be long term side effects of the chemo........and some Neuropathy. I think it's more neuropathy than anything else. My fingers are getting to where they go totally numb. And I didn't know this until I read up on it.......but neuropathy can also cause leg pain too. But anyway......it's not cancer. And for that I am soooo grateful and thankful!
Colleen......this table had nothing to hold up my arms. I know what you are talking about....they use them whem I have CAT scans. Which reminds me......I need to call the hospital and report him. Haven't done that yet.
love you all......
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Yay!!! Genia! You go you Clear Girl!
Chris, sorry about that incident, holy cow. You were, of course, right in what you did.
Genia, do you take L-Glutamin? I took this during chemo and after to prevent neuropathy, and my osteopath still wants me taking it to "heal". Just a thought.
For now YOU BE CLEAR GIRL!!!! NED! Woop!
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Chris I was so excited to tell everyone my news I forgot to comment on that rude lady. Some people are just such busy bodies when they should be keeping their thoughts to themselves. I'm glad you handled it the way you did.
Yes Bev.......I am NED!!! And he dances well........
I haven't tried the L-Glutamine with this. I did order some Curcumin.....I'll let you know if it helps this arthritis any......lol. How long does it take before its supposed to start working?
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Genia - Doin' the happy dance for ya! Now we just need to get rid of the bone pain.
Seems like a lotta rude people out there these days. Let me at 'em! No one deserves any of that crap.
My computer is infected and it doesn't look good. I can still type my reports. but can't access the internet. Luckily, I can borrow my kids' computer.
Off to sleep...
hugs
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Genia, congratulations, I am so happy for you!
I couldn't get a connection all day, and not it is back it's time to cook the dinner.
Have a good evening ladies.
Singapore Chris x
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My onc put me on Aromasin instead of the Femara. We'll see how that goes.
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Hi Girls,
Jane, hope you are as lucky as I am on Aromasin, I haven't even noticed the joint pains as much lately and maybe one hot flush a day, definately manageable. Good Luck
I have been feeling a bit sad today, I want my Singapore life back, I miss my friends. I must admit I had such a wonderful lifestyle. I will tell you now, that I am doing everything myself, cooking, cleaning, shopping, ironing etc. and all in Dutch!
In Singapore I had a full time live in maid. She was wonderful, she was a philipino lady with 5 children back home and a husband to support, she was such a lovely girl and was devastated when I told her we were leaving and so was I, she wanted to stay with me until we were old and I wanted her to stay too. She was such good company, even though I spend most of the time on my own. Of course here in holland it is different, and I am a little lonely. It is hard to start over again, and again and again. I have started netwoking and working, but it is such hard work and requires so much energy to get out there and make it all happen again. I heard that our shipment arrived today, but we can't get our hands on it for another 4 months, it seems so long before we move into our new house. We would have been in temporary accommodation for an eigth of our total time here, four years. I can't count how many times I have moved house/county, probably more than 30, I am not suprised I got cancer!
I needed a little moan, thanks for listening. Dutch Chris x
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genia- i am so glad NED dances well- i can envision the girls chasing you as you zip around the ship on a scooter LOL!! I THINK the cruise is just what you need!
Chris- I know it HAS to be difficult to leave that lifestyle and your friends behind. It is a different culture, a different way of thinking AND singapore was the place where your support group was when you needed it most...grieving is allowed girlfriend..I know you will make the adjustment in time..HUGS
Girls have a great evening..spring feels so very close but this is teaser weather...waiting till april is sooo hard..
Love you all
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