Class of 2009 - Sisters in the same time frame
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yes it is seafood but it is the only fried fish I will eat. It has a very crucnhy coating on it.
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Remember Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips? Terrible! Long John Silver's is much better! None around here... in fact we have very few fast food places nearby. Love a frosty from Wendys but have to drive about 30 miles round trip to get one :-(
pam
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You know wer'e all doing better when the topic of conversation is fast food seafood.
I got a bit carried away a few days ago and did a lot around my house, have been paying for it since. Saw the Oncologist today and was told it'll be awhile before I can keep that up. To bad I really enjoyed it - cooking, cleaning, even ironing. Ha! who knew I'd like those things so much?
How did you all get the additional notes etc. ( ie - "Nobody told me there'd be days like this....") on the information paragraph above your dx stats? Can't figure that one out. Couldn't even find a place to put the fact I had a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy.
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Let's see if I got this right. It took me a long time to figure it out to.
Go to your home page. Click on Edit profile under your avtar-picture. The very last line is the signature line. Put it in there.
The last time I changed it, it took a day or two for it to show up.
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Oh and yes I am finally feeling better. Thank You Tamoxifen for giving me my desire to eat back.
I gained 6 pounds at the beach. Must learn to control my own brain. lol0 -
"The good news is I gained 6 lbs; the bad news is I gained 6 lbs." :-)
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hi everyone, Im not a big poster on sites but I've felt lately I need some support from people who know exactly where I'm coming from. I was dx'ed in october of 2009 after a self exam where I found a lump at 12 o'clock on my left breast. I had the mamo and biopsy to confirm. Followed by lumpectomy. Had BRCA and Oncotypy dx done , negative on BRCA and 13 on oncotype. Onco wanted me to do chemo but after 2nd opinion and respected hospital that specializes in BC I opted out and did rads. Been on tamoxifen since feb 2010. havent had a period since march. I have some se from Tamixifen such as leg pain, fatigue, and weight gain. but not to much. had a check up with oncologist said everything looks good. Go back in sept for mamo and exam and I am working myself into a frenzy. I have had some pain in my left breast but not sure if it could be from underwire bra? It seems like every little pain or discomfort has me worried that it's back!!I also worry about making the choice of no chemo? I have great support from close family, husband and 2 daughters, 18 and 21. and my brothers and their families but I chose not to tell to many people, (extended family included) I dont really know why, I think I just wanted every one to treat me the same and not feel sorry for me. I'm not one that can handle people feeling sorry for me. After all there are so many people on this site that have it so much worse than I do, so how dare I feel sorry for myself over this! I should be thanking my lucky stars that its not worse. Right? I'm not sure if this is the right way to vent but I just feel like I needed to and thought maybe someone here feels the same way. I don't talk about it much, I just think about it more lately and dont want to worry my family. any advise for this crazy lady is greatly appreciated. Thanks Jamie
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Hi Dualgate,
You have come to the right place to find people who understand! The fear of recurrence is irrational and it doesn't matter your stage or grade or age or oncotype ... it is there. I know what you mean about people feeling sorry for you. I hate that feeling and am ashamed if, and I do sometimes, I fall in to feeling sorry for myself. Most of us were the "caregivers" in our families and it is both hard to accept help and harder to give up the role of being the go-to person in the family.
Today DH and a friend were moving a couple john boats from one house to another. It is brutally hot and there was a lot of pulling and grunting and heaving going on. And I was out there trying to help and feeling like a wimp that I wasn't.... and it suddenly occurred to me that the woman who had had breast cancer did not have to be helping! Would I let someone in my situation help? Of course not! Wow, that was liberating. I came in the house and made ice water for everyone. Maybe I am finally accepting the new normal?
Anyway, everyone here sure understands. Pour out your worries... we know them well. :-)
Pam
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Dualgate, welcome...first you are not crazy...We have all been through so many emotions this past year. I have no problem with people feeling sorry for me...as long as the bring me food and clean my house...works for me. I found that once I told people what I was going through it wa sso much easier than keeping a secret...but that is just me. We are a super supportive group of gals. We all feel scared when we have an ache or pain...I guess that is our new normal...
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Dualgate, welcome to our ever growing corner of the world. You just feel free to come here and vent anytime you want to, believe me when I say that we have all vented about something at one time or another. That is what we are here for... a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, give advice if you ask or just to be a friend when you need it. We have all been there and understand.
Well ladies, we leave on our much awaited vacation in the morning. We will be gone for 8 glorius days in the sun (I hope)
! Send safe traveling prayers our way and send some my grandpa's way that he will stay strong. We buried my MawMaw today, his loving wife of 66 yrs. It was much harder than I ever imagined it would be, but we all made it through and I wouldn't wish her back for anything. Well I guess I'm off to finish packing. DH says we are leaving between 3-4 a.m. tomorrow. 
It is an 11 hr. drive. 
See you all when I get back unless I can find a computer while I'm gone. Renee
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Dualgate - welcome, and your feelings are perfectly understood here. I lunched with a co-worker this week, his wife had a mastectomy, and just started chemo. While my situation was different, it helped him to have someone to talk with. At least, I hope it helped. It did help me to keep things in perspective.
I had a very uneventful visit with the med. oncologist today. Everything looks good, she was happy to hear about my mammo results, and I'll see her in six months.
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Jamie (Dualgate) -- welcome! I think it's natural to worry. For what it's worth, the pain in your left breast is probably from nerves regenerating post-lumpectomy (this will go on for awhile as nerves continue to regenerate). And I understand about not telling a lot of people -- I did the same and for the same reason. Not wanting people to feel sorry for me or see me differently. It's nice to not have to be Cancer Girl if you don't want to be. That said, it's also nice that some DO know as it feels good to share. It's a balance. And PJ is right that it's sometimes important to remember we DID go through something big and that we don't have to do everything we did before (we can do new things, like make ice water
Carol -- yay for the good mammo results.
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Jamie
I knew you'd get a big response from all the gals on this thread (board whatever you call it). I wrote one yesterday then lost it as I waited to long to submit it. Ha! as you can see I haven't posted much either but I will tell you this is a great group of women who will encourage you along the way.
My two cents worth on the pain - if it's worrying you, try to have your mammogram moved up. Just call and ask, and if it's not possible, ask to be called if they have a cancellation. Never hurts to ask. And I had a Lumpectomy in Dec. last year and still have some pain when I over do it (working around the yard - house etc). Same goes for under-wire bra - have had soreness after wearing it too.
Does anyone know how long it takes for your energy to return after Chemo? I take one step forward and three back. I'm just about two weeks from last tx and cooking dinner wears me out.
Carolyn
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Oh My gosh!! Thanks you all so much for your responces! what a great place to be. I feel so much better now that I have read all your advice. In fact Im wiping happy tears off my face for the kindness you have all shown. I seem to do that when im on this board. most of the time its tears of relief. I think I tend to let things build up and when I read on here that someone else has the same fears and uncertainities it makes me feel part of a group that can help without all the other stuff that goes along with telling family. Thanks again to all. You are all great women !!!!!! I truely mean that! Jamie
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Hi All!
Haven't been on much lately, been in house painting hell most of the time. We are repainting the exterior of our home, and it is so much work. I have been working my butt off and I have also been a very bad girl and not wearing sun screen. My hand is constantly swollen from over working. But, the work has to get done, we are doing this ourselves.
Jamie~ Welcome to our group. I am glad the other ladies got a chance to respond to you so quickly and I am sorry it has taken me so long to welcome you. My DX was similar to yours and I also chose not to do chemo. I know I made the right choice, and you need to believe that for yourself also. The fear of recurrance is something we will all have to live with, whether we did chemo or not. Butm just know that we are here for you to vent, cry, laugh, whatever you need.
Renee~ My prayers are with your family upon the loss of your grandmother. I hope you are all doing well.
Hope all the rest of you ladies are doing well and are having a fabulous day!
Hugs
Jen
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Jen make sure you allow some time to rest after your painting job is done. I did a bit too much earlier this summer and paid the price for it. Now I know to allow myself a day of rest after I do my heavy duty chores!
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Hi ladies - I'm breathing a sigh of relief here for a clear mammo last week, whew! And believe it or not, I actually almost forgot about the 10th being my cancerversary until the evening. It's almost unbelievable how much life has changed in the last year. Especially in the last few months, I'm not consumed by thoughts of cancer as much any more. The worst reminder, besides the scars, are those darn hot flashes I've been getting multiple times during the day. My onc prescribed gabapentin (Neurontin) for the hot flashes. Anyone else tried this?
Hope everyone has a terrific day!
Big hugs,
Shelby
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YAY for you Shelby!!! So happy to hear your mammo was clear! Good for you that you are doing so well that you didn't get consumed by your cancerversary! Every little victory like these are to be cherished! Congrats!
I had a little victory of my own last night. As you all know I am a Black Belt in TaeKwonDo, and this past Saturday was black belt testing. I wasn't able to attend since we were out of town, but I had submitted my paperwork to test. I was only "tip testing" which means I already have my 1st degree, and there are 4 tips between degrees. So after I get 4 tips I will test for 2nd degree, anyway I was testing for my 2nd tip. And, to make it even more nerve racking I haven't tested in 2 years and I had to private test with Grand Master Cho, who is the owner of the school and very respected. So, last night, I tip tested with GMC, and while I can't say that I "nailed it", I did pass and earn my 2nd tip. This is a huge accomplishment for me, considering last year I was still healing from surgery number one and looking forward to surgery number two. He was pretty easy on me, but I worked my butt off! Then after that, I stayed and did regular class. Needless to say I am pretty sore today! But I feel so good that I was able to do that.
Hope all of you ladies are having a great day today! It's a hot one here in Chicago! Heat index of 105 F today!
Hugs
Jen
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It is so good to read about good things going on in everyone's lives! Congratulations on good reports and good tests of every kind. :-)
How is the painting of the house going?
pam
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Thanks Pam~ The house painting is coming along slowly but surely. We are all scraped, sanded and primed on the bulk of it. Now we are doing the tedious work on the window frames. Hopefully we are ready to paint by this weekend. I am anxious to get it done! I know it will look a million times better!
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YAY -- Shelby, so encouraging that your doing so well!
Have heard of the Neurontin helping, keep us updated on how that works for you. I hate the hot flashes even though mine are more like warm ones at this point. I can only imagine what they'll be like when I start the Tamoxifen.
I've been trying to get some information on how long it takes to regain your energy levels after chemo. I start rads in a couple of weeks and am still so tired from the chemo.
Jen - wow a black belt - I did not know this, very impressive. There are so many inspiring women on this forum.
Blessings, Carolyn
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Wow... what a big job. What color will you paint? We painted a few years ago but decided it would be easier to stick with the same color. Very pale blue, white trim. Boring. I thought about a strong periwinkle blue but chickened out. Living in Florida, anything goes. In our little beach town the trend is to use bright tropical colors but that can be risky. A new house just was painted a bright tangerine orange! It's going to have to grow on me. They say you are not a Floridian until you have lived in a pink house :-) A few years ago everyone painted yellow. So many possible shades. My favorite house in town is a deep burnt orange. Sounds bad but looks really good.
Don't work too hard.
pam
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Shelby ~ Congrats on the good news regarding your mammo. Woo HOO, and glad your Cancerversary has come and gone. Hoping you have a great year.
Jen ~ You go girl, getting your tip on your black belt. That is wonderful ! You should be proud. Don't overdo it with the painting and all. Take your time.
Carolyn ~ they say whatever the amount of time chemo/rads takes, give yourself the same amount of time to regain a sense of normal. I will say for me tamoxifen zaps some of my energy but for the most part I feel much better. Be patient with yourself.
HI Pam and everyone else...
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Jen-so on FB I saw the business about tip testing & I thought (not knowing about the different gradients between belts) that you were all nervous about calculating tips for some reason. Duh! Next time I'll ask
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Wow, so many great things happening to us all...such a change from last year.
Congrats Jen and Shelby....you ladies rock.
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Life has been very busy here in Texas over the last several weeks. It seems that I just don't have time to do all the things I enjoy and one is getting on here every night and read the posts. I was out of town over last weekend and had my 1 year old grand daughter and I have spent all week trying to rest up.
Jen, you go girl. What an accomplishment to be a black belt.
Shelby, good to hear about the good reports.
I went to the doctor today and got only good reports. GYN and mammo on the bad breast. All is well. He did want to change me from Arimidex to Evista. I am beginning to have SEs and boy do they hurt. My hands freeze up at night and I wake up with such pain when I try to move them. It takes several minutes in the morning to get them unlocked. They feel as though they need to be oiled. My feet are also hurting. These SEs have just started in the last several weeks. I have been on Arimidex for 5 months. I am going to call my Onc tomorrow and talk to her about the switch. I don't want to do anything with out her knowing, since she is the one directing my care. I have been reading about the Evista, but can't seem be sure that it is what I need to do. I am so scared to make changes. But the SES from Arimidex can be pretty bad.
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Juanelle,
So sorry you are suffering the worst Arimidex has to offer. Do you read the Arimidex side effects thread? The women there make lots of suggestions for coping... and lots of sympathy :-) But what you are experiencing is classic. I think my worst SEs kicked in about 5-6 months in to taking it. Aleve helps me a lot, that and exercise. Good idea to talk to your onc. I hope he/she has some suggestions.
Thinking of you......pam
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Good Friday Morning Ladies!
Pam- We are painting the house a shade of green. We are either going with Artichoke or Sage Moss, we are getting samples tonight to decide. The house was a battleship blue/gray. It wasn't hideous, but, the paint was pealing in several spots and it desparately needed a make-over. We are doing the trim in white with an accent color of a orangy brown. I think it will look real sharp!
Juannelle- I am so happy that you got good news on your mammo! But I am so sorry that your SE's from the Armidex are getting so bad. I am on Tamoxifen and lately I have had trouble with my hands getting stiff late at night and then in the morning they are very stiff. Hmmm??
Hope you all are having a great day!
Jen
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Juannelle - glad to hear about your good mammogram!! Sorry to hear you're having some side effects from the hormonal therapy.
Sherri
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Juannelle, I am doing a happy dance for you......
you ladies have got to check out the "you know you are a cancer patient when..." thread...OMG so funny.
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