Class of 2009 - Sisters in the same time frame
Comments
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Hi Nancy,
Vit D was in the middle of normal. It's hard to avoid plenty of sunshine here! I don't wear sunscreen as it irritates my skin so that probably helps. Always wear a hat though. It's impossible not to tan. Even my feet have strap marks from my sandals. I did have to have a suspicious mole removed but it was in a place on my back that never gets exposed... go figure? My onc said since she started testing for Vit D deficiency she has not had anyone test too low. Hope the lab knows what they are doing!
Juanelle, Good for the walk! And for the good sleep. Just what you needed.
Pam
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We have been having some strange weather in Texas for the last two months. It has been raining 5 or 6 inches a week, we are so water logged. We needed the rain, but it needs to stop awhile, so we can dry out. I think we have had about 30 inches in the last two months. That is a year of rain for our area.
Anyway, it hasn't left too many days to go for a walk. But today was beautiful. It is suppose to start raining again on Thursday, maybe we won't get 4 inches.
I am also in the middle of a house remodel and it can get noisy around here in the day. It will be so nice when it is finished.
Good luck on everyone's journey this week.
Juannelle
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Juannelle So glad you got out for a walk and are not feeling too bad. Hope you have a nice weather there in Texas today ~
Have a good day girls !
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Alicia, it looks like another beautiful day in Texas. I know I will get out for a walk.
Juannelle
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Juannelle, we usually get your weather as it moves east. This has been a rainy October here in south Louisiana.
Hope you continue to tolerate the chemo without too much misery.
Pam, I got a report yesterday on my blood work. Vit D level normal. Thyroid function normal. Total cholesterol high but ratio between HDL and LDL within normal range. That's the number my PCP looks at--the ratio. My HDL is good. Tryglycerides good. Can't understand why my total cholesterol is high when I exercise almost daily and do not eat a high fat diet.
So I guess I shouldn't take a Vit D supplement. I do wear sunscreen on my face and arms but not on my legs when I'm out in the sun for 3 to 4 hrs playing golf. Or out in the yard doing yardwork.
I wanted to make sure my weight gain isn't a SE of underactive thyroid function. Now that I know it isn't, I'll have to work on lowering calorie intake.
Welcome to all newcomers to our discussion forum. Wishing us all a good Wed.
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Good AM everybody,
Just got home from my morning walk and am cooling off (yes, it is hot today) with a glass of green tea, decaffeinated, and an Aleve. Pretty wild, huh?
Carole,
I'm not sure, can't quote the source, but think I read that Arimidex can raise cholesterol levels. It would be nice to know that the increase is explainable and not your fault. My friend who cannot take statin drugs has had really good luck with red rice yeast supplement. But it is related to statin and still requires some monitoring by her doctor... who was the one who recommended it.
I will get my cholesterol checked in January but am anxious to know it is ok. Always has been. In fact, when I had it done January 09 the numbers were fabulous and I was feeling quite smug, thought I would live forever. Then in February DX'd with BC. God knows how to make us humble
So, the Texas weather goes to Louisiana but it must turn north and go out through Georgia cause we are not getting any cooling off yet. Could use about a 5 degree drop in temp and about a 50 pt drop in humidity! Well, I will put up with it until after Nancy comes but then I am ordering some cool weather!
Hope everyone has a great day with only GOOD lab reports.
Pam
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Hi Again Carole,
I just looked at the Arimidex site and they do not mention cholesterol as begin affected by the drug. Sorry, I did not mean to mislead.
Pam
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YEEEHHAAAAAA, DONE WITH RADS!!!!!!!!
Bi-lat mastectomy.....check.
Chemotherapy......check.
Radiation......check.
Living long enough to see if it works.........priceless.
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ECHO: Congrats ~ Love your post ! Live each day to the fullest and I am hoping you have many many many many................priceless days ahead!!!!
Alicia
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Great post, Echo! A smile is priceless, too, and you gave me one! Good luck to you in all the years ahead.
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ECHO,
Congratulations what an achievement.
Juannelle
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Great post Echo! Congratulations!
Today I had one of those negative experiences meeting someone who hasn't seen you since diagnosis. She literally waved her hand to indicate it wasn't serious because I am stage 1. She said I could have waited another year to have my mammogram because my body would probably have taken care of it. This was so shocking because she is an RN and former colleague. I'm so steamed.
Tomorrow I see the rad onc and must decide if Accel Partial Bst Irrad (APBI) or traditional. Pray I make the right decision.
kay
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Watercolor,
If we could wait a year and our bodies would take care of it, then we certainly wouldn't be here. What was she thinking. Just makes your rub you head and go "Hmmmmmmmmmm"
I will pray you make the right decision.
Juannelle
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Good morning all,
Watercolor,
Don't you wonder what that person would do faced with the same situation? It is so easy to give advice or opinions when it isn't happening to you! But a medical person should know better than to make such remarks. It is part of the burden of the disease... to have to put up with insensitive dimwits.
Jaunelle,
How are you feeling on day 4 or 5... or is it 6? I am so glad your weather has cleared and you can get out. A nice day is so healing and restorative. I love living at the beach but the grey days are the worst. Three in a row make me seek out a mall where you can walk and not know if it is raining or shining. When is your next treatment? How are they getting along without you at work?
Pam
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Pam, I am doing great and today seems to be the best day yet. It is raining again today, but it is not cold, just yucky. My next treatment is on 11/12. I have done everything possible to side step the ses. I have done really good, but the fatigue finally got me. It just felt that I had a mild case of the flu, no nausea, no diarhea, no mouth sores, no rash on the bottom, so all is well.
I have decided to go and look at wigs today. I have been against it up until now, but 6 or 8 months is a long time to go without hair. So I will get at least one, I think my insurance will pay for most of it, so it shouldn't cost me that much.
They call me a couple of times a day, but they are doing just fine. Maybe they will learn just how valuable I am. (HAHA).
Juannelle
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Juannelle, I love your spirit.
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I start Chemo Monday , Juanelle. You give me such hope ~ I went for a wig yesterday, I too was against it. But for my kids sake when they have friends over and such I should try to look my best I figure to not scare anyone!
I got a cute one, shorter in the back longer in the front very similar to how I usually have my hair. It is not human hair ~ but looks good enough. Insurance covered it. I also got some terry cloth head covers to sleep in. It gets cold here in NY in the Winter ~ I hope your se's stay to a bare minimum Juanelle. Feel good and rest when you feel the need !0 -
CONGRATS ECHO!!!!!
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Nice to know you, Christine. Welcome to our group.
Way to go, ECHO! Best news of the day. Hooray!
The genetic testing people called yesterday with results - negative for BRAT and negative for P-16. Whew! This is good news. They always finish their conversations with a big "...BUT..." Yes, there is still something going on in my family history. We have no information about my particular mutation. I choose to think it is my very own, and God has it all under control. I don't know what the future will hold - but who does? This news is a blessing, and I am relieved.
The next decision is BMX or radiation.
For those of you post tx or getting ready for your next one, hang in there. Rain or shine, I hope you are all soaking in the good stuff and leaving the bad in your dust. Let's take this thing down and get on with the good life. Much Love, Mary
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Way to go ECHO
Michele
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My moto this week is "Living Chemically". Went for blood work today and of course my count was low, so they gave me a Neupogen, I will go get another tomorrow and then on Monday another test and maybe another shot. I am so sore now, that I had to take a pain pill.
I am restricted from the grocery store, movies, any large groups of people and snotty kids.
My emotions are running wild this afternoon, I have cried over a Facebook post and now I am crying over a movie. Just can't seem to keep them in check.
I just don't know what to do with myself. I guess it is part of the journey. We do not know what each day will hold for us, so each day is a new adventure. Enjoy life when you can, have a good cry. a good laugh, and love to the fullest extent.
Everyone have a wonderful evening.
Juannelle
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one-L- I am sending hugs to you.
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Juannelle, I am sorry today is not such a good day for you. You have had a tough week. Allow yourself to feel whatever you are feeling ~ Big hugs....0
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The bright point of the day today was that I wanted a really good hamburger for lunch. With the taste buds being as they have for about a week, I was ready for some grease. I also had an appointment with my surgeon, so while I was there I asked about a really good hamburger, that I could eat in the car, since they told me to avoid restaurants.
He directed us to a whole in the wall about 10 miles from his office. OMG, the patty was hand pressed, the onion rings were home made and everything tasted so good. I ate the hamburger, but just couldn't get all the french fries down. Everything smelled good also, it felt good to smell and taste.
Anyway since we have to go back to that area tomorrow, we are going back to THITW and try their Frito Chili Pies. Now I think it may just be like heaven. I may get indigestion, but I have pills for that.
Juannelle
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Hi Everyone,
The Class of 2009 is sure the face of breast cancer... we are experiencing a little bit of everything.
Congrats to ECHO! You've done it all! There should be some kind of badge of courage when a sister has run the gamut of treatment. And with her wit and grace intact.
Dear Juanelle, You must be feeling like a pin cushion. I am so sorry you are having to go through this and it must seem like every step leads to a new problem to overcome. I wish I could fast-forward the next few months for you. Remember the image of us all huddled around in the treatment room? We are still with you. If good vibes do help you should be feeling better fast.
Mary, They do always have to stick a "but" on everything, don't they? But overall good news YAH! What a choice: MBX or radiation. Did you ever imagine you would be facing these problems? And that you could face them so cooly and rationally. We've come a long way. Wish you did not have to make the journey.
Alicia, I think the wig is a good idea even if you never wear it. You'll have it as a security blanket I think it would be reassuring to me to know I had the option and would not have to go out shopping for it later if I changed my mind. Your "guys" look like they can handle any friends who say something about Mom's appearance! I love the arm around your shoulder in your picture. Bet they take good care of you.
I am thinking of everyone and wishing all well and good things.
Pam
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Pam, I am receiving the good vibes. As I take the first steps on this adventure, it will just lead to better understanding of what to expect in another 2 weeks. The unknown is always scary and now I know.
Thanks, for being such a good hostess.
Juannelle
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Juanelle... YOU are so helping me with the fear of the unknown. YOUR posts this week have helped me simply breathe ~ MONDAY I will join you on the chemo journey. YOU inspire me.
Pam... Thanks for pointing out my daughters arm around me. SHE has been my rock. NO doubt in her mind she says... YOU will be just fine mommy. She calls me her hero !
Mary... Good luck on your decision. I look forward to taking this down and getting on with the good life ~ HECK even just LIFE !!!
Hugs to all you great girls ! YOU ROCK !!!
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Juanelle, the whole idea of, "I can just take a pill for that" is so funny and TRUE for me now. Before BC I never took anything, maybe a few Advil for cramps, I can't even remember to take vitamins. When I started having heart complications from chemo they started me on all sorts of drugs...plus all the stuff to combat side effects from chemo. I was so freaked out about having to take all this stuff and terrified about the side effects from the drugs I was taking because of side effects from drugs, geez, talk about chasing your tail!
Then one day a very wise woman sat me down and told me that all this medication can't do it's job very well if it's surrounded by negative energy and that it will work so much better if I welcome each and every one of these pills into my body as my "allies" to fight for me...................hhmmmmm..........allies.......hhmmmmm.....OK.
At that point I had 16 prescriptions to swallow every day. I would pat each and every one of them on the butt as I sent them down the shute...."thank you little allies," I would say.
Today was the first time in many months that I don't have any drugs to take, ...well...except for the percoset and vicodin for the pain of all my skin under my arm bubbling off from radiation. BUT, I have grown to love the philosophy of "better life through pharmaceuticals." Tamoxafin here I come!!!
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Juannelle, I love a good hamburger. That little hole-in-the-wall eatery sounds like my kind of place! Hang in there.
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Juannelle, Hang in there! Sometimes it is the little things like a really good, greasy hamburger that can make a day a little brighter! I wish you many more "Hamburger Moments" in your journey
You are such a strong woman and I am blessed to crossed paths with you on this thread. Echo, Mary and Alicia- You are also inspiring women. I wish you all well.
I noticed today that I have developed some open sores from radiation and boy do they HURT!! I have slathered on some Neosporin and Aquaphor to try to get them healing.
I had the nicest surprise yesterday that I wanted to share with you all. You know how in the beginning you get all kinds of cards and well wishes, and then after a couple of months they sort of dwindle? Well, yesterday I got the most beautiful card in the mail from a wonderful friend of mine that really made my day! I read it and cried, it really touched my heart. In the face of all of this, other people move on with their lives and we are still here, still dealing. And it is nice when someone remembers that.
I wish you all well!
Hugs
Jen
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