Class of 2009 - Sisters in the same time frame
Comments
-
Aww Jen... thanks for the compliment. I don't feel very inspiring so THANKS! Sorry about your burn. I have heard the girls mention the silverdene cream for the burns. Maybe you should call your doctor. OUCH. I hope it heals quickly. Glad you got a nice card that made your day. Although I am sorry it made you cry, but hopefully it was happy tears mixed in them.
Hoping everyone is having a good a day as can expected on their journeys...... LET's KICK CANCER's ASS!!!!
Hugs ~
Alicia
0 -
Jen- call your rads onc and ask for silvardene cream it makes the world of difference..also i dont know if you saw my earlier post but the drs. also have a bandage that they can give you. I am not sure of the name but it sticks to your skin and actually helps w/ the healing by keeping an even moisture on your sores.
Hugs
0 -
Jen - you can also "air" the area. This is not too much fun as it is hard to walk around the house "topless". I was able to lie in bed topless for a couple hours each day to let the area breathe and it healed up within a couple days. These areas should be healed within 2 weeks out of rads. Take care.
0 -
yes, airing out the area helps. Since my area was under my arm, I would lay on my stomache at night and "air out" by putting my left arm up on a higher pillow...
0 -
Alicia, I am glad that I can help you, that is why we are here. We learn and then pass it on.
Echo, they made the drugs for a reason and have done so much research and know that they will help us. Other ladies have been Guinea pigs for the doctors to have the knowledge they have today, they sacrificed for us to have a better recovery. I know that this week for me has been much better for their sacrifices.
Carol and Jen, when I do diet, if I am going to break it, it will be for a really good hamburger. Takes me back to my childhood, when you could get a hamburger, french fries and a coke for 50 cents. That was a long time ago. It is always one of those really good childhood memories.
Jen, sorry you have a burn, sounds like you are getting some good advice to get it taken care of. Best of luck.
I finally bought a wig today. I have cried so much over my hair, that I am just plain tired of it. I know it will start coming out in the next week, so I am ready to take the plunge and get it buzzed. I may cry while it is happening, but I don't think it will be as traumatic as I was thinking. I will let you know.
I hope everyone has a great weekend.
Boos to everyone.
Juannelle
0 -
Hello ladies;
How is everyone doing? I hope everyone had a great Halloween and didn't get eaten by any goblins. I was a witch and we had a great time.
Got my hair buzzed yesterday, didn't think I would survive, but I did. I think I sort of look like Uncle Fester, but I don't think anyone would tell me that.
It was a beautiful day in Texas today and I went for a walk for one hour. It felt so good to be outside.
I hope every thing goes well for the ones having chemo this week.
Hugs,
Juannelle
0 -
Juanelle ~ I will be Uncle Fester with you in a few days. I am glad to hear you sounding ok. How are you feeling?
Tomorrow 2:30 my first chemo. We can do this together sistas~~
Good luck to everyone this week.
Hugs and Prayers ~
Alicia
0 -
Alicia, yes we can do this together sista. This has been the best day since my tx. This is post day 10 and I feel great. Hope I get to go back to work this week sometime.
I will be there with you tomorrow while you are doing your tx. It may get crowded, so get ready.
Hugs,
Juannelle
0 -
Juannelle, & Alicia, I just saw the onc. last week, and will have port placed this week. I guess the "fun" will begin approx. Nov 9?? I am to get 4 tx's of TC. Is that the tx you had Juannelle? About how long did it take for you to start losing your hair. I don't mean to sound noisy, but I just found this sight tonight, my computer was down for awhile, and I hope to find someone to chat w/ who is going thru the same thing. I am just starting tx after having double mast. Sept 4. I had a car accident Sept. 15 (after my follow up appt. w/ my breast surg) & I broke my back in the car accident. Sounds like a country song LOL. By this time I feel I want to get this done & over with!! Thanks for any info anyone wants to share. Elizabeth PS Alicia I am sending "GOOD THOUGHTS" for you tom. Please let me know how you do
) Liz0 -
Liz, I am doing the TC x 4 and my first tx was 10/23. I was not actually losing my hair yet. I just didn't want to wait until it was coming out by the handfuls. They say it can happen anywhere after day 12. It really depends on each individual. Losing my hair was so stressful to me, I was just ready to get it done. It was taking too much of my energy dealing with it. I feel much better now.
Sorry to hear about your back on top of all this, what a journey you are on. Stay with us and we will help you get through.
Hugs
Juannelle
0 -
Dear Liz,
1L is right. Day 15 is when it started for me too. It really depends on the specific drug you are getting (but Taxotere, Taxol and Adriamycin are all very similar in the timing of their action on hair follicles) AND your own hair's growth pattern. But trust me you will get a couple of days to decide when to buzz it off. I recommend buzzing it down to 1/2" first and then 1/4" after a few more days. The shock is less that way.
0 -
Alicia
good luck tomorrow. I will be thinking of you. My first treatment was two weeks ago and it was a breeze. I have had no major SEs. Think happy thoughts and perhaps it will be easy fo you too. Don't worry, ride out the first treatment and see what happens.
I did start to shed my hair in clumps on day 14. So I buzzed it off today. I must admit I actually don't mind it. It is a little cool on top, but I kind of like it. My husband still thinks I am hot. That's a good thing.
Good night to all
Michele
0 -
Hi Everybody!'
I must be getting back to normal as I actually have been cleaning house. DH never complains but things have really been piling up... ironing, paperwork, odds and ends drug out and not put back. I just have had no initiative to do anything. I would start a project and leave it half finished. What got me back on track? I told everyone I want to do Thanksgiving here this year. Can't have the kids coming and thinking I am loosing it
I just want to feel like life is back to normal and I am capable of putting out a great meal. I'll do a lot ahead... have a strategy. I do feel good at 8 months post DX and more than 4 months post rads. I think my body is getting used to the new normal that Arimidex creates. I am just not as strong. Yesterday a neighbor and I were pulling some oranges off a tree. She could do it... I just did not have the strength in my hands.
DD is coming from CA for a visit this week so I will get her to help me with some house projects.
I wish everyone would check in and let us all know where you each are in this journey. Alicia, I am so glad you found Juanelle at this difficult time. Elizk too... so good to be able to talk to someone who is a little ahead of you. Michelle, thanks for being here for them too.
Nancy, when does your trip start? It is a little cooler here. Highs upper 70s, low 80s, sunny and dry. Be careful if you go in the ocean... bad rip tides this past weekend. So just lay in the sun or in your chaise in the edge of the water. And soak up all that good Vitamin D!
Love to hear from everyone... what's happening?
Pam
0 -
micheleboots, or should I say "Dr. Evil," your avatar pic is hilarious.
0 -
Liz - Thanks for the good wishes... As if your BC diagnosis and mastectomy were not enough you had to suffer through that car accident. GEEZ... I hope you are healing well.
Michelle - I have to say girlfriend, YOU rock that shaved HEAD ~ woo HOO no wonder hubby still thinks your HOT, YOU are. Glad you had little SE's.
Juanelle - I am sure you are just as pretty with the no hair. Just think how quick our showers will be without having to take care of our bonnets. (trying to find a perk here..lol) Hope you are feeling good !!!
Jen - how is your burn healing? I hope it is getting better.....
Pam - You are like our light at the end of the tunnel...... done with your treatment and getting ON with life! I can imagine the house out of order. MINE has never been like this in my life. I have OCD tendancies... well guess what BC cured me of them !!
You will make a great Thanksgiving meal and enjoy the time with your family. Anyone else I missed... HUGS !!!!!!!!!!!
I will think of you all together with me as they start that drip to get rid of any bad suckers inside of me today! If you girls can do it SO can I !!!
0 -
Hi Everyone!
Thank you for the recommendations for treating my skin. I will see my Rad Onc today and I will ask him about the Silvadene and the patch. Yesterday I kept my bra off for pretty much the entire morning, that is the best I can to do "air it out". And it felt good to not have a bra on, surprisingly!
It is tender, but as long as I keep something on it, it feels ok.
Alicia, I am with you! Let's KICK CANCER'S ASS!!!! My thoughts are with you as you start your treatment.
Juannelle- I am glad that you took the leap of faith and did ok when you buzzed your hair. I am sure you are much better looking than Uncle Fester
Liz- Take care and I am sure you will find the strength to make it thru all of this.
Pam- You are such a strong woman! You inspire all of us that are just starting out on this journey and give us all hope. Alicia is right you are out light at the end of the tunnel
God bless!Hugs to all!
Jen
0 -
Just wanted to add myself to this thread and say hello to all you great ladies.
I had lumpectomy and SNB October 15, just got back from my post-op and am reeling from the path report. Good news was clean margins around my two tumours - although one area was close. Bad news is that of 4 nodes removed, 1 showed isolated cells and another micrometastatis (actually more than 200 isolated cells that combined are considered micromets > .2m and < 2mm). Surgeon is recommending full axillary dissection. Cancer is Grade 3 (histologic grade 9/9). And Triple Negative!
I have to admit that although I am normally a very optimistic person, I am feeling very low and very scared right now. I know there's a Trip Neg board where I can find a home, but just wish I didn't have to go there.... sigh
0 -
I finished 34 radiation treatments last Wednesday and wanted to let you all know about something my oncologist told me about Silverdeen SP? I had asked for it for the burning and blisters, turns out, she had to give me something else because I am allergic to sulfa and it is in Silverdeen. Just wanted to pass this info on. Congratulations to all who have finished and are finishing up!
Allie
0 -
Hey all, good idea to keep track of everybody!
First mammogram, no lump, hit jackpot!
1.7 IDC with one pos node.
Lumpectomy with bi-lat mammoplexy (reduction) on 10/13.
Nice to meet all of you!
0 -
I've only been gone since Wed...& it's taken me forever to catch up on everyone. Rather than try to point everyone out specifically, I'll just say, "Hang in everyone...hope whatever you're dealing with at the moment doesn't last too long." To those of you just starting chemo, I can't fully realize what you are going through...but it sounds like you've got the guts to see it through. I only hope that I would have been as brave as all of you are.
I had the best time with my 3 grandsons over the last several days. We went to a pumpkin patch & ended up bringing 19 home. I was quite surprised when they carved every last one of them all by themselves--minus the gutting. They looked cool lit up along their driveway on Halloween. These were small & medium-sized--not the huge ones. I held up OK during my visit, but am I ever tired once I've gotten home! Now I've got to get things ready to leave again on Thurs.
Pam--Hold onto that weather for just a little longer--please?!?! I just want to veg out in the sun soaking up all the warmth. Oh, yeah, the Vitamin D is a nice benefit. Doubt if I go very far into the ocean as I have a hard time walking very far without my walker, thanks to scar tissue after 5 back surgeries...but thanks for the warning. That's OK, I'll be satisfied just watching & hearing the ocean. I haven't seen the Atlantic in 2 years, so it's going to be a real treat!
Three weeks out of rads, & I feel pretty good. My breast has finally healed from all of the burns...still get tired easily, but I just take a nap...seems to help. Everyone says walking & exercising seems to help, but since I'm not very mobile, I have to make do with what I can.
Have a terrific Tuesday, everyone!
0 -
Luah--Sorry to hear about your blow today...hard to have to deal with, I'm sure. Stay with us here, too, & keep us posted on your progress. When do you have to have the dissection? Sending thoughts & prayers your way as you go through processing all of this latest.0
-
Dear Luah,
I am so sorry you are facing news that you were not expecting. I, too, have always been the ultimate optimist but this cancer business has shaken my foundation. It just seemed like there was something bad to deal with over and over. Every time I would catch my breath a new question would arise. I am due to have a PET scan in December because of a spot in one lung and I just know it is going to open a whole new range of tests and worries. I used to go to the doctor about once every 5 years! I've been to doctors more this year than in my whole life added together
I don't know what you face in the way of treatment, But there is going to be someone on this site who has been there- done that and will be ready to help you through it all. I have learned so much here and made so many virtual friends who understand how I feel. I'm not saying I couldn't have made it without them... but I wouldn't have wanted to try.
We are a supportive group... we may not be able to add to your knowledge but we are good listeners.
Pam
0 -
Dear Luah,
Not to worry. My pathology is similar to yours although my tumor was bigger. Historically, the prognosis for TNBC tends to be worse than other subtypes for the first 3-4 years but then we catch up with the rest of the crowd. High grade cancer cells respond very well to chemo.
Any questions PM me or post here.
0 -
Allie... thanks for sharing about the sulfa. I do think a lot of people are sensitive to it. Congrats on finishing your Rads. Now what are you going to do with all that free time?
SuzNY... Thanks for joining us. Are you facing chemo next? Are you healing from your surgery and how are you feeling?
Hugs to everyone and sending good vibes.
Pam
0 -
Luah... so sorry about your news. There are plenty of girls here who are doing GREAT! YOU can do this ~ I will keep you in my prayers.
I had my first chemo cocktail today. (I do feel almost drunk?!) 1st round of AC. I feel ok, just a headache ~
Hugs !
0 -
Alicia, congrats on your first tx. Hope all goes well for you in the next couple of days.
Luah, glad you found us and I know you have lots to worry about, but we are here to cheer you on. You can do this.
I got a good walk in today and I am feeling great. Go back to work tomorrow, just waiting to see how I will feel at the end of the day.
Hope everyone has a good week.
Juannelle
0 -
Juanelle and Alicia... You guys are warriors!!! I am so glad you have each other as those of us who have not had chemo cannot begin to understand what you are going through. Bless you both. My thoughts are with you. Don't overdo it, either of you. This is your chance to get a little extra TLC. For heaven's sake, if you can't take it easy now, when could you ever?
Pam
0 -
Pam,you guys that give us all the encouragement are the best. I am always amazed at how the brave women on these threads handle so much. I know, at least for right now that I only have to do 4 tx and 6 weeks of rads. The other women who endure so many months of chemo are my heroes. They are so courageous and strong and we all have the same goal, to live, and we are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish that.
Thank you Pam for starting this wonderful thread, so all of us could come together and share our experiences.
Juannelle
0 -
Juanelle ~ good luck at work tomorrow. You are so brave!! I am glad to hear you are feeling good!!!
I can't sleep, headache, woke up in a full sweat (is this chemopause already???) so thankful for the oncologist giving me ativan. I had some heart flutters and took 1 it is helping tremendously all gone! But I am not nauseous so that is a good thing.
Hugs to all...
Alicia
0 -
Thank goodness for the computer in the middle of sleepless nights!
I hope things improve with the light of day. Why is everything always worse at night? It seems so cruel that the younger the BC patient the more they have to go through in treatment. My heart is with you today.
Pam
0
