Class of 2009 - Sisters in the same time frame
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YAH Jen!!! Love to hear good news.
pam
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Great news Jen!!
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Happy dance for you JEN !
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Thanks guys! It is wonderful to be able to share the good news with you all
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Hello ladies,
I've been MIA for quite a while, but that doesn't mean I don't think of you all, hoping and praying for health and recovery. I've been very busy with school, student teaching was an absolute joy but very time consuming. I'm in summer classes right now, preparing two presentations for the coming week as well as a research project for next month. I'm just glad I'm able to use my mind again, after the fog of chemo brain!
I had my port out last week, and it was super-easy and quick. I'm not exactly fond of the scar that is (of course) visible in my swim suit, but oh well. At least it covers my other scars! I keep telling myself, scar, or cancer, I'll take the scars thank you very much.
August will be a busy month, with 1-year mammos and my oophorectomy. I'm also going to a memorial service for my grandmother, who died last week. It will be nice to see my family after this very trying year; I just wish it were for a different reason.
Hope everyone had a fun holiday weekend! We saw a terrific fireworks display and my mom made some delicious food. The fruit salad was especially yummy - summer berries and peaches are my favorites!
Peace to all,
Shelby
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Shelby - sorry about the loss of your grandmother. Good luck with your upcoming surgery and mammogram. My mammo will be in Aug/Sept. timeframe.
Sherri
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Shelby- I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. Take care and good luck with your upcoming surgery and mammogram.
Take care everyone! Hope you all have a nice and relaxing weekend!
Hugs
Jen
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Hello Ladies - thought I register here with the Class of 2009. I'm a little late, but I'm sure that's ok. I like the idea of keeping up with one another... I was diagnosed in Oct 2009 and was a member of the Dec Chemo gals, though I didn't post much after that first round of chemo. I was too tired to sit at my desk at night. Now I have a laptop, so problem solved!
I recognize a few names from the Dec. chemo gals - hello sisters. Finished rads in May, and have moved on to Arimidex. I seem to be tolerating it fairly well. I have the usual side effects in my hands and feet. I had some neuropathy in my hands and feet from chemo, which mostly went away, but my feet have really never been right since chemo. Now with the pain from Arimidex, it's bothersome, but tolerable. Now I know what my poor mom feels like. She's always complaining about her hands, and now I understand why.
I'm busy growing my hair back and trying to get back into life. Not sure what I'm going to do with my hair - it's coming back a salt & pepper color and it's all curly and has a mind of its own. I wonder if the curliness will go away over time? Don't know if I want to keep the gray b/c it has a lot of pretty silver in it and it's a change of pace, or go back to my old medium brown w/ highlights b/c it makes me look younger.
I'm trying to get some motivation to start doing some walking and exercise to lose some of the weight I put on over the winter, but so far I can't seem to string together anything consistently. I like to walk and run (though it will take me a while to work up to running again), but it's just been too hot down here, so I don't want to go out. I've just been allowing myself to be lazy. I sat around so much during treatment, that I now have to fight the inertia to get moving again.
I usually lurk but am too tired to write after I've read everything, but I'll try to do better. I still haven't gotten over having cancer and find I still think about it quite a bit, so hanging out with the cancer girls seems the thing to do b/c at least everyone here is educated about it and will let me talk about it. I'm still trying to get my PhD in cancer here. I like to know what I'm up against and what the future might bring so that I can be informed and prepared.
So, nice to meet everyone, and look forward to chatting with you all.
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Hello Meg800. I remember you from the Dec. chemo group and welcome to this group. I so understand the lazy not wanting to move thing. I went out yesterday to get pool supplies and to kmart to get sunscreen. I was so exhauseted when I got home I fell asleep on the couch. I am so thankful my 7 year seems to understand leave mom alone when I am like this. I didn't do well in heat before cancer and it seems it has gotten worse since dx.
I am still healing from radiation. I have mostly nice new pink skin and an area of still raw weeping skin. I am shocked that so much has healed up so well in one weeks time. I see both oncologist again this Wed. For some reason I feel down and I am dreading the regular oncologist visit. I know that this visit is the one where I will be put on something and whether or not I will be having my female parts removed. Not the least bit worried about the rad's oncologist visit because it is just to check my skin to see how it is healing.
Hope everybody is having a nice weekend. I took advantage of the cooler day and daddy being home and took a long quite nap.
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Welcome to you Meg and Congrats for having completed all of your treatments! "except the orals, that most of us have to take".
Kittydog, I hope that your skin heals rapidly and you feel better soon. I know it's hard sometimes not to get down. Been there done that... good luck at your Onc visits.
Jen, congrats on the good Mammo and US!!! "happy dance"!!!!!
Shelby, so sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. I will be thinking of you and your family and keeping you all in my prayers in the days ahead.
Alicia, Juanelle, Pam, Michelle, and all you other lovely ladies... STAY COOL and have a great weekend!!!
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Hi Everyone - Love and kisses all around. Just came in from a good 1 1/2 hour walk. Fed the ducks, walked around our little city hall, and saw a possum.
My Dear Sis is doing well at day 11 post BMX. She tells me the expanders hurt. ICK. To those of you who endured that - I'm proud of you. We are going to have two of her drains removed tomorrow. That will be a good thing, although I'm sure she wants all of them out. The silver lining in all of this is that I get to spend some quality time with my nephew. We saw "Despicable Me" today in a nice air conditioned theater. Even had some popcorn and a big old box of junior mints. I tell you this is the kind of day we all fought so hard for last year. It was not lost on me - I was really grateful for every minute of it.
So - as the sun sets here in Texas, all is well. Hope it is the same wherever you are. And hey - you vacation ladies - write and tell all, will you?
XO, Mary
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Oh, how I'd love to see the sun setting in Texas! Mary your day sounds fabulous.
I took my daughter to see the movie called Grown Ups on Friday and it was quite funny.
Take care everyone.
Sherri
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Sugar... love your new avatar! You look so good... and healthy!!!
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I agree, Sugar that is a GREAT look! Definitely looks intentional too (not chemo based) -- yay!
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Welcome Meg- Glad you are done with all your treatments and that you found this group. Better late than never! We welcome you with open arms
Mary- Your sister is so lucky to have you by her side thru this! And bonus for you getting some quality time with your nephew. Good luck on getting the drains out, I am sure that will help her feel better!
Suger- Love you new avitar! You look beautiful!
Abby- Keep your chin up sister! Your skin will start to feel better real soon and you will get your energy back a little more every day. Just listen to your body and do what you can. Your daughter sounds like a wonderful little girl and you are such a shining example to her of bravery and grace, don't forget that.
Hope you all are having a great day!
Hugs
Jen
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Hi all - Been on other threads and now need a new home over here. Finished chemo in April this year and just finished radiation on June 29. Skin in now healing very nicely. Looking forward to meeting you all.
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Hi Leslie!
So glad you are so far along in your treatment. You have been busy!!! What surgery did you have? We are all over the place so there is always someone who has "been there - done that" to share with. Isn't it amazing how fast the skin recovers from rads? Are you on herceptin? Is that it for HER+?
Hope we can be a source of support for you.
pam
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PJ12345 - I had lumpectomy Sept '09 then double mastectomy Nov '09 followed by chemo from Dec '09 to late April '10. Also during that time started Herceptin, which I am to continue on until the end of the year as long as heart function remains acceptable. Herceptin is for us HER2 positives. Finished rads in late June. Done well so far with little side effects other than feet that remain somewhat numb. I hope that goes away soon. It limits my ability to do things for long periods of time.
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Hi Leslie -- I'm a herceptin gal too. Have only three more to go! Wooo hooo!!! I have achy joints (not sure if it's from the Herceptin or the chemopause) especially my knees and my fingers.
What was the reason you followed up a lumpectomy with a BMX a month later?
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Hi Leslie1962: The timing of our treatments synched up over the past 9 months. Nice to see you over on this thread - welcome!0
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Hi Lilah - I had mastectomy shortley after lumpectomy because they didn't get clear margins and doc couldn't give me better than 50/50 that another lumpectomy type surgery would get it all. In the end, glad I did what I did, and it has been a rollercoaster ride for sure. Glad you coming to the end of treatment with Herceptin. On the other hand, doesn't it feel a bit odd not to have to continue and that treatments are all over. I wonder about that and how I will feel in December when I finish...
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Hey Luah - So glad to see you on this thread. I feel like we have been buddies for some time now. How have you been doing?
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Leslie - yeah something similar happened with me as well. First lumpectomy didn't get it all -- second one had three clear and one close margin and then my BS said I would be better off just going for the MX. As it happened, there was no more cancer (BS said she thought they probably DID get it all the second time -- and to be fair to her she was my second BS... first BS did the two lumpectomies). Eh now I have peace of mind and a nifty implant
I have my moments when I worry even now... my ONC does blood tests and assume she will continue when I have follow up visits after I am done in September with Herceptin. I'm sure I will worry but all we can do is follow up as instructed and hope for the best.
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Leslie1982: I'm doing fine. Finished rads last week. The Glaxol base cream worked its magic and my skin is slowly returning to normal. That is the end of treatment for me, as I am triple negative... and yes, it does feel weird to be done -- in both a good and scary way.
I've been part of a clinical study on effects of exercise on BC patients undergoing chemo. Really glad to have been a part of that because I have felt pretty well throughout, with good energy. I gained 7 pounds through chemo, but have lost 8 since, which feels really good.
Hope all is well with your herceptin treatments.
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How Cute Sugar!
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Did I already say you look terrific in your new avatar? You do!
LOve all the new looks. :-)
pam
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Hi All!
It's great to see that some of you are updating your avatars. It's nice to see a current pic and see the changes as we go through our hair growth adventures!
I blew my hair dry this morning with a small round brush and I think I'm getting bangs! I'll ask my daughter to take a photo so I can update my avatar.
Today I had my 6 month follow up with the BS and on Thursday will see my Med Onc for the same.
I had a mamogram and chest xray yesterday (Monday).
The mamogram took 1/2 the time LOL! I know...bad joke...but I knew you ladies would understand and appreciate it.
I asked the BS if he had the results - he didn't - but his assistant called the radiologist's office who faxed them over. She even gave me a copy! Everything is normal!
When I see the BS he gives me a really good check over and pokes all over the surgical area, under my arm, my shoulders and neck.
He said that my surgical area and ribs are a bit tight on my cancer side and I need to massage that loose so that I can have an easier time with the TE (surgery is scheduled for Sept).
I asked the BS about my continued pain in the neck and sinus and he said he couldn't feel anything and that possibly it could be a side effect of the Tamoxifen. He suggested that I mention it to my Med Onc when I see him on Thursday.
I also had blood work done yesterday afternoon in preparation for my Med Onc follow up and I just checked the results online. Everything looks good!
As I said I'm still suffering with neck, jaw, ear, shoulder ache/pain and so I went to see my GP this afternoon for him to check it out. I never know who to see for what or what to mention at each of these drs visits so I just keep asking them all the same thing!
My GP tells me that my ears are clear now and that the pain I'm feeling must be from tension in my jaw from STRESS! He suggested a neck and shoulder massage and some relaxation techniques as well as continuing with the Ativan and Tylenol.
I think I'll go have a margarita now and do some RELAXING of my own!
I'm sending hugs to you all! I may not post that much anymore but I do check up on you and think of you ladies often.
Have a good week!
Marie
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I have to agree Pam everyones new avatars look awesome!!! Wow ladies!!! Lisa nice to see you with hair... LOL
Sugar, love your new hair as well! Lilah, I can't leave you out either... looking good! Leslie, Luah and Meg... a big hug and Welcome to all of you! Many great ladies that lurk and chat on this site and have a wealth of knowledge or just lend an ear.
Mary, glad to hear your sister is doing better. She is lucky to have a sister like you to be supportive and lend her a hand while she is recovering. Hope she gets all those "nasty" drains out soon. I hear they are quite uncomfortable. My girlfriend told that the TE's were a little uncomfortable as well but she really never complained, except for the days immediately following her fills. Hope your sister makes it through that. My girlfriend said the relief was wonderful once she had her final exchange done after about a week.
Renee
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I just wish there was a way to have the previous avatar(s) still show so we can see that progression better. Once the new avatar pops up I don't remember what the old one looked like.
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Hi ladies,
For those of you who are still so tight following surgery... swimming has really helped me! No amount of stretching seemed to help my operated side and my onc suggested swimming. I live a couple blocks from a mom and pop motel with a small pool so I stopped one day (it is on my walk route) and asked if I could swim in their pool for a small fee. They were very happy to agree. I swim 30 minutes 3 x a week and everything is better. I just paddle around, no big plan. I go in the morning and always have the pool to myself. Most of their guests want to go in the ocean :-) I could go to a local gym for the same money but would have to drive and that would not be as convenient. I might do that this winter when it turns cold.
Of course you couldn't do this during active treatment... I am one year post everything except Arimidex. Life is getting back to normal... or at least the new normal.
Hope everyone is feeling strong... it is a battle to get back. I am working in my garden and yard an hour a day and so many things I used to do that I can't now. I get it done but it is more brain than brawn in most cases. Right now I am fighting with an extension ladder that I want moved... so far I am dragging it, next step is to see if I can stand it upright. ??? We'll see.
Good wishes to everyone.
pam
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