Class of 2009 - Sisters in the same time frame
Comments
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Marie - wow, bangs! Color me jealous. And glad to hear the good mammo news. My hair still looks like a big puffball on top of my head. I'm looking forward to it growing a bit and lying down some. It's really thick and much darker than it was pre-chemo. Everyone's hair is looking GOOD!
I just finished moving into a new apartment this weekend. I haven't been this tired since chemo! And my arms are sore from lifting so much. I need to get back to exercising. Luah, that's cool that you have lost that chemo weight. Did it help much with fatigue? I found a free exercise program here in town for breast cancer patients/survivors. So, I have no excuse NOT to exercise. I've got to look into it and get started.
The ooph suggested by my onc is delayed until December due to insurance issues, so I'm starting Tamox. I still haven't gotten my period yet, and I plan on getting some blood tests to check my hormone levels. Maybe I won't need to ooph if my chemopause ends up being permanent. I don't know what the odds of that are, considering that I'm only 37 years old, but I wouldn't mind. I don't miss my period, that's for sure!
Next month is my rad onc follow-up and mammo. How many of you are just having mammos (as opposed to US or MRI)? Since my mammo failed to pick up my BC only 3 months before I found my 2.5 cm lump, I don't get a whole lot of relief from a clear mammo. I wonder if I should ask the onc about US?
Have a great day everyone!
Peace,
Shelby
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Shelby- First of all you look beautiful! Love your new avitar
I would definitely ask for an US if that would make you feel more comfortable. The doc just needs to order the whole mammo diagnostic work up, that is is what I get. My BC was found with US and I refuse to not have one going forward. Even if your onc doesn't feel that is is completely necessary, you need to feel comfortable with it. Pam- Since you have already had your "cancerversary" I have a question for you, since mine is approaching. How did you feel, and how did you deal with it? I am finding lately that I am thinking about everything more and more since the significant dates are approaching. I am having mixed emotions so far that range from happiness to a bit of depression, I know quite a range! I have been actively getting back to TaeKwonDo and actually plan on Black Belt tip testing in August. The date for the testing is 2 days from my year anniversary of my first surgery. I am expecting to be pretty emotional that day. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. I will be testing and pushing my physical limits on that day, when just a year ago, I had just had my first major surgery in my life and was in so much pain and so scared for my life. I am so thankful that I am able to do such physical things one year later.
Thank you ladies for listening to my ramblings.
Hugs
Jen
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Marie -- looking good! Seems to me your hair is darker now (more black, less grey).
My old avatar was a pre-BC pic of my former long hair; this one is me as of now! (Well a few weeks ago). I have to say I love having short hair ... never had it my whole life.
Hope all of you are well and happy as can be... summer definitely keeps me away from the PC
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Sounds like everybody is doing so well. I know I will get there. Well my dreaded appointment came and went today. He is not recommending the hysterectomy as of now because he thinks I am still too week to handle another surgery. So I get to start tamoxifen tonight. My Dr. has me taken 10mg. twice a day. Ugg. I can hardly remember to take medicine once a day and now he's adding a morning pill too. He also did blood work to see where my hormone levels were and to check some other things since I am still so tired all the time. I go back in a month.
My appointment the radiation oncologist went well to. Skin is looking much better with just a small area of raw skin now. I have to go back to him in three weeks for a follow up.
Another busy day tomorrow. Dentist for a tooth that broke off over the weekend and the other to see my family Dr. Going to see if we can find something to work on my neuropathy.
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Aw Kitty so sorry you're still suffering... I do have lots of aches and pains still (if misery loves company)... my ONC says they are a kind of arthritis that is caused by chemo and usually goes away. So I am WAITING PATIENTLY for the pain to go away... for some reason it's been my right knee the last few days (and it aches so much the pain seems to travel up and down my leg). Sigh.
Hope they find you something for the neuropathy. My neuropathy symptoms did subside about 3 - 4 months after chemo... (was mostly a discomfort/weird feeling in my feet and a bad ache in my lower legs).
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So nice to see everyone with hair growing !! woo HOO girls looking good ~
Pam ~ congrats to you being 1 year since this all went down !! Glad to hear you are finding a new normal and getting on with life !
Shelby ~ I am with you "jealous" of BANGS !! Hope you are getting settled in from your move and get some rest !
Kitty ~ hang in there and I am hoping the tamoxifen is a breeze for you. I take 20 mgs but 1 time a day. Good luck getting your tooth fixed !
Jen ~ when your cancerversary comes you can hopefully put this year a bit in the back of your mind and get back to a new normal !
I think all we have been through we are forever changed but we will prevail !!!
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Hi ladies,
I am not much of an anniversary person. DH and I always forget our wedding anniversary! So there was no special day or feeling, rather just forging on trying to get back to normal. I think I have struggled with expectations... thinking my body would be the same or my mind would be. Finally I have realized I am a different person... not as strong, not as innocent. But not complaining! I ask for help more and don't expect as much of myself. But I plug away and get it done.
I would go on and on but running out of power (battery)
Pam
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Pam - I feel the same way about anniversaries. I am trying to move forward from this whole experience and not focus on what was too much. I do find myself thinking that last year at this time I was diagnosed, had surgery etc., but I don't mention it and nobody else in my family focuses on it so I don't either.
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Thank you Ladies for the lovely welcome. I had my 1st 3 month checkup with the onc today. All went well of course, since I am not having any problems. Did well with the radiation and no side effects from the Arimidex that aren't tolerable.
I asked about the follow-up schedule and learned that it is every 3 months for the next 2 years b/c if the cancer is going to return, it will likely happen in the next 2 years. Then every 4 months for a year, then 6 months for 2 years, and then annually. I don't have to have any scans or anything except for mammos. The only scan I had at diagnosis was a breast mri.
The only follow-up item I have is to see an orthopedic surgeon for a lump on my right upper arm and chronic pain in hips and right sitbone. The hips are bursitis that I had been under treatment for. The sitbone and shoulder lump I got from a nasty fall I took one morning after chemo. That was back in January, and they are both still there.
It was a weird fall - I got lightheaded on my way to the bathroom in the morning and next thing I knew I had fallen to my knees, then pitched forward through the bathroom doorway. I stopped the forward fall hard with my shoulders and upper arms in the doorway and got some nasty bruises and this big goose egg on my shoulder that has never gone away. With the forward momentum stopped dead in its tracks, I fell backward and came down on my sitbones, then rolled backwards and hit the back of my head on the wall behind me. It was quite an accomplishment for one little fall! So I had bruises on both knees, both shoulders, both sitbones, and the back of my head. I was afraid they were going to think I was abused! Anyway, I think it's a little weird that both of the right side injuries only are still bothering me, and the right side was the cancer side. Neither one of us thinks it has anything to do with the cancer, but she said it should be looked at.
Now I need to move on to exercise. I've been babying myself with laziness for too long now. The number on the scale today was just too high, so it's time to start walking away the pounds. Somehow I must find the motivation.
Well, everyone take care and hope it is a great day tomorrow for everyone!
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I am so ready for my new life. Can you say I just am having a bad week. My daughter and I were in a car wreck this morning. We are okay. I have a sore shoulder from the seat belt. They did make me go and have an xray of my shoulder because the seat belt came across my port area. I think my daughter enjoyed riding in the ambulance though. So if you believe in prayers say one for us. We can't afford a car payment and I know there is a lot of damage to my car and it is worth little considering it is 11 years old with 140,000+ miles on it.
So needless to say I will now be getting my tooth fixed next wed and seeing my Dr. about the neuropathy on Tuesday.
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Aw Kitty so sorry to hear .... hope things get better soon.
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Abby! I will definitely pray for you! I am so sorry to hear all that you have been going thru and now you were in a car accident on top of it all. Just so happy that you and your daughter are both ok. Good luck with getting your tooth fixed and hope your doc can help you out with the neuropathy.
Wow Meg, that was quite a fall you took! Hope the doc can help with the goose egg on your shoulder. Will you not be having any follow-up MRI's?
Hope you all are having a great day!
Hugs
Jen
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KittyDog - Hugs and prayers coming your way from Michigan!
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KittyDog - so sorry to hear about your accident. I'm sending you good vibes for somethng good to happen to your family.
Sherri
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Kittydog sending hugs and prayers your way!! Hope everything works out for you with the car.
Renee
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Kittydog ~ sorry to hear of your accident ! Hope you are feeling ok ~
Hugs,
Alicia
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KittyDog - sorry to hear about your accident Hoping your car makes it through too!
JBurke1 - I don't think any mri's are planned. As far as I know - just mammos.
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Abby, Wow girl. I'd say you were due a walk in the park, late at night, to a secluded spot where you can just scream your head off until you have nothing left to scream. I do believe in prayer...if you have a church family I'd say start there for a car solution. Seems like our church always has someone in disaster mood & there seems to be someone who can help in one way or another.
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Well ladies you have been a busy bunch these past two weeks.....It has taken me about an hour to read all the posts...
We had a wonderful relaxing vacation. The weather was stinking hot...almost to hot for the beach. Almost. We rented a cottage at the beach for the first week. Actually it was a lake that was full of lily pads, frogs, and beautiful swans. The summable beach was a five minute walk away. Then we went a little north for the second week. We had a cottage donated to us through a program that matches cancer patients with people who donate their cottages for a week of relation. What a wonderful place we stayed at. It was nicer than some homes I have lived in. It was right on a beautiful lake as well. This one was full of ducks and frogs...loved it. Now it is back to reality...yuck. at least my bed is super comfy.
I missed chatting with you ladies...and I have a lot of catching up to do.
Jen, happy dance for your test results...
Shelby, glad to hear you were deported and it went well. You moved and your ooph was delayed. What a crazy couple of weeks. I am sorry to hear of your Grandmothers passing...Big hugs and prayers for you.
Leslie and Meg WELCOME...you will come to love this wonderful group of ladies..Meg, you sound like you could almost have a career as a stunt double..You and JOJO have a lot in common. She took a tumble into a ditch and didn't even dirty her purse.
Marie, keep on chugging those margaritas, and relax your summer away. Cheers to your good mammo.
Kitty, wow you have had a busy few weeks as well..I hope you and your daughter are doing ok...big gentle hugs for you.
For those that I missed...big hugs and smoochies.
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Kittydog, I hope your car situation gets worked out. It is difficult to live without a car here in San Antonio because everything is so spread out and public transportation isn't the greatest - I don't know how it is in SC, but I imagine it's not much better.
You're having your share of troubles! Good luck with everything.
Michele, great to hear from you! I'm so glad you got the opportunity to relax and enjoy life some. There's just something about getting away. And the generosity of strangers is so heartwarming. What a neat program!
My best friend took my girls and I on a vacation to Virginia last month as a "done with treatment" gift. We spent a couple of days in Virginia Beach, and a week in Williamsburg. The condo in Williamsburg was right on the banks of a pond that had geese, ducks, a swan, and turtles. It was so nice to look out at the water, and those birds/turtles were very well fed by us - bread, crackers and Rice Krispies were on the menu from our deck! I love being by the water - it's so peaceful.
Hope all of my sisters have a terrific weekend! Peace and blessings to all...
~Shelby
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I'm new to this site but I think I fit here. I was dx in November of 09 and had surgery Dec. 17th. In 2010 on Feb 3rd I started Chemo (4 AC - 12 Taxol) still have two Taxol left. Then it's onto rads.
I'm curious about the rads. I read and hear all kinds of things. Do you burn from the tx? If so what do you do to help with that? Can you still have reconstruction if you do radiation? Would like to hear everyones experience if it's not to much trouble.
Thx Carolyn
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Welcome Carolyn!
Most women who have had chemo think radiation is a breeze... I hope it will be that way for you. The "burning" is more like blistering and if it happens usually occurs late in the course of treatment, in my case, about TX #26 of 36. Miserable for a week or two but heals FAST once treatment ends. I only had a lumpectomy so no recon... but do think Rads limits your choices post mastectomy.
I hated rads... found it very stressful... but I got through it and am no worse for it, I hope. Skin is back to normal, my radiated side actually looks better than the old side, no discomfort, lung and heart seem to have survived okay, no shrinkage... all doing well.
Did you have a MX?
Pam
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Carolyn, yes indeed rads are easier than Chemo...the only real sucky part is going every day. I hope to have reconstruction in the near future...
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Welcome Carolyn.
Rads are much better than chemo. I finished 34 rounds two weeks ago. Most all of my skin has healed now. I say my burn felt more like a third degree burn. lol It was very raw and weeped nasty stuff.
I am happy to post that I think my fatigue is letting up finally.. I feel more alert today and have some energy. Maybe I am finally going to start getting my life back. I even painted my finger nails last night. They are very short still but I think in a few more weeks they will be back to my normal length. Now as far as the toenails....they are still looking like they are going to come off. I hope they can hold on until they grow out some more.
Thanks for all the gentle hugs. I feel fine just have a slight cut on the neck from the seat belt. Still tender to touch the shoulder but it could have been a lot worse. We know that it will cost $3,700 to fix the car and that is with used parts...not sure yet whether they will consider it totaled.
I got a nice rental car for now but I know it will have to be turned in as soon as they make an offer. The bad thing in this is Olivia and I were going to the beach on the 26 as our celebration that Mom is through with treatment. It really happened at a bad time but then when does an accident come at a good time.
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Thx everyone for the info. on rads. And no Pam - no MX - but Lumpectomy. Have two more Taxols yet, then its onto rads. I'm getting soooooooooooooooooooooo ready to put all this behind me. Of course then there's Tamox so maybe it's to early to get excited. Carolyn
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Hi ladies,
Is anyone here who had a lumpectomy checking in to reconstruction? My bad boob is at least a cup size smaller than the other one. I wonder if insurance covers this?
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Txstardust- From what I understand Insurance has to cover any kind of reconstruction that is related to breast cancer treatment. The best thing to do would be to call and ask you insurance company. But, I believe there was a law passed about reconstruction being covered as part of treatment.
Carolyn- Welcome to our little group. I am sorry you had to find us, but glad you did. My DX is similar to Pam's. I had lumpectomy, then re-excision to get clear margins. Then did 37 treatments of rads, no chemo. Rads was fine, better that chemo from what I hear. Once your skin starts reacting, you will most likely be about 1/2 way thru and then once you are done you will heal very quickly. Take care and keep us posted on how you are feeling. This is a great group of ladies to get support and info from.
Hope you all are having a wonderful day!
Hugs
Jen
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I'm personally overwhelmed here at home. Reading these post has given me some ground.
Newbies- Welcoming hugs XXX
More Hugs for KittyDog and all the rest of you who are in need of a hug.
I will post better when things settle down here.
Miss you all
Lisa
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Carolyn, before you know it you will be done. It feels like an eternity when you first start this crazy sucky process. But then when it is done you will say, wow that went faster that you would think. It is great that you found us...I would never have made it through all this without these wonderful ladies..we ladies rock..
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Michele - I'm likng the new avatar photo. Are you at the beach?
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