Catholics
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Praying for you Betty and for all my brave bc sisters!! xo
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geewhiz - I read a lot of people have trouble posting using the iPad. I wonder why that is?
Prayers going up for everyone tonite - esp Betty for surgery & Laura's grandma. 92. Bless her heart.
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Betty... PRAYERS !
Thank you so so so much for praying for my grandmother and aunt.. they need it so much, truly.
JUST........... YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT SISTER... I am so sorry you are hurting so bad. It is SO hard at times while in treatment... and after... for awhile. you have my prayers now.
Laura
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Betty I will be praying for you and for Willow too.I feel pretty needy on this list but I had a pretty discouraging day. On my prophylactic side we tried a nipple sparing procedure. Well, my nipple has not decided if it wants to live or not. It is purple and not turning pink. In addition, my drains are not working on that side. I was so disappointed when we drove home today. I was hoping for an easy recovery. If this doesn't go well, I will be facing another surgery to correct the problem and may or may not get to save the reconstruction on this side.The good news is no infection, yet. I am wrapped in an ace bandage to try to reduce the swelling, and have an antibiotic RX plus a topical antibiotic. I hope these work and I sure wish the drain would start flushing all this fluid as it should.Thanks for letting me vent here.Prayers being offered for all.Alice in Ohio.0
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Vent away sister, that is one of the reasons why we are here. To support each other through thick and thin! xo
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Alice,
You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Praying for you to be free of infection, and for this to turn around. What did your PS say about the drains? Drat. Lets go antibiotics! Please keep us posted.
Betty,
So nothing to eat drink or chew after midnight, right? I learned to stay up a little later and have a little nosh and juice before hitting the pillow. Not that I really could sleep before surgeries, but all you have to do tomorrow is Nap away
May God and your Angels provide your medical team with all of the wisdom and skill needed for a successful and uneventful surgery. I was thinking you were on the 12th, perhaps Laura's friend is on the 12th?Prayersareanswered,
I know you are "in the weeds" right now, but it sounds like your Nurse gave you sound advice. Don't ever feel hesitant to speak up about any side effects. Oncology Nurses are usually creative and willing to advocate for you, work with you and the goal is for you to be comfortable. I think I mentioned that I called the AM after feeling like I had been "on the rack," all night after my Neulasta shot. They told me to take two Percocets every 4 hours until the pain crisis ended. I was sure glad I did. I also had three different anti nausea meds, so I had options. (with education on how long to wait in between
At any rate, you were knocked down, but you sounded strong in your post. I love that you posted during your infusion! It means You Got Spunk! (did you every see Mary Tyler Moore Show?) I just remembered the line when Lou Grant said to Mary, You Got Spunk! and she's all, yay, I rock, and he goes, "I hate Spunk." I happen to love Spunk. now I am rambling... Hang in there!0 -
Laura,
Your Grandmother has such a beautiful name. I am sorry she is not well, she has had a long life here. I am sure she has a specail place in your lives and that will never change. It is hard to imagine losing a loved one, I wish you all Peace and for her to be free of pain, and aware of you all as she prepares to go home. May she go gently into God's arms.
and all,
I spoke at length with my friend Judy today. she was so appreciative or your prayers and support. I mentioned that we met at my Cancer center, and we are both triple negative. We actually sat across from each other in the Look Good Feel Better group, and it was really healing for both of us. We then had our last chemo together, and have been keeping tabs on each other these last 10 months. She had her PET scan today, and they ordered another scan while she was there. She will learn more tomorrow. I am very worried, and just praying for her. Please continue to keep her in your prayers, and I will let you all know.
God Bless.
Traci
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Alice - so sorry to hear about your setback and prayers going up that you are improving & turn the corner.
Betty - by now I hope surgery is over & you're on the road to quick recovery. Traci - loved your prayer for Betty - I used it also!
Prayersanswered - hang in there. I'm sure it feels endless right now, but each hour & day brings you closer to being DONE. You've had a lot to deal with in short period of time. Special prayers for you today.
Traci - you sound little more light-hearted. I like reading your anecdotes
Fingers & toes crossed for good news for Judy.0 -
Alice, hang in there!! I learned to take things a day at a time...it sounds cliche, doesn't it? I lay my head on the pillow at night, thank God for my adventures du jour and wake up the next morning knowing that for just one day, I can handle whatever is slung at me.
Squidwitch - with the neulasta shot, I have two tricks. Both I learned from the oncology nurses. Take Claritin the day before your shot, the day of and the day after. I checked with my onc, who shrugged her shoulders and said it made sense. The bone pain is a histamine response and Claritin hinders it. Also, ask the nurse to let you warm the shot before she gives it to you. My nurses would hand it to me...one told me to put it in my bra or roll it in my palms. It makes it SO much easier to receive. I never had reactions after I learned these tricks.
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Dear sisters,
I haven't been able to read lately because our house water heater broke on Sunday around noon. It's a nightmare without hot water and we are having extremely cold weather here. Luckily we can use our RV for showers but it is very inconvenient to say the least. So after spending almost the whole day getting through to the manufacturer for warranty verification and today I have to contact the local distributors and then check out plumbers.
Blessing so far is that there is 1 month warranty left but not without spending time yesterday to give them proof. Whew!
Please pray for me that I will find an honest plumber that's affordable too.
Hope to find you all in peace and just having a smooth week.
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So many things going on for so many of us. I continue to pray pray pray for us all and our families. I am grateful to have the support of my bc sisters! xo
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Paula - as Roseann Roseannadana said "It's always something." I pray you find an honest, dependable and affordable plumber. Our new pellet stove went on the fritz, but Skip worked with the dealer to get a replacement part and it fired up again. They don't make things like they used to, and they don't service things like they used to.
I've been out of commission too. Got the flu. I'm so sick of getting sick! I take all my vitamins. What gives? It's like every week or every other week, I get another virus of some sort. Of course, it's my fault that I didn't get the flu shot when they told me to... but I was going to get one this Friday when I see my Onc. :-( I'm going to ask her this question, but does anyone else get sick all the time? How long after chemo is our immune system compromised?
Geewhiz - I wish I had known about the Claritin trick when I had those Neulasta shots. Traci - yes, it felt like the rack! (As I was suffering with the flu on Sunday, my bones felt like they were being crushed, and it reminded me of having Neulasta shots!!!)
Sorry to be so whiney. I know many of your are suffering A LOT worse than I am right now. Prayers for Willow and all her family who have to suffer mourning on earth. Prayers for prayersareanswered for a better recovery after this infusion. Prayers for Betty in her surgery. Prayers for Alice for healing from her nipple procedure. I hope I didn't miss anyone, I'm still kind of muddle-headed.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen
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Amen
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Amen!
And thank you!
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Sisters...
Prayers to all of you struggling with one thing or another right now...it does sometimes feel like it will never end, but it will...things will get better...
Day 4 out of last chemo...doing okay...knocked the wind out of me yesterday, but I got to moving around more today which always helps....heartburn has been HORRIBLE this round...but, I know that it will subside too, so I'm doing my darndest to not complain too much...
Theresa-sorry to hear about the flu girll...that is no fun..You know, I didn't get the flu shot this year, but I''ve never been one to get before either....been a hermit though during the times my WBC was low, so I"m thankful that I didn't get it...hope you feel better soon!
Paula-What a bummer with your water heater...I pray that the plumber you reach is affordable and honest...sending you a warm hug!
Alice-lifting you up on prayers that all resolves itself for you....
geewhiz-I like your attitude girlie....
I need to just take it as it comes too and not worry about the things that haven't happened yet....Laura-still offering prayers for your grandma too....one day at a time...
Betty-hoping surgery was a breeze and that recovery is smooth sailing...
Prayers to each and every one of you dear sisters....
Tori
DE COLORES!
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Tori,
I have yet to hear you complain! I say let er rip. I do remember my heartburn kicked in more on the last round, I was blessed in that it wasn't over the top. I hope this gets better. Have you had any luck with OTC antacids? I have no answer, but perhaps others can give advice?
and geewhiz, I did use the claritan for chemo round number 2, and things were much better. I started to worry that it was making me chemo less effective (wasn't suffereing enough,) so I did not do it the next two. I did not win an award for martyrdom...and I most certainly would have played that differently. I think the Claritin is a secret too well kept. Keep sharing the great info!
So our Betty had her surgery today.I hope you are doing well, and pain well managed.
and my friend. well I was nervous all day, and I heard it in her voice when she picked up the phone. Her Onc (mine as well,) just said it should not have gone this way. But she has gone from stage 1 to IV after finishing chemo Mid March 2010. It's in her lungs and sternum. I will see her briefly tomorrow, then hopefully after her Brain MRI on Saturday. She will get her port in ASAP, and start ECF (I think I know two out of 3 on this chemo,) next Thursday. I'm shaken up, but will do everything to process this and do my best to be supportive. Please keep her in your prayers.
Will check back later, and glad to have you all. and God
amd for those of us with things breaking down around us, I pray for this too change too. and on that note, I am off to the pharmacy, and will see what I can throw out on the way.
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Ladies.... WHY DO WE TRY NOT TO COMPLAIN TOO MUCH??????????? Tori pinched a nerve. A nerve I understand.. ( love you Tori... and understand exactly what you said sister!!! ) She has EVERY RIGHT to complain about the pain of chemo... we ALL DO. So why, do we all try to NOT let others know how much it sucked to be on chemo... and to do rads?? I did the same thing. I tried, the WHOLE time I did chemo and rads... to let everyone know just how GREAT I was doing... and that... the hard part of it all... was not too bad. Well, that was a LIE. To not complain.... that was lady like and Christian I suppose... but a lie.
I am 2-3 yrs out of all treatments........ and I am coming to terms with it all........ and I am shocking myself on how humble I was back then....... and in my humility... I was not honest.
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I hear you Laura---
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Preach it!
I agree I agree!
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Theresa ~ thank you for your prayers. I was on the phone with the manufacturer most of the day yesterday and I started on the phone early today too. I was finding out about the distributors and whether the water heater is in stock. Then called and talked to numerous plumbing companies and checked them on the State Contractor's License board. Got one company to come out and they just about take my arm and leg. The pricing on labor is outrageous. I'm sorry to hear about your flu and I hope that you will beat this virus quickly. God Speed.
Tori ~ thank you for your prayers also. I'm glad that you are feeling a bit better today. May your SE be fewer and fewer each day...and YAY, this is the last of the chemos!!
Alice ~ I pray that the tissue will improve and no infections.
PRA ~ Hang in there sister. I hear you about getting sick from Lexapro. I tried that med too and I had to be off it. Perhaps you can ask for another class of anti-depressant. I also take Ativan and it works better on me as well. I have to take it lately as I am not getting quality sleep.
Betty ~ God Speed, I pray that your recovery is a quick and smooth one.
Traci ~ prayers for your friend Judy, she's lucky to have you as a friend and I'm sure you can give her a lot of reassurance and comfort.
Good night all !
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Paula,
Congrats on finding the paperwork with the warrenty still in sight. I know this is all stressful, I feel ya.
Theresa, do you have the flu flu? High fever? Make sure you stay home and rest, plenty of fluids. You can call your Onc/PCP and ask what else to do. I think Tamiflu has to be started right away, but don't quote me. I have tried 7 different times to get the flu shot at my own clinic. Yes, you heard that right. The other day the medical director was supposed to find the standing order no one had anymore. Never got it. I have no rationalized that I must have been slated for a reaction this year, that's why all of the resistance. Truth is, I run into this all the time. One would think it could be easy for once.
Alice, how are you doing? Any better with anti-biotics? Betty, I hope you are recovering well. Thinking about you all, and Tori/Prayers hang in there sisters!
God Bless Us All,
traci
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HI Ladies, I am Home and I hope things went good ( didn't see the results yet) as far as the surgery went it was good. I am in alot more pain than I thought I would be in. I am take my meds as needed.
Thank you all for your prayers, I felt so confident going in the or with all of you praying for me. I know I felt them. I said alittle pray with my youngest daughter right before I went in. The power of pray is so powerful. Thanks my sister and I am pray for all your request as well. Now to rest and a good recovery Love Betty
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Laura-
thanks for speaking up about my subtleness when it comes to complaining...I have no excuses...it's just the way I've always been...even in the worst of times I always seem to downplay what is really going on or what I'm feeling...can't explain why...maybe it's because I always thought that the situation could always be worse so I should be grateful that it wasn't...
Maybe I have such difficulty because it's an acknowledgement that I don't have control over this situation that has encompassed my life...I've already lost control of my body and what it has done, where would I be if I let my feelings/thoughts etc. start to let loose? Controlling how I react to each step of my journey has given me (in some way) some "say" in how I"m going to let it lead me to the next step....
But, if it's gonna hurt me in the long run (spiritually, emotionally, etc.) what's the point?
YOU ARE RIGHT... we all need to get out what we feel no matter how that may present itself...
I have so much to learn and such a long way to go...
God bless and protect you all today...
peace and prayers,
Tori
DE COLORES!
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Tori and all
Surrendering has always been hard for me--letting go and letting God. Love to all my sisters xo
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Awe Tori.... Honey.. I think you have brought a GREAT topic to the surface for most of us good women. We are always trying to make things better.... and putting on a face... and like lovemyfamily said............ trying to control so so much. I did not even realize I had done this... I just thought I was being a good wife and mother. WOW did I learn something ..
Tori... you brought a subject to the surface.... and it is SO important for us all not to have guilt... that's right........ GUILT...... I think we have so much of this... that we might never heal....
I think I gave myself cancer... I really do. Yes, God our Father " allowed" me to get it...... but I know that my high profile.... high stress life I " allowed" myself to have.. caused my cancer. So, I am now not questioning WHY I got cancer anymore...... now I am trying to really LEARN why our Father " allowed" me to experience it. It was not what was to take my life.... so there is a lesson to be learned.
God bless all you sweethearts !
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Esteep, you are the sweetheart! xo I really don't think we can give ourselves cancer. That would suggest a modicum of guilt. I appreciate your thoughtful response to our own guilt, fear, sadness, anger, about getting cancer. Two years ago I wasn't able to even think of this--but now I am hoping to incorporate a specialization for bc survivors into my psychhotherapy practice. We women do take on so much in terms of leadership of our family and sometimes need to be reminded that it is okay to take care of ourselves (I am speaking very generally, of course). But Esteep, your post touched my heart. God bless all my brave bc sisters.
Elen xo
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Morning all,
I must apologize first because I have not caught up on the messages here. But I wanted to share good news. My pathology reports came back today (post BMX last Thursday), no carcinoma found in either breast, no carcinoma found in the 21 lymph nodes removed either. Two were sent for additional smears. I learned about that on Monday, so this was heavy on my mind this week.
This clean report follows 7 months of chemo with 12 weeks of Lapatinib tossed in the last twelve weeks. It is a huge relief and comes when I am not real happy with my surgery recovery. My drains are not working very well and the swelling is yuck!
Hope everyone is doing alright. Thanks so much for your prayers and support. It has helped tremendously.
God Bless,
Alice
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Alice - love to hear good news.
Glad you're getting along Betty.
Tori/Laura & others - most of the time I do pretty well coping but sometimes I just get enraged about the whole thing and no way to route the anger into something productive. I'm working on that.
Traci - so sorry about the news on Judy. I'm praying everthing will be very treatable.
Theresa - hope the worst of flu is over. Seems like everybody is sick. I've been using hand wipes like crazy.
Lauren pulled through her 9 hour surgery yesterday & in hospital starting her road to recovery. Praise God.
Elen (Ellie?) - that's very cool to address these issues w/your patients! Such an unmet need.
Take care everyone. God bless.
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Good morning sisters...
Alice - great news!!! I pray for your relief from your swelling.
I wasn't getting any better, so I had Skip drive me into the doctors yesterday. I do not have the flu... they did the test... even thought I had every symptom of the flu... including fever. I have bronchitis and she suspected pneumonia in my right lung, so I had an xray. But I found out today that it is not pneumonia... just a bad case of bronchitis. Once I got home, the "evil" thought came to my head about mets to the lung!!! Geeezzz. Logically, I know that's silly, but I had to force it from my thoughts a few times. I haven't been able to eat much b/c I also have intestinal issues, if you know what I mean.
There has been some thoughtful topics here. I like Tori's statement: "But, if it's gonna hurt me in the long run (spiritually, emotionally, etc.) what's the point?" Many times it's good to let it out and not hold in the pain and complaints and anger, but sometimes it gets to be a habit of complaining and then it's not good for your mind, body or soul. But when we're suffering with this awful disease and the surgeries and chemos and rads, we're here for each other to let it out!!! Laura, I can relate a lot to what you were saying. I did my best on the outside world to put on the strong armour and work when I probably should have taken it easy. This recent sickness that's put me flat on my back is yet ANOTHER wake up call for me to put my priorities straight. I had work calling me this week pestering me about an audit I did and I got all worked up while I should have been healing. I was starting to feel better, but then relapsed. It just shows how stress affects my body, and yes, I agree with Laura in that I feel that I brought this cancer and all my illnesses on myself by being such a Type A perfectionist person. If I can't bring my job stress under control, then I'm going to have to move on (which is a scary thought). I have to learn to retrain my brain to not be so negative and to look at everything as a blessing and be grateful. I hope I can do it, b/c the alternative is a continued stressed out immune system. I DO NOT want the cancer to come back!!! No job or salary is worth that!
Ellie - I wish you lived in VA, I'd join your BC survivor psychotherapy group!!!! As a doctor who has walked the walk, you'd be providing a VALUABLE service to scared and confused women.
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Thinking about how much I care about you all and wanting to start seriously considering having a prayful and fun get together. Gonna give it some thought, and would love to hear ideas! This is going to happen! Maybe this spring---let's put our minds together and we can work on it. I would love to meet you all in person!
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