CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS
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Meece, thank you for responding to my post. Hope you are doing well and I have been exercising my arm today quite abit..
Will check in with everyone later.
Love to all,
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Hannahbears Mon - Thank you for your reply too, I must have missed it. So many posts.
PS said one place you do not want to go is Physical Therapy. You will not be happy there, so USE THAT ARM.
I have started to squeeze a tennis ball (dog will think I want to play constantly) and have used the arm in more motion today.
I hope I did not miss any of anyone else's posts.
Unfortunately, one thing I cannot get outside of my head (and I do not want to depress anyone else because I am good at that), is thinking of the TE inside me, but when I think of the gals with the chemo I shut up. Yes, we are all warriors in our fight.
Will check in later.
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Susu 1976 and Seyla OMG, thank you too for your advice. Sometimes I read the posts bottom to top and get mixed up. As long as I read them, that's all that counts
Love,
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Wow, had 3 pages to catch up on. Exchange surgery went well so far, minimal pain, thank goodness. Will see how it goes for the next couple of days. Will have the vicodin ready every 4-6 hours for the first couple of days. thanks for all the prayers and support here.
Welcome newbies and everyone else. I know what you mean when people tell you that you look good and are glad to hear your voice. I don't know what they thought I would look or sound like because of bc. When I went back to work after my mastectomy, everyone told me I looked good. It was funny, the other day, someone actually told me that I looked so much better now and that I didn't look that good right after. Weird, huh, it's like, Ok, were people lying to me about looking good to begin with?
I try not to let things bother me too much and I just think of it as people really don't know what to say to someone when told they have cancer.
Nedd to go take nap before dinner, I'm exhausted from being up a little bit.
Kelley
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KAC:Hi. I noticed that we were diagnosed the same day. I'm glad that your exchange went well and the pain is not too bad. My exchange won't be until March and I am already ready! Take it easy.
Susu: Hope that your day has continued to improve and that your feeling better.
Ronna: I didn't mean to scare you about the PT, it was one of the best things I did for myself after my BLM.
I didn't have to do rads or chemo so I can only imagine what that is like. I just try to remind myself that people are trying to say positive things to support me and they don't always know what to say.
Everyone have a peaceful restful evening
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Hi Gals:
Sorry I haven't posted lately I have been pre-occupied. Tomorrow is when I go to meet with my oncologist to discuss treatment options. My boyfriend is going with me. I know I am going to lose it when I am there. I am sitting here shaking and crying already just thinking about it. I'm afraid to hear what she is going to say. I know she wants me to have chemo.
I had a horrible scare last night. It was about 6:30pm and the phone rang. It was a male voice who identified himself as my gastroentrologist. I just had my yearly colonoscopy on Friday and he had removed a polyp. I freaked and said "why are you calling me, what is wrong?" Usually doctors only call with bad news and especially when it is after hours. He started laughing and said he just wanted to tell me personally that everything was ok. He said the polyp was a bit "bizarre" but nothing to worry about. He knew I had a lot on my plate now and he didn't want me to have to make an extra trip back to his office for the results. He even told me I could wait 2 years till my next colonoscopy. Whoo hoo. Believe it or not, the one I had on Friday was number 14.
My colon cancer seems like a piece of cake now compared to what this BC will bring. I know I sound like a winey baby. With the 8 months I took chemo for the colon cancer, except for uncontrollable diarrhea I had no other side effects. I had to take shots of sandostatin monthly and daily doses of liquid opium to control the diarrhea, but that seems like a walk in the park compared to hair loss and vomit!
I think it is time to go take a Xanax before I have a nervous breakdown. As my oncologist would say "Better Living Through Chemistry!"
I will write again tomorrow after my meeting.
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VegasDiva....First appointment always produces anxiety. Let one of you to take notes, even better write some of your questions down. Leave enough space between while you are getting the answers your boy friend can write it down and you can pay more attention.
Politely interrupt the DR if you are not sure what he or she is saying.
Good Luck. Ill be thinking of you.
Hugs
Sheila
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Good luck tomorrow, Vegasdiva! I'll be thinking of you and sending positive energy! Make sure you take notes, ask questions, and that you understand the answers. It is not easy, but you can do it. (((HUGS)))
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hannabearsmom,
Good eye noticing we were diagnosed the same day. So far so good on the exchange, I just started itching from the gauze under the wrap. Will look forward to take this off tomorrow. I know what you mean about wanting to get exchange already. I hope the implant wan't be as hard as the te and also that I don't have any implant under my armpit. Can't tell yet.
vegasdiva, good luck at your appt tomorrow. I'm glad you have someone to go with you because there were things said that I did not remember but DH did. Ask lots of questions and make sure you understand what dr. is saying. Mine mumbled a bit to herself but eventually explained things.
getting tired again, better go to bed soon. Take care ladies.
Kelley
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Vegas Diva, hello! We have very similar dx more than 1 actually, I remember the anxiety of more tx, I chose not to do chemo again, did rads, the side effects of that reminded me of shingles (rash, itchy and crazed nerve endings.) You found a good place here.
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(((((((((((((((((((WHOLE ROOM))))))))))))))))))
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Deb...Finally I got it, meant you changed the avatar.
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Valjean - I went topless (bald) from my first chemo treatment and am loving my hair growing back...Sometimes I do wonder if other people have had cancer or what they think when they see me but pretty much I just smile and go on my merry way. I am however OBSESSED with breasts right now and catch myself checking out cleavage and wondering if 'they are real or fake?' and comparing my new foobs to everyone elses...of course they are new and I really hope I will get over this obsession soon...maybe after I get the new fipples I bought on ebay...
Vegasdiva - take a voice recorder if you can...about a week after my first appointment I was ready was ready to 'really' listen again to what was said and was better prepared to ask questions about specifics after reviewing the recording several times...sometimes we hear what we want to hear or just shut down if we hear something that scares us...I know I do. All of my doc's were fine with me recording the appointments, especially at all my initial consults.
Ronna - I went to PT for 1 month three times a week and except for a bicycle like machine for my arms, they did not have anything more to offer then what I could do at home with a ball and some stretch bands...my insurance has a $25 co-pay so at $75 a week I decided to just continue with the same stretching exercises at home...One good exercise is to walk your fingers up the wall as high as you can and each day try to go a little bit higher.
KAC - congrat's on your exchange...sending you healing hugs!
HUGS to ALL and Have a GOOD NIGHT!
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nanaiq- Karen... I just want to say Good Luck for Friday and Ill be thinking of you.
Here is a good luck pink Smiley Face. You will be fine.
(((Hugs))) Sheila
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Hi Michelle. So nice to see you.
Good Night sisters!
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Vegasdiva
My thoughts are with you.
Hannahbears Mom - You did not scare me at all, I loved that you responded.
O2bhealthy, My arm has not stopped moving. I have been to PT many other times, I believe I can do it myself.
To all my BC sisters - Please have a calm and soothing day.
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Santa arrived and even set my gift up.
Last night we went to my company Christmas party and I won a nice digital camera. Now I can take really good pics and post them. Well I could if I could "plan" the pics well they might be really good. I tried to jiggle the camera while I was taking a pic and it still focused.
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Michelle ~ Thank you for replying to my post. I'd been considering deleting it, at least that portion, just kept thinking I shouldn't have said that; seems trivial compared to what some of my sisters are experiencing...
Meece ~ You won a camera?!? YAY for you!!!
Here are my little villages, if I can do it right.
The town is Dickens & the other is the North Pole series, all Department 56. I have more Dickens, but didn't put them all out.
Well, apparently I don't know how to do it!! I want to use pictures from my Windows Photo Gallery & guess I'll have to keep trying. I'll look back on previous posts to find directions. Have other things to do right now, so will try later.
{{hugs}}
Valerie
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Valjean, I read many of your posts and just realised you live nearby. I am originally from Morenci MI, but live in Wauseon now. I am very familar with Owosso! Anyway, wanted to introduce myself, Neighbor!!
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I feel so light-headed! I cut off nine inches of my hair today and will mail it to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths to make a lovely cancer wig. I didn't need that hair anyway.
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Good for you!! You should feel light headed!!
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When I was first DX my hair was very long. I wanted to do it, but couldn't find a beauty parlor.
I wasn't aware of then that you could actually send it out.
Well Elimar, you did something very special.
Hugs
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Sheila,
You are a sweetheart! Thank you for remembering me. Last night my daughter threw me a wine, hat, and scarf party. There were probably 20 women there and we had so much fun. It was just what the dr ordered. I am a 4th grade teacher, and this was a busy weekgetting grades posted and mid semester paper work.We are supposed to work half day Saturday as well. I worked my butt off and got everything done since I knew I would be out for my first treatment tomorrow and might not feel up to going on Sat. Told my co-worker who is supposedly by friend at work (?) bye and Merry Christmas. She replied, "Oh, so you've already decided you're not gonna come on Saturday?" I said, "I'm not sure" and she said in a very condescending tone "Well, the first one is no big deal!"
Well, maybe not for HER!!!!!!!!!! The woman has no social skills, is extremely analytical, and has no flippin compassion.I'm sorry. I had to vent and I think I feel better. I have 20 people who came last night to encourage me(not her, she said oh no ya'll have fun I dont even want an invitation) and my husband and oldest daughter will be there with me tomorrow to hold my hand. And you girls are sending good vibes my way. I CAN DO THIS!
hugs
Karen
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You can do it. It isn't the physical side of the first treat ment that takes the biggest toll. However, a few days later you may feel SEs. Mentally, it can totally exhaust you. So do only what you feel up to, and with friends like that, you don't need enemies.
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Where are you?
Gcarter.....
Denverdiva.....
cake is great.......
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nanaiq♥ YES you can do this. These boards and also the chat room are my therapy.
Hugs to you.
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Hello Ladies! I guess I get to join the club now. I am 57 - just turned 58 actually. I have a loving husband of 39 years and a wonderful 21 y/o son. I jumped on the BC train on 10/22 after a callback from a routine mammogram. I was stunned as there was no BC in my family and I had never worried about it. I opted for the lumpectomy w/SNB on 11/4 (I wanted to move fast and get that thing out!). Surgeon told me all went well and I was expecting just radiation, but when asked him for a copy of the pathology report and read "extensive lymphatic involvement", "poorly differentiated", and learned it was a grade 3 cancer, I was concerned, and thought chemo might be in the picture to help out with that. Had the OncotypeDX and scored 26, so I started chemo (TC x 4 every 3 wks) on 12.09. I don't mind whatever I have to go through short term to insure a good long term outcome, so bring it on is my attitude. My worry is the grade 3 and reoccurrence in a couple of years. I know that will always be nagging in the back of my mind. But the odds for me are so good at 8.5%, it's hard to ask for much better, so I will go with that as much as I can.
I'm on day 9 of TC. Cut my hair short (myself!) a couple of days ago to get ready. (It looks cute!) I understand I have 5 days left of hair, so I will enjoy it while I have it. Some friends took me to lunch today and a cancer survivor now out of treatment loaned me her gorgeous wig, and I ordered one of those beautiful free $72 silk scarf head wraps from FranceLuxe. Tomorrow I'll get my UnderArmour skull cap, and I think I'll be ready for the fallout.
Anway, I just wanted to say hi, and thanks for being here for this journey. It makes it a little easier.
Meg
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Meg....Welcome to our group. you sound very positive, ready to take the journey.
We are bunch of sisters here, we listen, we worry, we laugh, we vent.
I also had a lumpectomy with SNB.
Best Wishes for the rest of your journey.
Sheila
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deborye, love that picture.
Welcome Meg-you sound postive; trust me that helps. I did the TC also-last treatment 9-10-09 and finished rads 11-13-09. Now on Femara. My FranceLuxe head wrap is probably my favorite "scarf" I have. Never did do the wig thing, had one, but just didn't like that whole idea-I preferred the "biker chick" look. Now that's colder I've got the knit caps down to a science. Grab, pull down, head out!
Hope everyone else is up to snuff.
Joni
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Deborye:I LOVE that picture!!
Meg:Sorry you had to join us on this BC journey but you have found a very caring and supportive group here. Welcome
.I too think that your positive outlook will be a plus for you. Take care.TCK
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