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Comments

  • maryna8
    maryna8 Member Posts: 1,832
    edited December 2016

    Cocker,

    I heard of your troubles, I want to add my positive thoughts and prayers for healing to all the rest, you are certainly loved, I have been reading posts here and feeling the love! As everyone here is in your large pocket, you are always in everyone's mind and heart, for sure.

    Mary

  • gmmiph
    gmmiph Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2016

    Hi Cathy,

    I am sorry to hear about your breast pains. We all know that there is no guarantee when it comes to this awful illness. I am sure you have your periodic checkups and scans. If none is found on these tests, then you should try complementary and alternative medicine like acupuncture and maybe reflexology. Chinese meds have a variety of herbs that can relieve you of the pain. If orthodox meds cant do it, it is time to shift elsewhere. Just my suggestion.

    Take care friend,

    Gina

  • meadow
    meadow Member Posts: 998
    edited December 2016

    Val and Cathy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 394
    edited December 2016

    Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes❤️

  • Shopgal2
    Shopgal2 Member Posts: 594
    edited December 2016

    Cathy like you I had no pain during my lumpectomy, reexcision, chemo , or rads. Then about 6 mo post rads I started having pain which turned out to be costocondroitis. Maybe you are feeling nerve endings regenerating or are just using your hand on that side too much which is causing pain in your chest? I know when I was dx with costocondroitis my ro said rads is the gift that also keeps giving. I still say I'd like to give that gift back but no takers on this end. Oh well.

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 833
    edited December 2016

    Thanks everyone. I so appreciate your wishes..

    Shopgal I had no idea until afterwards that radiation kept giving and surgery too. I was so worried about getting through chemo, thinking that was the worst of it

    Val

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited December 2016

    Happy (belated) birthday Val and Cathy!

    Hope all here feel well and had a good weekend! (in spite of our aches and pains and worries!)

    Hugs from NYC


  • gmmiph
    gmmiph Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2016

    image

  • SA8PG
    SA8PG Member Posts: 280
    edited December 2016

    Love that banner gmmiph!!!

    Cocker you are in my prayers & thoughts!!!!

    Happy Belated bday to Val & Cathy as well.

    Adarkaptedi I was reading your post and agree. Time is going so quickly. I am 2 years out from last chemo and I got my first facial since being diagnosed. I found myself getting very emotional. Thankful to be well enough to have a facial and then I got sad remembering the 3 young bc survivor friends funerals I attended this year.

    I'm so thankful we have this thread as a place to share and encourage one another. There is no place quite like this one.

    Have a great week everyone. :)

    G

  • Cocker_Spaniel
    Cocker_Spaniel Member Posts: 1,188
    edited December 2016

    Well ladies so much for those darn results. Was supposed to go yesterday to the specialist but results were not in and they are usually very quick. Was told today the results, if in, go to the oncologists meeting today and then I see the specialist again on Friday at 10.40am. I could have phoned for the results today but decided I wanted to live in blissful unawareness until Friday. Much to my chagrin I had to fish those flipping Dexamethasone pills out of the bin because they told me they would help with my not being able to swallow much water. Well all they did was keep me awake all night. I went to bed, got up, sat in the conservatory read a chapter of my book then went back to bed. Got up again, sat in the conservatory, read another chapter and that went on all night. I didn't want to finish my book that quick cause it was so good but it was finished by morning. On top of that the old feller was moaning that I kept pulling the duvet off him every time I got up. I told him he was a miserable sod managing to sleep without me, which he didn't hear because of snoring so I picked up the very sleepy dog and took her with me for company. I should have remembered what that Dexa does from my first bout of cancer. I'm having trouble drinking enough water as it makes me cough so I'm sucking lemonade popsicles by the box load. Getting a bit breathless but that is to be expected. The pain killers half work but I'm only taking half the dose (that figures). I don't want to get too dependent on them though in case I need the full dose later. I really miss my work and my work mates as I love them all but I'm finding it very blissful staring out the window all day gazing into space twiddling my hair around my fingers (well I haven't brought a new book yet). I can't talk on the phone much because my voice is barely there and I think the old feller is secretly enjoying that lol. But and this is a big BUT, my granddaughter Jessica has told me she is nearly three months pregnant. You can imagine my joy. Now I have something to live and fight for cause I ain't going until I have seen and held that little bub.

    Will update you all again on Friday so in the meantime, keep well, keep fighting and most of all keep living there is plenty of wonderful things around the corner for you ladies yet. I love you all and I'm so pleased you are in my life with me and deep in my pocket (and the basket). xxooxx

  • gmmiph
    gmmiph Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2016

    imageYay Cocker, glad to hear from you!

    Keeping everybody in suspense, those lab tests of yours. I am wondering if my head will go bald first before that.

    So you have a great grand child to look forward to, that's awesome! Maybe it's a sign from Him for you to keep on going.

    Your pocket is already SRO. Prayers and good thoughts abound.

    Keep up the good spirit.

    We love you.

    Gina


  • allydp
    allydp Member Posts: 361
    edited December 2016

    Annie - what wonderful news about your granddaughter!!! You WILL hold that little bub!!! Will this make you an official great grandmother or do your other grandchildren have children? I'm so sorry you're having to deal with the crappy side effects of steroids. I hate them too. Hopefully you're able to get some liquids down soon though. I'm not sure if you have Ensure drinks down there, but if your appetite isn't the greatest, those can be a great supplement once you can tolerate them. I'm glad you're home resting...even if you're having duvet wars with your old fellar. :) We're all here for you when you get your results. And we'll all be here for you when you put your treatment plan into motion and kick cancer back to the curb. Sending all my love. xo

    Happy Birthday to you both, Val and Cathy!

  • ALHusband
    ALHusband Member Posts: 342
    edited December 2016

    Cocker it was nice to see your big BUT! LOL!

  • Cocker_Spaniel
    Cocker_Spaniel Member Posts: 1,188
    edited December 2016

    OMG how could I forget to say Happy Birthday to Val and Cathy. So sorry ladies but I hope you both had an awesome day.

    Thanks Mike that made me giggle. But aren't you about to become a granddad.

    Ally thank you so much. First call this morning was from the oncologist who wants to see me urgently on Monday afternoon. It's small cell lung cancer and the thought of going through chemo again fills me with dread. So tomorrow it's the respiratory specialist, Monday morning I have to see my GP, then a visit to the support office to get assistance with travel funds and then onco in the afternoon. Quite a full itinerary that I have zilch energy for. I will be a great Nana to my granddaughters babe, its the only thing keeping me going plus one other little babe (((???))) I am waiting for.

  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 394
    edited December 2016

    Annie...how like you to feel sorry because you forgot our birthdays‼️ You are truly such an amazing woman. Well, at least you have a diagnosis and a plan to be formulated. I hate to ask you questions, but is it unrelated to the TNBC?

    They say we are given only what we can handle...but I wonder about that. I wish you didn't have to deal with upcoming chemo and all that comes along with this disgusting disease.

    I'm sure others here will have wise and supportive words for you...I am just sorry and without words. However, you do have my love, caring and constant prayer.

    You just need to stay strong for those little ones ‼️I have no doubt that you will be an extraordinary Nana. ❤️

  • Cocker_Spaniel
    Cocker_Spaniel Member Posts: 1,188
    edited December 2016

    Cathy you can ask me any questions that you want. I don't know if its related to TNBC but I will ask tomorrow and let you know. I've got a feeling it's not but I could be wrong. Yes I wonder too about the saying we only get what we can handle because I am barely handling this, not even going day by day but minute by minute at the moment. Your words are always wise and supportive and your caring and constant prayer are a great blessing to me. I thank you and each of the ladies on here for all of the love and hugs which I so badly need at the moment. xxxxx

  • gmmiph
    gmmiph Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2016

    image

  • gmmiph
    gmmiph Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2016

    Hi Cathytoo,

    I am just wondering what happened to your breast/shoulder pains? Did you try turmeric?

    My hubby's chronic back pain was relieved and my arthritic knees got better with it.

    We tried it for two weeks, we took about 1/2 inch peeled & grated raw turmeric, 1/4 tsp freshly crushed peppercorns and a tsp of raw wild honey or stevia to lessen the bitter taste. The turmeric must be raw, to get most of the curcumin from it.

    We also use turmeric, ginger, garlic and coconut milk in most of our veggie stew and soups now.

    I have already tried the Turmeric Smoothie recipes i gave you, and they tasted fantastic!

    Maybe you can also buy the Curcumin capsules with the highest stable curcumin percentage content available.

    I consulted both my Breast Surgeon and MO if it is ok to use turmeric, they both approved it, just use it in moderation.

    Curcumin Benefits

    Just my suggestion, I hope this helps.

    Gina


  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited December 2016

    Dear Annie,

    The new baby is surely an exciting distraction to think about! I am not a grandma, - but I hope to one day join that club!!

    You are so much like family to all of us, - how we wish we could make you all better!!

    Do what ever makes you comfortable, and be GOOD to yourself. You are wise and compassionate and so well spoken, - you never cease to amaze us.

    Hugs to you, - and your 'ole feller', too!


  • aterry
    aterry Member Posts: 142
    edited December 2016

    This is to share a link with you all that is a thumbnail description of the research that my MO is conducting and that I'm participating in. I hope that's OK. It is somewhat hopeful that more research seems to be happening in the TN area.

    https://www.bcrfcure.org/researchers/hanna-irie

  • ALHusband
    ALHusband Member Posts: 342
    edited December 2016

    Cocker yes I am going to be a granddad (April 1 is the due date. Yes, April fool's day) and I found out yesterday it's going to be a boy!

  • gmmiph
    gmmiph Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2016

    image

  • gmmiph
    gmmiph Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2016

    image

  • Luvmydobies
    Luvmydobies Member Posts: 476
    edited December 2016

    Cocker I have been busy at the Doberman rescue so haven't had time to be on the board until tonight. I am so glad you posted and love hearing your stories about your old feller! It's just good to hear from you, period! You're on my mind every day and are first on my prayer list! I agree with Another that you are so well spoken, compassionate and you truly amaze us constantly! We're always here for you, as you know! Love you sooo much!!! I know you'll update when you can after your appointments so until then, try to just hang in there!! Well...ALWAYS try and hang in there, but you know what I mean... XOXOXO!!

    Hugs and prayers for all you awesome ladies and men!! XOXOXO!!


  • Shopgal2
    Shopgal2 Member Posts: 594
    edited December 2016

    cocker so good to hear from you. I am hoping when you meet with the mo on Monday that he will have a good treatment plan. I smiled reading about your duvet wars with your old feller. And huzzahs to you and al husband on new grand babies. That truely is a blessing.

    Happy weekend to all. Its really getting cold here in philly and just in time for the holidays. This past Sunday I saw the Macy's holiday light show in center city phila with my sisters. I hadn't seen it since I was a little girl and visited the city with my mom. I thought about her while watching the show and can't believe she's been gone 3 months. After the show we went to the Christmas village shops that were set up outside of our city hall. There were little tent booths set up with local crafts and foods for the holiday. Plus there was an ice skating rink there too. I was feeling adventurous to try ice skating for the first time but my sisters were not. I kept thinking the whole afternoon that this time last year I was getting my last chemo and had neuropathy so bad I could barely walk. What a difference a year makes.

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 74
    edited December 2016

    I haven't started Taxol yet. I'm wondering for those that have already done Taxol or are doing Taxol now, what were / are you side effects? What have you been doing / taking for your side effects? Let's discuss.

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 833
    edited December 2016

    HI amw5 I finished taxol back in april. I found it much more tolerable than AC. I took claritan (not the D) for bone pain. I started on the day of chemo. It was recommended by my MO and NP. It really worked. The bone pain was intense for me for about 4 days. with the claritan it was so much better.

    Hydration, and some iced to avoid neuropathy. Don't want to be negative, but I iced fingers and toes (with frozen veggies in a sock , the nurses helped with it) and i still have a pretty bad case of neuropathy in my hands. So I guess if i had not iced, i would have it worse. Overall I found it much easier than AC and when it was over I felt better quickly.

    My hair started growing back on taxol. There is a taxol thread, but I think it has slowed down.

    Just my 2 cents.

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited December 2016

    Hi to all here!

    amw5, - I also found taxol easier than AC. I didnt have bone pain, and was ok with side effects. I was advised to eat foods rich in magnesium to help prevent neuropathy. I hope you, too, find taxol to be better than AC! Good luck!

  • vlh
    vlh Member Posts: 773
    edited December 2016

    I'm glad you asked about Taxol, Amw5. I knew to take Claritin related to the Neulasta I've taken with AC, but didn't know it could also help with Taxol bone pain. Good info, Valstim52. It's disappointing that the icing didn't prevent neuropathy, but I'm hoping it might help with nail damage.

    Lyn

  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 526
    edited December 2016

    I did the weekly taxol. I found it harder than AC, but maybe because my AC was every three weeks, instead of every two like most people. I ended up being allergic to taxol too, so I am not the norm. I had 3-4 neupogen shots a week on taxol, slight neuropathy, nails partially lifted, constipation (the opposite after I became allergic). I'd have to look at my list to see what else. Yes, I kept a list, in case I ever go through this again.

    Thinking of you, Cocker

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