Donate to Breastcancer.org when you checkout at Walgreens in October. Learn more about our Walgreens collaboration.

Calling all TNs

12882892912932941190

Comments

  • Lynn18
    Lynn18 Member Posts: 284
    edited September 2011

    Suze, I hope you still hang out with us.  You are right, this is a great thread, and I think you are one of the favorites on here.  

  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 626
    edited September 2011

    Oh Suze, we would miss you terribly if you dropped this thread. You have a lot of knowledge, wisdom and spiritedness to share. I know the stage 4 gals will give you great support, but by all means, hang out here too!

  • Babs37
    Babs37 Member Posts: 320
    edited September 2011

    Suze- You read my PM. You know how I feel Cry. I am sure that you can feel the love and support here today. We will all be there for you through this battle. Take good care. (((Hugs)))

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited September 2011

    Suze- my heart truly hurts for you. All I can do is send a hug and my support.

  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 559
    edited September 2011

    You all are such wonderful women, thank you Cry.

    I have an appointment tomorrow at Dana Farber, and I'll be bringing along my clinical trial collection to see if any would be a good fit.  (I've been surfing trials for awhile, trying to be ready.)  I know Dr. Winer works out of DF, and it is a great facility, so I will start there and see what they say. 

    I'm not giving up - I promise!  I will fight until the bitter end.  I refuse to give timeframes to any of my family because it is my goal to be that outlier Tongue out

    I'll let you all know how it goes.

  • mitymuffin
    mitymuffin Member Posts: 242
    edited September 2011
    Suze, please let us know what you learn at Dana Farber. Its such a great hospital.  Sending you love..
  • RJ70
    RJ70 Member Posts: 8
    edited September 2011

    Suze, Praying for you and you family. Remenber to take one day at time, and try to enjoy everyone of them.

  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 743
    edited September 2011

    Suze praying for you!  Stay strong and positive, like others said alot of woman have lived a long time with stage 4.  ((HUGS))

  • swiftbird
    swiftbird Member Posts: 78
    edited September 2011
    Suze, I agree with our fellow travelers here.  Please stay connected with us TN ladies.  I am sorry for this news for you.  (((Suze)))))  Stay strong.  I'm in for NYC!!!!
  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 495
    edited September 2011

    We've hit page 300 doing what we do best - supporting each other. What a great bunch.

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited September 2011

    Oh man Suze...don't even think of not staying on your home thread...we would just follow you anyway..so you may as well just stick with us...sounds like you  are in good hands with the best doctors in the country...

    Cancer really sucks.

    NYC in the spring sounds good.I've never been there so I will be anxious to go with all of you that know the city well...

  • sugar77
    sugar77 Member Posts: 1,328
    edited September 2011

    Suze - been thinking about you a lot today. It sounds like you're getting top notch medical care and I hope you can get into a trial to kick the cancer's butt.  (((((((hugs))))))))

    I'm in for the spring in NYC! 

  • hec2
    hec2 Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2011

    Hi all - this is my first post although I've been lurking for a while. I'm 49, finished ADC (4x2) and now going through weekly Taxol x 12. Had my 3rd taxol treatment on Monday and was told my red blood cell count is low - possibly might need a transfusion. WBC is good at 4.64. I also have started to put on 2 to 3 lbs a week since starting the taxol - my oncologist thinks it might be the weekly steroids. Me I'm paranoid it might be a symptom of something else happening.

    Had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders 6/3/2011. Discovered I was BRCA 2 positive 6/2/2011 and so lickety-split squeezed in a hysterectomy Davinci Robotics style on 7/1/2011 and 10 days later started chemo.  Tissue expanders are filled and ready to be popped out in December if all goes well. Can anyone think of any reason to keep my port? If not I want it out too!

    Looking for any help or suggestions out there on the weight gain and the low red blood cell count, or anything else you can think of.

    Sending warm, positive thoughts out to everyone on this forum!!  

  • rachelvk
    rachelvk Member Posts: 564
    edited September 2011

    Suze - I'm pretty new and haven't gotten to know too many people on the boards, but my thoughts and prayers go out to you. Good luck with Dana Farber.

  • lrm216
    lrm216 Member Posts: 534
    edited September 2011

    Suze:

    This is just beyond words - just so sick to my stomach at reading your post.  This is each of our worst nightmare and to know it's come true for you is just heartbreaking.  You have been so strong, and I know that you will continue to be, and with the winning team you have leading you, I want so much for this to turn out well for you - every step of the way.  Please know that you are in my heart, my thoughts and my prayers.  So easy for any of us to type the words - keep fighting, Suze, keep fighting, while realizing how hard all of this has been and how fruitless it may seem at times, but I type them anyway, Suze - keep fighting, dear sister, and never, never stop.  We are all here for you and rooting you on - every day - even though you may not be aware of it.  There is great strength in numbers, and you certainly have all of us offering up all that we have to give. 

    To Kymn and Christina:  Never, never think that this is your fault or due to your cancer.  Each of you have become, through necessity alone, much, much stronger women.  It is they that are weak and pathetic characters, and to choose such a time as this to put you through even more than life has already hit you with says all there is to say about what type of human beings they are.  Be strong, and know that as dark as it may seem right now, there is sunshine ahead for both of you.  Try to hang on to that fact - no pain lasts forever, you will get past this, and there will be better things ahead.

    My love to all -

    Linda

    P.S. Titan:  If your mom doesn't feel you have enough time for her with working full time, sending a child off to college and getting another one married, just pull the time out of your "arse" sweetie, that's just what my mom expects me to do too! 

    On a positive side - running on empty for about 15 hrs. each day, between working full time and raising a teenager that does not yet drive, and do all that I can for my mom on top of this, I figure I have to live a long time, as I can't possibly fit dying into my schedule at all.  

  • Kelley41
    Kelley41 Member Posts: 41
    edited September 2011

    Laurajane & Suze - thinking of you both today as I start my day....

    hec2 - wieght gain would be consistent with the chemo, steroids, and everything your body is going thru.  I was less active during my treatments and put on some weight.  It will come off... 

  • lwarstler
    lwarstler Member Posts: 123
    edited September 2011

    Suze: Just sorrier than words can say for your new dx. Your attitude is amazing and a real inspiration inspite of it all. Good luck at DF, my thoughts and prayers will be with you.

    Kymn and Christina: The problem isn't your cancer, its their characters. I wish there was a way to just shake them and get them to see how insane they are.

    hec2: I don't start my chemo until next week, so I'm not sure, but welcome to the thread. There are a number of really knowledable ladies that I'm sure will be able to speak more to your questions. 

    NYC!! That sounds great, I have been wanting to get up there to see my grandmother and aunt, so I would love to join in the fun. 

  • Paintingmywaythru
    Paintingmywaythru Member Posts: 221
    edited September 2011

    Suze: Don't stop doing what you are doing. You have an amazing strength and Dana Farber is tops. We all know that. I am jsut so sorry to hear the news and so wished it would have been different. Please stay with us. You are such a strong part of this group and we are all hare loving and caring for you.

    I know you will have many tough decisions to make but you go drive that car and drive your treatment too. I know you are assertive and will read up on everything you can to get the best possible care and treatment there is.

    This whole thing truly sucks and I am just so sad to hear this. Having met you I think you have the strength and wisdom of 100 women and  want you to use it and our collective energy to take the best of care there is.

    Love and hugs to you.

  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 626
    edited September 2011

    hec2: Low blood counts and weight gain is very typical while going through chemo and your onc is staying on top of all that, I would expect. 

    Suze: Thinking of you today at DF.... 

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 496
    edited September 2011

    Suze: thought about you all night girlie. Sending good vibes your way....

  • Flautalee
    Flautalee Member Posts: 46
    edited September 2011

    Hec2--Just ask your doc about taking out your port. In 2000 they took mine right out, but I suspect the docs are recommending keeping them in longer. Let us know what he or she says. Ultimately it's your own body!

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 496
    edited September 2011

    Hec2--just a suggestion wait until exchange surgery to limit multiple surgeries. December is not to far away.

  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 3,671
    edited September 2011

    Suze:  I am hoping that DF will be able to find the best possible treatment and game plan for you.  Stay strong in the fight-you have all of us here fighting with you!  Hugs!!!

    Linda:  Thank you for putting into words how we all feel-Hugs to you!!!

  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 3,671
    edited September 2011

    Hec2:  Welcome to the group-you will find much help and support here by an amazing group of women!  Weight gain is very common during chemo, so hang in there and when you are done  come join us on the TN Ten Pounds Take Off thread.  Personally, I would keep the port in until December-I didn't have one and it's pure hell finding veins to even take a little blood now.  We have to go through enough surgeries and this just eliminates an extra one.  Hugs!

  • Paintingmywaythru
    Paintingmywaythru Member Posts: 221
    edited September 2011

    A quick queston to all...what are you going to do about getting a flu shot?

    Thanks.

  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 3,671
    edited September 2011

    Painting:  Never had one, don't plan to start.  I am the supplement queen so I don't think it's necessary.  Can't do it while undergoing chemo either.  I would ask your dr.

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited September 2011

    My onc said it was a good idea to get the flu shot...so I have had one for the past two years..it doesn't hurt and I've never had any after effects either...not have I gotten any kind of flu!

    Check with your doctor.

  • lwarstler
    lwarstler Member Posts: 123
    edited September 2011

    I just got the flu shot. My onc and family doctor told me "of all people, you really need it." I got it for the first time last year with no side effects, so I just got mine again. FYI, my kids and I got the shot last year...no flu...my big strong scared of a needle husband didn't get it and got the flu, so I do believe it works.

  • Babs37
    Babs37 Member Posts: 320
    edited September 2011

    Last year, while on Taxol, my onc recommended that I get the flu shot and it was recommended that everyone close to me (DS,DH and family) get it as well to reduce chances I get thr flu since my immune system was low. I didn't have any SE from it.

  • OBXK
    OBXK Member Posts: 689
    edited September 2011

    Suzy35 - Damn and Blast! I am so sorry to hear your news, but it doesn't seem like you are letting any moss grow. Wishing you the strength you need. A NYC trip in the spring, sounds fun. I use to go all the time when I was younger, and could fly People's Express, for $29 each way.



    TifJ - thanks for sharing.



    Healing thoughts to you who are in treatment or broken hearted.

    Karen