Calling all TNs
Comments
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Welcome , CatWhispurrer! Love the avatar! I have 2 black kittens, both girls, both long-haired, not related. One is 7 mos. old and one is 14-15 weeks old. I have a third kitty, a 7 mo old short-haired tabby calico, also not related to the other 2. I just meant to have the 2, but went to a cat show and a local shelter had a booth with kitties for adoption and I couldn't resist another sweet-faced long-haired black kitty (with extra toes!). I'll post pics.
I absolutely hated the delay and mine was "only" a month. I would have been out of my mind waiting as long as you have. I knew it was aggressive and was terrified the delay was going to get me killed. (((hugs))) So glad you've managed to light a fire under their behinds.
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My 3 kitties, in order: Lucy at 8 weeks and 7 months; Lovey (7 months) playing in the basket; Swiffer, aka Baby Girl, on the cat tree, and Swiffer and Lovey snoozing in the cat tree. Swiffer got her name for her habit of crawling into tight spaces and coming out covered in cobwebs - it was either that or Mama's L'il Dustmop.
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Sorry MacFry! My bad...
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Tina, welcome. I completely understand your fears and frustrations. Once you are in treatment, you will feel much better, guaranteed. I had almost a month wait from when I found the lump to diagnosis, then another month to surgery, then another month to the second surgery I had to have. Then 3 weeks to chemo... so it can be a long anxiety-ridden haul. All I can say is, I forced myself into a role I'm not generally comfortable with - being a bug to my various docs - and that helped.
Please bear in mind, too, that various scans often turn up conflicting results because they image the tumour differently. An MRI showing a larger tumour size a few weeks after another scan does not necessarily mean your tumour has grown that much that fast... it may simply be more or less accurate.
It's good to hear you have a surgery date - you're on your way to beating this thing.
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Here kitty kitty kitty.... always loved a black cat!
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Cute cats! Perhaps we need a cat thread to show our cat pix and tell stories. Heidi - our cat likes to sit under the tree - could be she thinks she's outside. One year when the boys were little, one of them let her in from outside and she had a bird in her mouth. She went straight to the tree and looked like she was going to leave it there. I yelled open the door, picked up the cat (with the bird in her mouth) and threw her outside. The landing must have jarred her, as she let go of the bird and it flew away. It is a story that we re-visit every year even though the "boys" are 22 and 23 now. I also told the story every year ar preschool - the little kids loved hearing it.
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Heidi, That Christmas cat on the right looks like a troublemaker! LOL! (I know that "look" well - my short haired cat is a mischief maker.) Do they get along with your Bostons? I have one black cat who loves to play with the small dog.
Carolyn, Love the pics! That's a great cat tree and looks like they really enjoy it.
One of the things I've been doing during the last few months is making cat beds. I ordered $100 worth of flannel fabric in animal prints and got my ancient sewing machine out. I got a book, "Me and My Sewing Machine" which is really for beginners - perfect for me. It has been really relaxing. I just got back from getting bloodwork - white counts very low and anemic - so I was advised NOT to clean the house as planned this weekend and rest. I think I will spend some time sewing. I want to make some cat beds for a friend who has come by to help with litter boxes and cleaning when I've been the sickest from chemo.
I've got a full day of work to do, so I better get busy!
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christina- sadly, the Bostons do not get along with them; they have a very strong prey drive so, for the first time in my life I am having to keep the cats and dogs separate--- luckily not too hard to do with my home set-up.
The cat on the right is/was my son's. We have temporary custody. She was a former "Philadelphia Street Cat".
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Been looking for word from Laura Jane. Anyone hear anything lately?
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Thanks for the welcome everyone. I just got back from my PET/CT scan. I hope to hear the results before my surgery next Wednesday.
Jazz, I am about running out of patience after 2.5 months but trying. As Carolyn said, I am just about going out of my mind with waiting.. Will be so glad to start treatment.
Glad to see Titan is a cat lover too. Thanks for starting this thread. Luah, thanks for the advice too about the size of the tumor and being more proactive with the docs. I have a nurse navigator now and she is helping me keep things moving along. I really need to learn to speak up more, which like Luah, I have a hard time doing. I hope when surgery comes, the lump isn't any bigger. Yes, I think I will feel better once surgery is over. I know then I am on the way. I am sure I'll have lots of questions for you all about chemo. I have had long hair my whole life so trying to decide what to do before I lose it. I am looking to first cut it off and donate it.
Love the kitty pictures and I would love to see the kitty beds. What a great idea. I am also an artist and have done paintings, some of which are on my website catwhispurrer.org. Carolyn, the little guy in my avatar is a kitten I rescued earlier this year. The mom (who looks so much like your Lucy) had kittens when she was incarcerated at the local kill shelter, so I got them out and fostered them because they would have died or been killed. I was president for the local humane society for 9 years and fostering cats/kittens for about 11 years. I've fostered almost 350. I am glad I only ended up with the 8 I have now (3 are long-term fosters) as I wanted to keep most of them lol! I have 2 dogs too. I've heard or read somewhere that I am going to be asked not to clean litterboxes? That may be a problem as I have 10 of them that I clean 2x/day! I was told not to foster right now too which breaks my heart. Fostering is hard work but so rewarding. I also got let go of my job of 12 years as a network engineer last year and started school as a vet tech just for the change and my age & lack of a degree was keeping me from finding another job in the computer world, which is a mostly-man world anyway. I just finished my first year of school and my first hands-on internship. I have a part-time job at a local vet. So, I don't know what this diagnoses and treatment is going to do to me financially. I am guessing that my job is going to be too dangerous to do during chemo. You can check out my fosters, some fosters from the clinic where I work, and the pictures of the rescued mom/kittens under the "adopted" at the link at www.petfinder.com/shelters/GA727.html
Thanks again everyone for the warm welcome and letting me into your private lives and thoughts. I am sure to find lots of help and inspiration from all of you.
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Catwhispurr - donating your hair is a lovely idea. I was a bit selfish and chose to create my own hairpiece out of my long hair. If you're interested, look up hatswithhair.com. I can tell you I wore it more than any scarf or hat or wig - and loved it.
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Luah, what a great idea. I don't think that was selfish at all. I didn't know there was such an option. I was going to donate my hair because I didn't want it to go to waste. I was worried it wouldn't be usable anyway because my hair is somewhat damaged (frizzy) from going gray and using semi-perm coloring. Which one did you opt for? the "Underhair" looks like it is the most versatile.
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We have two cats now...Carmella (the 10 year old) and Eddie (the 2 year old)..maybe someday I will be able to post a pic...I buy the little boy cat grass...he absolutely loves it...mostly he spends his days living in our bathroom..not sure why but that is where he hangs out.
Oh yeah..this is a tn thread..so...anyway...Tina..I love your baby...what a cutie.
Oh yeah..this is a tn thread...Riley..your cats are beautiful..have I told you lately I love your avator..ha ha.
I'm not working Fridays this entire month of December..yay me...we will be tagging our tree tomorrow...baking cookies..shopping..dinner party tomorrow night..yes my foot is better so I plan on wearing my high heel shoes...actually bought some hose to wear too...which is a first for me because I HATE hose...darn the new princess in England for bringing hosiery back!
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ks- kept wanting to hit the "Like" button! lol
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Tina, all 3 of my kitties were shelter kitties that were fostered, so I really appreciate those who donate their time and resources to the kitties. Lucy was a feral rescue trapped at 5 weeks and brought in for neuter, vaccinate and then planned to release her back to her colony. Thankfully, the lady at the no-kill shelter persuaded the lady looking after the colony that she was young enough to be tamed and have a long and happy life indoors. Lovey was part of a litter surrendered to the shelter at 6 weeks, and Swiffer's mom was dropped off at a different no-kill shelter pregnant, so she was actually born at the shelter and fostered until old enough to adopt out.
I saw the cat tree first on Overstock.com, but they were out, so I tracked it down from the manufacturer, KittyMansions.com. It was only $130 w/ free shipping, and stands 73 inches tall with 3 perches and a condo just below the perches. The bases is only 23 inches x 23 inches and is sturdy. I'm very pleased with it. And they currently have a holiday sale - 10% off with coupon code SANTA.
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Yes, I want to hit the "like" button too on all the cute kitty pic's!
I was reading some of the older posts to try to learn and not post dupicate questions. I saw that a lot of tn people report their tumors were painful. Mine started hurting a few weeks ago and both the onc and BS said it must be from the biopsy and my body healing as opposed to the tumor hurting. They said that cancer tumors don't hurt. The pain from the biopsy had been gone for a couple of weeks, so I didn't think that was it but who am I to know since this is all new??
I am meeting with my BS on Monday to go over plans for the surgery on Wednesday. He will do another US. Anyone have any good advice for questions I should ask before surgery?? I have a list started. Thanks!
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Hello all,
Am finally back after first chemo, next will be on 12/13. Will try to drop by more often.
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Thinking of LauraJane and Suze35~
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Yes---Thinking of LJ and Suze.
Catwhisp: I did not have pain until I had my annual Mammogram. Within a few hours my tumor(at the time I didn't know there was a tumor) was extremely painful and swollen and the same area on my skin became discolored...not a bruise but more like a reddish/brownish color. That was a wednesday and by saturday, when the pain, swelling and discoloration did not get better I called the clinic where I had the mammo. I told them of my issue, they put me on hold and came back with"call your doctor first thing Monday AM." And that is when I "knew"
Please bring someone with you to your appointment on Monday. Make sure you are clear on post op instructions, too.
Good Luck
Navy
Oh and by the way, for all you cat people, I am enjoying your photos. I do not have any pets and in general do not care for critters but do like seeing all of your sweet animals .
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Yes, thinking of Laurajane and Suze.
Naan, Good to see you! I hope you are doing ok with your chemo treatments.
Carolyn,
KittyMansions is great- good prices! I've been window shopping. I'm starting to feel rough from this clinical trial chemo and have a feeling I will be resting more often. I would love to have one of those trees next to my bed for my cat who loves to climb.
Catwhispurrer, I had some pain in my tumor following chemo treatments but not before - however about a year before I had had pain in that same area of the breast. Unfortunately I went to a surgeon who was dismissive and patronizing, "All women have pain in their breasts." (He didn't do my surgery BTW!) Good advice from Navy Mom about bringing someone along - my sister went with me to every appointment and still goes. I don't know how I would manage without her. She has been so wonderful to me during this.
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Christina, yes, survived the first due for my second on 12/13, can't wait til it's all over.
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Unfortunately, I do not have anyone to go with me on Monday. My family doesn't live around here and my hubby is too afraid to take much time off work. Since he needs to financially support us right now, I don't want him to fear for his job. I will take a tape recorder with me so he can listen later. My sister is flying in on Tuesday night to be with me for the surgery.
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Catwhispurrer, I went all by myself too, when i got the news, since hubby had to work and i wasn't sure what my result were gonna be like would've been nice to have someone there, but hey u do what u got to do
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Could you ask the doctor whether they could provide someone to take notes? My sister took notes for me. It really helped.
Christina, why are some docs so ignorant? My breasts never hurt, although I do know that some BC does hurt. Since your biopsy pain had subsided, I wouldn't expect it to start hurting from that again. During chemo, I could feel the lump getting softer and smaller, but it didn't hurt. I know our reactions are very individual, so docs shouldn't generalize instead of trying to find out what's going on in your particular case.
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Welcome to the family catwhispurrer...i too am a lover of cats as you can see from my avatar. You are in the scariest part of the journey but every step you take in the battle will empower you against the beast. I have finished 6 of my 8 treatments and there are studies that indicate doing taxol first then AC improve outcomes. I believe I read it at tnbcfoundation.org. That is another site I recommend to you as it is just for us Trip neg gals! Wishing you the best this week for your doc visits and surgery. You can always tape record what they say as well--perhaps with a cell phone. My Onc's office also has volunteers that are "sisters" who will take you to appts and such if you need it also American Cancer Society! Best wishes
Maggie
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My tumor hurt too...not all the time but mainly when I was stressed out (which was most of the time)... I was losing alot of weight also...plus my hair looked awful...people that didn't see me often tell me now that I didn't look good at all...even though my mammo was clear in August of 08 when I rec'd the letter telling me this I remember thinking that it couldn't be right..that something was wrong...I wish now that I would have gone to my GP and just had a complete physical and talked to him about my concerns...ah well..it doesn't matter now but I watch my daughter like a hawk...now that I know what to look for.
naan1004..you are having dose dense chemo right?
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Hi to everyone i don't post often.
Did anyone have pains after chemo and rads?
I have an ache/pain in the back of my thigh - been there about three weeks, gets worse as the day goes on. Feels like a strain but i haven't done anything to get that.0 -
It's been awhile since I've posted - my husband figured out who I was on here and read some of my posts on the Emotional Issues board, especially those dealing with our marriage... I've been meaning to delete all my posts and start again with a new user name, but haven't felt like starting over... So I've basically not been logging in.
But today is an important day for me - December 4th is the day I was diagnosed, and today marks three years out, and as far as I know, I am cancer-free. I've aged physically about 10 years in the past three, and I'm a completely different person, but I'm still here!!! So happy to be with my family. My youngest remembers none of it.
Aches and pains - the story of my life. Screwed up back and shoulder and ribs from surgeries, I'm sure chemo played a part as well. Pretty normal, I think, Bernie Ellen.
Tumor pain - yes, mine hurt. A lot. And of course I was told that meant it couldn't be cancer... I think the aggressive ones like TN grow so fast that they do hurt.
Suze and LJ, hope you all are doing well.
Happy Holidays everyone! This month has filled me with dread the past few years, but finally I think I can enjoy this season a little better now, thanks to the passage of time, and my good buddy Cymbalta
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