Calling all TNs
Comments
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Hi ! sorry i haven't kept up with you all and i pray that everyone is doing well. i am now 7 months post rads and feeling pretty good. only thing that sucks is i can't stand on my feet for more than an hour from the taxol still. does this ever go away? i finished last taxol in january of 2011. much love and prayers to you all.
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also, can anyone give me any info on metformin. i got the script but not sure i like all the side effects but will do what i can to keep this dang cancer from ever coming back. thanks !!
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jody, I started on a low dose of Metformin (500 mg at bedtime) at the start of the year, and haven't had any side effects at all. That surprised me because I was braced for the GI upset that seems to hit most people in the beginning. I wanted it because I was told I had prediabetes in Dec. (fatty liver, abdominal weight gain, moderately elevated fasting blood glucose, etc.), and if it offered protection against a recurrence, that would be a bonus. I was more worried about my increased risk of liver and heart disease, as well as becoming diabetic.
I just had labs drawn this week and my numbers are mostly back to normal (my alk. phos., which indicates liver function, is still very slightly elevated). I've also lost 12 pounds, and will continue to take it. We'll repeat a liver US in a year to assess whether I still have fatty liver.
I have no regrets for starting it.
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Inmate,
Thinking of you and hoping everything goes well at your appointment today. I still have a lot of rib soreness on the rads side. Never had it before rads, even after the mastectomy. It is particularly sore at the top of the ribs where they directed the beam (is that an accurate term?).
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I started Metformin about 2 weeks ago. 500mg 2 x a day. I felt a little bloated and a maybe a bit of a tummy discomfort but it didn't last long and I don't think I'm getting those issues anymore.
Thinking of you today, Inmate.
Titan, I would love to get my hubby on here to talk about sports with you. He's a huge sports fan and doesn't really have anyone to talk about it with. I try really hard to pretend like I'm listening and interested but he knows me better.
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Random thoughts-
Ativan *and* Ambien? Interesting. I was told not to take Xanax and Ambien together. They needed to be 6 hours apart. The time released (10 "whatevers") Melatonin really works for me. Rarely take Ambien now and Xanax almost never.
lovelyface- You have (7) cervical vertabrae in the neck. It sounds like you may have a bulging disc. The swelling you describe may be inflammation from its displacement. The pain radiating down your arm is most likely from a nerve being compressed. This should all be well visible on an MRI or CT. Do you take Aleve twice a day? If not, you may want to try that while you await further advice/testing from your othopedist.
Off to teach Maple Sugaring at the Nature Center now. Then taking the team photos at my son's rugby game tomorrow.
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Oh yeah... Titan... GO PATS!
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Room for one more in here? Just met with the onclolgist today and found out that Im triple negative too. grade 3. Im scheduled for a lumpectomy Tuesday unless something pops up on the MRI that I had done last night. She said I will start chemo about 6 weeks after my surgery, followed by rads.
My mammo was showing the tumor to be 6cm, but the ultrasound was showing 2cm, so she said she won't know more until they get this thing out of me and get a good look at it, but said she will probably be reccommending the port for me. I asked if the surgeon can put it in when I go in for the lumpectomy, but she said she doesn't think he will.
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Welcome sandik, but sorry your here. Good luck with your surgery and once you get your port in you'll be happy you did it!!!
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Thanks! I know 1 port= a whole lot of needles that I do NOT want, but I don't want the port either! haha Im such a baby about needles! I keep telling myself it's better in the long run. I don't know if it's the fact that people will see the port and know Im sick, or if it's because the port is unknown to me so I don't know what to expect, or both.
She did say that my nodes looked good from what she felt. So, I guess that's good news, right? Happy Friday!
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I was/am a big baby about needles too. The nice thing, these nurse are SKILLED, never feel a thing and got so many now, it doesn't really bother me like it used to. I don't think people will be able to see your port. Mine sits right about under my bra strap and my shirts always cover it. I can see it in the mirror, it did freak me out in the beginning, now I've learned to not really look at it anymore. You'll be fine with it. I remember these ladies telling me the same things and they we're right!
Its great that your nodes look good!
Have a great weekend, go out and enjoy yourself before your stuck in the house recouperating!
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Welcome Sandik. Glad you found us. I didn't have port in when I did chemo and if I could go back, I would have asked for one. I did 4 DD AC + 12 weekly Taxol all in my veins. Chemo is rough on the veins. And like you said, it's a whole lot of needles..........................Good luck with surgery next week.
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Hi Sandik - my BS and PS suggested that I have a PICC port (not line) put in the inside of my upper arm. I did and will get my first A/C on Tuesday. I'll let you know how it feels. Onc nurse gave me numbing cream to apply before tx. Best wishes for your surgery. You've come to the right place for support and information. The ladies here are amazing and very knowledgeable.
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christina...mccrimmon.....thanks for remembering. i slept really well last night and woke up with less anxiety this morning. no more reason to be stressed since i get to see the Dr K today. i can't change what he might say so i will just be happy to finally hear his opinion.
sandik....welcome. you will find these ladies to be the absolute cream of the crop. my two cents on the port is you should definitely get it. i can see my port from time to time, but i view it as my chemo plug-in. if i would have to have my arm tapped every week or so it would be more of a reminder of what i'm going through than having a port i can hide. it just makes the whole process that much easier.
happy friday everyone! i'm having a girls sleep over this weekend. tequila and tacos.....here i come! hehehe
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Suze, LJ and MBJ.....think of you every day. love to you.0
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Inmate- hope your appt. goes well today!!
Have a great weekend ladies! The family and I are off to enjoy a weekend of fishing in southern Missouri!
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Welcome Sandik - sorry you are joining us but we will remain by your side throughout the journey.
I had DD AC and DD Taxol - all without a port. I always say that God forbid I ever need more chemo I will absolutely get a port! My veins (which used to be great) are shot - it takes forever to find a usefull vein now whenever I need tests.
Thinking of you today Inmate!
TifJ - enjoy your trip
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I had port also...I'm glad I did...I had chemo first though which shrunk tumor then lumpectomy followed by radiation...I had a CT scan couple weeks ago for another issue but I'm glad I did because.it also indicates no liver lesions. This is a great site for information & assurance!
Marsha
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No port here, and glad of it. I had 4 doses of CT. My veins are fine now. Glad not to have had the extra angst of a port. I was told that if I'd had Adriamycin, a port would have been necessary. Adriamycin is very caustic to the surrounding tissue in the event of infiltration. Some drugs are worse than others in this regard. A port reduces that possibility.
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Hi everybody.
Titan, I PMd Jenn3 a day or to ago to see how the wedding went. I have not heard from her. Also she has not posted on our Starting chemo August 2009 thread. I know that she had a caring bridge page but I cannot remember her last name.
LJ, Suze, MBJ, Becca, Hoping to hear from you gals soon.
SandiK-welcome to the TNs. You'll like it here. Lots of good info and support. I did TAC so a port was a must.
Thanks to all who have commented their experience on Metformin.
Heidi, fun to see a pix of Macfry
Titan DH is sports nut. I watch a ton of it with him on TV. My fav is Footbal (GO PACK) I tolerate hockey and golf (I hate Tiger barf, barf) and sorry, but dislike basketball. March madness puts me over the edge!
Waving hello to you Marsha!
Thinking of you all, everyday.
Navy
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sandik-did any of your docs mention doing chemo before surgery? Just curious. I have done it both ways:) First time I had lumpectomy followed by chemo, this time I had chemo followed by surgery (new primary in opposite breast)
I was able to hide my port with clothes, I loved my port! Glad to hear that your nodes are clear!
Inmate-thinking of you! Have a great girls night!
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Welcome SandiK - if you have any question along the way - just ask.
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Inmate - I am thinking of you and praying that everything turns out okay. Sending you tons of good vibes.
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I dont post alot but I do check this thread usually daily to check on eveyone and to say a prayer for those when needed...I am sorry because I do feel the need to vent but I knew that I could do it here...I have been having shortness of breath for about the last 3 weeks. I finally got the courage to make the phone call today to my Dr. I was able to get in for an xray with results being 24-48 hours...my husband says "Why are you making a DR appt" - I tell him I want to rule out lung mets - his reply is "what is that?" I had to explain everything all over again about TNBC and how aggressive it is and if it come back it comes back within the first few years, and all of that "stuff" .....I also said, I would think as a spouse of 17 years and together for 22 years that he would have learned more about the disease....When I got back from the xray - no words of encourgement or even asked how it went - I brought it up to him and his response was "you worry too much" - He is a great husband and dad but.....HELLO! Thanks for letting me vent!
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Kelley-- sadly, some guys just don't get it. Or... they compartmentalize in order to keep their own fears at bay. Try not to take it too personally. We're hear to listen, and we understand.
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FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!
I could just scream forever but I have some cleaning to do before tomorrow night. They took a biopsy today and I will have those results back on Monday. Scan is set up for Tuesday, at 6:30 in the morning no less. Ugh! I know, I know.....stay positive, but the look on both doctors faces just said it all. I am over this whole shit match. The stress is unbelievable and I don't quite know what to do. My left chest feels so "thick" and uncomfortable today and now I am getting this weird twinge in my arm when I move it a certain way.
I can't think of anything else to say right now. Love to you all!
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Inmate, sent you PM.
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Hi, just diagnosed with triple negative, stage 1 no node involvement BC. I will get a port in and start chemo in 2 weeks. Lots of great info and love on this page. I read more than I post but will be here for all you wonderful ladies in what ever way I can!
Inmate - HUGS
Kim
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Inmate - I'm so sorry you are feeling so many bad things all at once. Wish I was there to take you out for a cocktail. We're all waiting with you. Check in often.
Kelley - I hope you get good results. I'll bet you husband is scared to death under that mask. Give the guy a hug, you've grown strong, maybe he hasn't.
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Going tomorrow to pick up my 17 yr old son's new car. Like I don't have enough to worry about!0 -
inmate- So sorry for what you have to go thru again.Just hate this f**ing disease!!!! I'm there screeming with you! We're here for you. Big hugs. xx
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