Calling all TNs
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Kayak - thanks fof the heads up.
Annie - I so wish you could come visit the states when you are feeling better. I have a big old (ca1889) farm house with loads of room. I may even have a goat to snuggle;) if you'd like to make the long trip, I promise toake it fun. Just get here, car , food etc, taken care of. Life is short .
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On my Dad's side of the family, breast cancer is all the rage. My Grandmother had it twice and yet lived to be 100. Most of my aunts and a cousin dealt with it with various degrees of success or failure. I always figured if I got through life without getting it, I would be extremely lucky. My luck ran out last December. However, being a high risk for breast cancer, I was taking part in a clinical drug trial for exemastane, which unfortunately has no effect on triple-negative (and I was actually getting the drug, not the placebo). Because of the drug trial, I was being very carefully monitored and my tumours were detected by an MRI so they were very small (1.6 cm and 0.6 cm). Because there were 2, I opted for a mastectomy rather than a lumpectomy. I had 6 sentinel and 1 non-sentinel lobes removed and all were negative. I also had the BRCA gene test which was also negative. I am presently going through chemo. I get Taxotere and Cyclophosphamide every 3 weeks for 4 treatments. I had my second treatment 10 days ago.
I have been reading some of your posts prior to signing on here and I've already learned a few things - besides the fact that you seem like very nice, supportive women who genuinely care for one another.
Doreen
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Michelle, have an awesome trip and don't think about anything else!
Doreen, welcome!0 -
May you remember to enjoy life as it happens, live each day to its fullest, and make memories from life's little moments. You only get one chance at life!
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Welcome Doreen. You are half way through treatment! Come back soon and let us know how you are doing. We talk about various topics---some serious and some really funny too.
Karen: Your invitation to Annie is so nice. Very heartfelt words.
I would like to add to what Sugar posted. I fully agree, our connection is strong and how we look after each other is warm and safe
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Morning Ladies,
LuvRVing (Michelle) - Have a blast in Paris, then come back and kick the sh*t out of FC!
Minxie - Glad your Pet scan showed only the breast.
Lovely - I just know you'll get good results from your biopsy.
CS - Not much longer now!
I've been busy applying for jobs. Was told the one place that I really liked would get back to me by the end of the week, well, that's today and I really hope I get it.
Best thing that happened to me. I reconnected with my bestie who I lost touch with about 14 years ago. She looks exactly the same! Has the most amazing kids, just had a blast! and we only live less then 10 min from each other now. Its amazing how you can just pick up where you left off with some people.
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Morning all, I need help. I have been asked to sing a song at a Cancer Survivors picnic. I need a song that celebrates life. Any ideas. It is just a few weeks away, so I have got to come up with something. My niece suggested the new Martina McBride song " I'm gonna love you through it". But honestly, I don't know that I could hold it together through that. The other songs I was thinking of was Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler or Hero by Mariah Carey.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
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Heather---good old friends are the best!! Glad you have someone there already in the new life.
Luvrving--sorry to hear your news. Paris will be amazing.
Minxie---so glad its only local but sorry you must endure more.
NEWBIES- welcome to the TN family
Maggie
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I'm gonna go with Wind beneath my Wings, I just love that song. Good luck!
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Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw
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all fired up by Pat Benatar?
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okay, i vote for we are the champions by queen. probably not the best choice, but i just love me some freddie mercury!
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Good morning ladies,As Michelle said, I have been AWOL for a few days from the board. It is funny how guilty I feel for not being here, but needed to take a few days to feel sorry for myself, I guess. This chemo has been a real SOB and a constant reminder that I actually do have cancer. I know, I know, there are so many other reminders than feeling sick, but I just don't look at myself much in the mirror anymore so when I feel good I just pretend that all is normal and I am fine. Anywho, I am back to feeling better and must say that I have missed you all so very much! Did I mention that one of the side effects of erubilin is depression? I sure will be mentioning it to my doctor today for round 4/6. Here's hoping for a less adventurous treatment than last week. Michelle....I am on Erubilin right now. It also goes by the name, Halivan. This drug is given to those who have advanced breast cancer and who have failed on three other chemos. I have had (in order) AC and Taxol, Cisplatin and Gemzar, Methotrexate, Navelbine, 5-FU and Lucovorin. This one by far is the most difficult for me. That said, I WILL be completing my 6 doses. I will just need to figure out how to deal with these pesky SEs. How are you doing my dear? I think about you every day and hope that you are keeping up that positive "I can do this" attitude. I do believe that attitude helps tremendously. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help. My heart and mind are with you holding your hand! Oh, and good job on "locals only". This we can do! Virtual panties and boots on the way!0
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Wish there was a "Like" button Inmate...I LOVE Queen....!I like Sail Away too...
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I have been away from the board for the past few weeks. Crazy busy at work, and then family events every weekend. So I just wanted to stop by and say hi to everyone.
LuvRVing - I'm so sorry to hear your news. This FC....it's just not fair!!! I hope you have a wonderful trip to Paris ...enjoy every minute!!
Lovelyface - My thryroid lit up on the PET scan I had when first diagnosed with BC. Docs weren't too concerned....all felt that it would need to be looked at further, but it could wait until after BC treatment. Toward the end of rads, I had a thyroid ultrasound... turned out I had a solid nodule that needed to be biopsied. I freaked....the last thing I wanted to contemplate at that point was another cancer. To make long story short.....it was benign. Thyroid nodules are very common and mostly turn out to be benign. On the very unlikely chance that it's thyroid cancer, it is curable (yes, curable!) and the treatment is pretty easy (no chemo or rads!) I just know you will be fine.
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This song is my favorite survivor song-
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Thanks Hope for that assurance. It is such a relief to hear that a solid nodule was benign. That was the one thing I was most freaking about, thinking that if it is solid, it's got to be cancer. My Doc told me that most women have thyroid nodules, it is just that all of them don't get the thyroid US, as there are no symptoms.
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I think in the earlier posts, Wrenwood or someone had posted information on the Budwig diet, which was the first time I heard of it. I tried it only because I felt I lacked estrogen in my body and the flax seeds has low estrogenic levels. I tried it for like 10 days, morning and afternoon, the flax oil, cottage cheese and the ground flax seeds and I could feel my energy levels rising, my thinning hair improving. Lately, the afternoon serving started giving me such a horrible stomach ache that I had to stop. I think it is just that it needs to be taken on a completely empty stomach or something and I was not doing it correctly. It really was helping me with my energy levels and I felt a shift in my health for the better. Anyway, to make it short, here is the link to the Budwig theory http://www.budwigcenter.com/. I know there are a million theories out there regarding alternative cancer treatments, but this one in particular strikes me. However, I don't want to get caught up in these types of treatments, as one can get really broke trying this and that and spend their life savings on them.
Additionally, it disturbs me a great deal when I hear things like - that something is very wrong in people's body who have either had or have cancer. Candida, high acidity, low immune system, etc. I feel like a big polluted disease carrying body. Whenever I read theories on cancer, I am not sure what to think or believe. I would like to think that my body is healthy but that just this one time, something happened and I got attacked.
I am wondering what you all think? Do you think we need to clean and purify ourselves. That really we have candida or high acidity with low immune systems? It is so disturbing to me when I hear stuff like this. And I am so confused as I also do feel that there is something not right as soon as I entered menopause. They talk about Coffee enemas? Is my stomach just filled with filth, is that why I got cancer? But I am a much better eater than most others I see who eat fast foods and bad food. I hardly ever eat chips and fast foods and store bought foods.
I feel that if I exercise everyday to oxygenate my blood and cells, eat vegetables and fruits, that I am fine and my body won't make cancer again. Do you ladies think that having had cancer, requires us to look at diets such as Budwig, and follow their protocols? Even as far as going to Spain, and getting cleaned out? I am sorry about the way I have worded my pros and cons on this subject, but I am hoping it makes sense. Thanks.
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Inmate, I am so sorry you are having such a hard time with the eribulin. We are all so individual - I didn't have as hard a time, but I do think I noticed depression as a side effect. During my trial, one of the nurses said the doctors were quite excited about the drug, though, as a "clean up" drug.
LuvRVing, I am so sorry you have had this news. I'm glad you are feeling well, and hope you have fun in Paris.
Lovelyface, I don't believe we could ever know what causes cancer but I'm sure it is a combination of things. I think the genetic factor is the strongest factor, followed by physical environment. My biology instructor in college told me everything that adversely impacts DNA should be avoided - when filling up the car, be sure not to breathe the fumes, etc. My father ate very well and was very strong. He worked in the yard long hours and was never overweight. He didn't eat much meat, grew his own vegetables (although he did use pesticides on the fruit trees), quit smoking when he was 30ish, didn't drink - and he got prostate cancer at 70 and esophageal cancer at age 85. When my MIL got lung cancer, the oncologist told us that 1 in 9 smokers get lung cancer and those who got it have a genetic propensity for it. At this point, I am eating somewhat better - which basically means less sugar - and walking at least 3 hours a week. I cannot avoid large amounts of personal stress at this point in time so I am trying to learn to deal better with the stressors I have. I have also been taking aspirin at least 3 days a week.
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christina - your father's story is very interesting similar to mine. I have never eaten pork or beef in my life. I was vegetarian for 11 years, although I used to eat imbalanced food at that time. It is hard being vegetarian, so one tends to eat higher carbs and sugar. As for genetics, I am the first person in my family ever to get cancer. A distant second cousin has had DCIS and another cousin had some sort of cancer, but out of all my siblings, aunts, uncles, first cousins, I am the only one. We have prided ourselves all these years as having good genes. My Onc. told me that only two things have been proven to date to cause cancer, one is genes, the other is environment. Maybe this is why I get so confused and irritated when I hear things like, we have high acidity, low immune systems, PH is acidic, etc. etc. Christina - what is the story behind aspirin? In 1988 a doctor at Kaiser was doing a large study on saliclatytes (sp?). He gave me a 30 page document on his findings. He told me at that time in 1988, that I should never take aspirin, that according to his research, my body was not the type to take aspirin. Ever since then, I always put down on my forms, that I am allergic to aspirin. I have never taken aspirin. I wonder how it is all connected. He was a highly educated caring doctor. I wonder if his studies were ever published.
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Lovelyface, I have read some studies regarding aspirin as an inhibitor of metastasis. Someone may come along and post the links- or I can try to find them this weekend. I was a vegetarian for several years during my thirties, although not vegan and I also ate imbalanced food - and too many dairy products. For several years I have eaten only fish and shellfish, veggies, but far too much sugar. I usually have several vegetarian days per week. Interesting, my father also had a sweet tooth - he baked his own cobblers made with home grown peaches, rhubarb, and strawberries.
I would like to know about the study by the Kaiser doctor- that is very interesting.
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Wow I have been away for a few days and you girls have been busy! Michelle I am so sorry to hear of your news. Go to Paris have a fabulous time and come back and get those big boots on, and we will be right behind you with ours on too! Stay positive like inmate said and kick some butt!
Inmate sorry you are having a hard time with your chemo. Loved your story of you f*ck word!
I am scheduled to go next Tuesday for a genetics consult to see if I should be tested . I really don't know much about this.
I know I missed some of you ladies, but I am wishing you all a great weekend.
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ksmatthews - just curious where in Tenneesee is White Pine? A family friend is a breast oncologist in Knoxville. Is that anywhere near where you are?
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Lovely- please try not to scare yourself too much. We all do it to a degree, just don't let it get out of hand and stress your body and emotions. The shopping trip could help a lot!!
So nice to read up on everyone...NavyMom, BernieEllen, OBXK, Inmate, Sugar, LRM and Titan! and you all taking such good care with those having recurrences or possibilities of a recurrence!! Having been there just a few weeks ago, it is so appreciated!!
I have the first ear ache of my life and ouch!! I had some clindamycin that's still in date, so hoping that will work. Got to leave work early - woo hoo!
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Hey TBBCRuth - nice seeing your pretty face, missed you, and yes, ouch to the ear ache, sure hope the meds work quick.
Inmate: So sorry this chemo is beastly to you. Jeez, like you're not going through enough. I had the worst time on my A/C and taxotere - disgusting actually - but I just kept telling myself if it was making me feel this bad, it had to be annihilating the effing cancer too.
Sending love to all of you,
Linda
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Sugar I am about 40 min from Knoxville. My dr's are actually in Knoxville. What is your family friends name?
Karen
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Karen - his name is Dr. Timothy Panella.
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I don't know if a good, clean, whole food diet will prevent cancer from coming back, but I believe you will feel better and it might help prevent other things like heart disease, diabetes etc. Eating a good diet can't hurt you, only help! I am vegetarian but the first few years I really didn't eat many veggies! So I think it isn't that you are vegetarian and don't eat meat, it is more that you eat whole foods with an emphasis in fruits and veggies. Just my opinion, but i think my diet has helped me get through this chemo crap with few side effects. Could all be in my head, but I'm going to stick with it and clean it up even more after my treatment.
Hope everyone has a great weekend with limited side effects!
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Good morning Ladies.
Can you believe I slept until 11am. It was just lovely and so needed. Just got the fluey symptoms from Taxol today so going to blob and do absolutely nothing.
Karen - I couldn't think of anything I would much rather do than come and see you in America. It would be more than wonderful to meet you, see your beautiful farm house, snuggle with your little dog and goats and eat your dinners!!, cause they always sound so yummy. Who knows maybe I will be able to do this. I would be over the moon. Its only a plane ride after all and although I am not keen on planes I would do it to come and see you. So when I am well I will think about this and your wonderful offer. Just don't change your mind. I will do all the cleaning up for you as I'm good at that but not so good with the cooking.
Heather - keeping my fingers, toes and legs crossed (is that right!) that you get the job that you prefer. Yes it is amazing that you can go all that time not seeing a friend and then its as if you have never been away from them. That is called real friendship. I have some friends who live in other towns and when we catch up its as if they live next door and we talk non stop, mind you I'm good at that. I just feel this is the right move for you and when hubby arrives with the dogs you will be just right again.
Minxie - thinking of you lots and sending you prayers.
LuvRVing - as others have said have a real blast in Paris. What a City to go to. Forget all about cancer and live it up then get ready to come home and fight.
Inmate I too like Freddie. Great strong voice, great songs, pity he had to leave us. Hoping your treatment goes well and you don't go AWOL too often. Miss your 'F' words.
Guygirl - my daughter plays me 'You raise me up' by Westlife. I love that song and it makes me tear up every time knowing that is what she thinks of me. She said I give her courage but I think its the other way round.
Lovely - I don't feel I need to purge my system. I am not sure that putting other lethal drugs in your system to do that is any good. Somebody I knew used to detox regularly and he was always pale and weak looking for a man with no life in him. I am 64kg and have been for years, 5' 3" and I eat chips occasionally cause I love them, mind you I love any food, but would all this make a difference I wonder to anyone getting cancer. Sugar yes, I think I should cut down on that but unless my coffee has a lot in it I can't drink it. I think a little bit of everything does you good and no amount of dieting etc will make a difference. Maybe we should just accept ourselves for what we are like. We could give up all the things we enjoy/like and die tomorrow. Maybe we are just the unlucky ones in getting this and we have no option but to get over it as best we can. Who knows I guess. I think do what feels right for you, not others as long as you are not hurting anybody , and enjoy life when you can while you can and laugh like there is no tomorrow.
On that note ladies I will leave you to enjoy your day. God I can talk the hind leg of a donkey. Thinking of you all, sending huge hugs and lots of love for a stress free day. Going to take my fluey symptoms, go back to bed and dream now about my holiday in America with Karen. Annie.
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Talk the hind end off a donkey. Never heard of that saying before. Made me chuckle. Thanks, Annie.0
