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Calling all TNs

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited December 2012

    Cocker..hey lady,..you still around?  since the world is supposed to end...figure it would happen in NZ first..let us know ok?

    wow..I never had a choice with my treatment...dose dense ac and t...and then rads...I did mention cutting back on the roids etc. but they never never considered it with me...

    not sleeping is perfectly normal you guys with chemo...I hardly slept but I was never tired either...weird..just buzzing all the time...however......when I was finally done with chemo and rads I slept all the time...in fact..I stil need alot of sleep...

  • NjeanRN
    NjeanRN Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2012

    Erin, hi! Yes we are in the same boat literally! I had read somewhere that chemo irritates the breast tissue do maybe that's why you're having Breast pain? I kept thinking I felt more lumps throughout chemo but my BS and MO both felt nothing.

    I can't believe the difference in what people get. I don't take any oral steroids, I just get walloped with a large dose with my infusion. I hate how the steroids make me feel especially 2 days later when I crash.



    Sandlake- thank you for the well wishes, I was very happy to get that news.

    I wish everyone well this weekend and thanks for sharing all of your stories!

  • kidsandlabs
    kidsandlabs Member Posts: 32
    edited December 2012

    Day 2 after treatment SE are starting to kick in. Usually doesn't start till day 3. It's going to be a long day at work.

  • HopeFaithCourage
    HopeFaithCourage Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2012

    I only needed nausea medication twice yesterday and took some this morning.i certainly feel better when i drink more. Crystal light hits the spot. I've been awake for hours which is annoying. I have seven puppies to find homes for today. My daughter is not being responsible so I'm going to have to. Makes me worried since they need a good home. They are still very young but are walking and eating soft food. Perhaps being Christmas e will help.

  • browerl
    browerl Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2012

    ok ladies I have a question.  I had a bmx 4 weeks ago(after chemo no cancer found) and I have gone to the plastic surgeon twice to have the expander's filled.  When I went on Wednesday he did not put any in the left side (the cancer side) because it still has a lot of fluid in it and it is a little irritated. After I left him I went and had physical therapy.  By the time I got home that side was hurting really bad and continued into last night so I started really feeling around and I found a hard unmovable mass about the size of a walnut.  Now of course this is freaking me out!  What do you think scar tissue, maybe?  The last time a found a lump it was not good.

  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 142
    edited December 2012

    Browerl: I have heard others saying this same thing and it does turn out to be scar tissue! But I would have it checked out just to have peace of mind!

  • borntosurvive
    borntosurvive Member Posts: 194
    edited December 2012

    For those of you having sleep troubles - ask for a mild sleeping pill or go and get some Melatonin from the local pharmacy.  They both help.  You will feel a million times better if you can get a good sleep.  Drink lots and taking a Claritan will help with bone pain.  '

    HUGS xo

  • minxie
    minxie Member Posts: 239
    edited December 2012

    Anyone see the news about herceptin and HER- ?

    http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/publish/news/newsroom/7282

    It seems that lots of HER- women have HER+ stem cells, and herceptin knocks 'em dead.

    Is anyone planning on asking their onc to consider adding Herceptin to a preventative regimen?

    OBx, just to try and clear up my confusing story... I was diagnosed in '08 withTN IDC in rt breast, had lumpectomy/chemo. Then diagnosed with DCIS is rt breast 6 months later. Had BMX with lat dorsi recon. This involved wearing tissue expanders in both breast fro several months, until remaining tissue was streched enough for implants. TEs feel like bricks :( . When I had my local recurrence in rt breast this spring, they took out the implant and removed about half the remaining breast skin. So, I need expanders to stretch out what skin is left so I can get a new implant, hopefully in May. So That's what I meant by "here we go again..."

    I think I may take my little guy with me. He's the best cure for loneliness I know :)

    And have fun on your trip Annie!

  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 2,409
    edited December 2012

    I just sent the link to the article and the abstract to my onc.  I hope she sees promise in this!

  • journey4life
    journey4life Member Posts: 223
    edited December 2012

    Minxie, how was the recurrence found in your rt breast? My understanding is that with implants, we don't get mammograms. Is there some diagnostic tool for detection/screening? 

  • minxie
    minxie Member Posts: 239
    edited December 2012

    Journey, I found the lump. Just the way I found the first one, and in the exact same place too. It was growing over the implant and right under the skin, so it was quite noticeable. I tried to convince myself it was scar tissue, but it felt round like a lump. Sigh.

    I went to my onc, who sent me to my original BS, who did mammo and us/biopsy. It was declared TN cancer the next day. They did an MRI as well to make sure there were no other surprises. And then I had surgery and radiation.

    They can do  mammo with an implant, but I don't think for a chest wall recurrence or something under the implant it would be that accurate. I think an MRI would be the way to go if you had concerns.

  • browerl
    browerl Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2012

    called the doctor this morning and they sent me right in for an ultrasound (on the hard mass I found)  the radiologist did not see anything conclusive but recommended that I follow up with the breast surgeon.  With next week being the holiday the earliest I can get in to see her is next Friday.  That will make for a long week.

  • Cocker_Spaniel
    Cocker_Spaniel Member Posts: 1,188
    edited December 2012

    Hey Titan seems like I got a reprieve of some sort but if the world does end I'll let you know first!!!! lol

    @[227970240577803:274:Fun and run.]

  • russell33
    russell33 Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2012

    Hi yananma, I spoke with my oncologist today and decided for sure to do  the TC.  I start on Jan.8. I hope to get more updates from you so I know what to expect.  I know everyone is different but it will still be nice to know how you are doing.  Merry Christmas:)

  • 5thSib
    5thSib Member Posts: 119
    edited December 2012

    QueenKong -- My breast looked horrible after my lumpectomy -- deep purple on my entire breast which then started spreading all the way under my arm and down to my waist. It looked like I had been in a car wreak or something. Found out it was due to blood leaking from the surgical site. It finally formed a very large, hard clot in my breast.

  • SherylB
    SherylB Member Posts: 147
    edited December 2012

    russlle33, I too start my chemo in January on the 10th. I am very nervous about how I will feel during and after. I know I will get through it as there is no alternative, but I am so used to doing everything myself and for others too. It is scary to think that I may not feel well enough to care for myself. I had my surgery on 12/6 and I still have fluid in the breast tissue and under my arm where they did the SLNB, still very tender. Hang strong, I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts as we start this journey that has been successfully traveled by so many others before us.

    Sheryl

  • OBXK
    OBXK Member Posts: 689
    edited December 2012

    Loretta - well, that just sucks! I'm sorry you couldn't have a definitive answer today. We're all waiting with you.

  • russell33
    russell33 Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2012

    Hi SherylB,

    I had my surgery on Dec. 10.  It looks like we had the same surgery and the same diagnoises.  I still have fluid in my breast also, it's very painful and swelling.  Hoping it goes away before chemo. 

    You stay strong too, we will beat this! Have a Merry Christmas.  Look forward to chatting with you as we begin our journey.  

  • queenkong
    queenkong Member Posts: 48
    edited December 2012

    5thSib, Shirley - Thank you for the feed back. I see you had surgery in October. Did that clot in your breast go away? I've got one near the incision site and on top of my breast where they injected the dye. There is dark yellow over my entire boob now along with all the rest. It's the ugliest rainbow I have ever seen. The bigger part does seem lessening, esp where it was pooling around the nipple. I was expecting blood to ooze out but never happened. 

    Does anyone else smell weird after surgery? Esp in underarm are? I know I am so gross.

    Russell & SherlB - What do you mean by fluid in the breast? I'll be thinking of you both in January. Keep us posted about the chemo treatments. Generally, you can keep active but you really do need to give yourself the space and time to rest and recoup after the sessions. Be sure to ask for what you need from family and make sure they know what to expect. Really make them keep up with the hand washing and you too. It's cold and flu season so you want to avoid that if at all possible. Try to get your shots, dentist and all that in before you start as well.

    Browrl - that is a long time to wait for such news on a lump you found. Let us know what they say. That lump could be scar tissue or even a blood clot. Get is checked asap. I am sure you will.

    Minxie - you found a 1 cm tumor? It's good you were able to palpate why it was so small. You been through so much. Expander bricks sound tough. I'm reading the article you posted aboutr HER- & stem cells. I see you are going to take the little one after all? 

    HopeFaith - SEVEN PUPPIES! omg. I am sure being christmas will help. I wish I could have a puppy but I'm in no shape for a puppy yet. Once I get through all of this, maybe in 2013? I've always wanted one for my daughter & I. What kind of puppy?

    LuvRVing - thank you for the kind words. Tylenol helps some but vicodin helps more. :) I only take them at night now but did take one before dinner yesterday and had a great time. I think I'll save one for my birthday as I get such pain in my breast and side when I move around a lot.

  • SherylB
    SherylB Member Posts: 147
    edited December 2012

    QueenKong,

    The fluid is just where the tissue swells from the trauma of the surgery. Some people will have more swelling (fluid) than others. I think because of my diabetes that the healing process is just slower. Fluid rushes to any site in the body that is injured and surgery is an injury. It is just the blood flow carrying all the cells to fight the trauma and aid in healing. 

    Sheryl

  • kayak2
    kayak2 Member Posts: 9,028
    edited December 2012

    QueenKong - Regarding your comment about a weird smell: - for several weeks prior to diagnosis, I too smelled a weird underarm odor, despite daily showering and using deodorant.  They say that some dogs can detect the presence of cancer through smell, so after diagnosis, I just attributed the smell to cancer, and hope to never smell that odor again!

  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 2,409
    edited December 2012

    I've had a seroma in the area of my left breast (the cancer site) since my BMX in June 2011.  It's about 10 cm and it's been drained a couple times but it returns.  No pain, just annoyance.  It shows up on every PET/CT scan.

  • HopeFaithCourage
    HopeFaithCourage Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2012

    Found homes for all the puppies! Woot! Woot! Im at work and Im feeling great. One chemo done, three more to go before surgery. Still taking nausea meds as needed every once in awhile but it is so much better than I had feared. I can see how God is already using this disease to help me be a better nurse and person. I will be grateful today for all things and know that all things work for His greater good. Merry Christmas if I cant get on here again :)

  • yananma
    yananma Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2012

    Russell and Sheryl



    I chose mastectomy because I had small breast ... Day 9 after 1st round TC, almost back to normal, except fatigue. From day 1 to 6 I did have fever, constipation, diarrhea , back pain, nausea... Day 4 was the worst for me, and sleepless nights too. Best of luck!

  • browerl
    browerl Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2012

    I still have a lot of swelling and fluid in my cancer breast after bmx ( 5 weeks Monday) the other breast is doing great.  I also have poor range of motion on the cancer side.  I can not wait till Friday when I go back to the bs to find out what is up with this hard lump.  The therapist thinks it is just hard fluid, but she new I was very upset so I am sure she would say anything to keep me calm.

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 1,442
    edited December 2012

    Fifty Shades of Grey - A Husband’s View

    The missus bought a paperback in town on Saturday. I had a look inside her bag; ...T'was "fifty shades of grey".

    Well, I just left her to it, and at ten I went to bed. An hour later she appeared; The sight filled me with dread...

    In her left she held a rope; And in her right a whip! She threw them down upon the floor, And then began to strip.

    Well fifty years or so ago I might have had a peek. But Mabel hasn't weathered well; She's 84 next week!!

    Watching Mabel bump and grind could not have been much grimmer. And things then went from bad to worse - She toppled off her zimmer!

    She struggled back upon her feet a couple minutes later; She put her teeth back in said ...I must be dominater!!

    Now if you knew our Mabel You'd see why I just spluttered. I'd spent two months in traction from the last complaint I'd uttered.

    She stood there nude and naked bent forward just a bit I went to hold her, sensual like and stood on her left tit!

    Mabel screamed, her teeth shot out; My God, what had I done? She moaned and groaned then shouted out "Step on the other one"!

    Well readers, I can't tell no more about what occurred that day. Suffice to say my jet black hair turned fifty shades of grey.

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,092
    edited December 2012

    waiting with you browerl  hugs to you!

    Maggie

  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,285
    edited December 2012

    Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year
    love
    Bernie.

  • EnglishRose75
    EnglishRose75 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2012

    browerl: Keeping everything crossed for you.  Hang in there.

    OBXK: I've wondered too why treatments are not the same in the US as in the UK.  I think that it probably has something to do with money and politics.  Seems that treatments used in the UK are more similar to those in Canada.

    Merry Christmas everyone.  Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2013.

  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 495
    edited December 2012

    English - you may be right, but I think some of it is just different names for things.

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