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  • queenkong
    queenkong Member Posts: 48
    edited February 2013

    Random thoughts today.

    It looks like Hillary Clinton had botox. I want botox but I don't know if we're allowed or if it's advisable. I want a fantasy vacation to go on after all this is done but I have nothing in mind. 

    I'm confused about what to do with my diet because I am supposed to stop with the vitamins and antioxidants through rads. I didn't sleep much last night and I feel bitchy and anxious. It was my one day to sleep in but no.... ~sigh~ kid woke me up real early and couldn't sleep. I don't even want diner and it was too cold to walk for me today. 

    LAUREN - I just read your post about being in the hospital. What's going on? I was in the hospital in November. I was sick, they thought it was blood clot at first. There is all kinds of scary with this sort of thing. I had shortness of breath too. Where are you in your treatment? I'm going to try to look back and see if it's similar. I ended up with pneumonia. Please let us know what is going on. I am worried about you.

  • 5thSib
    5thSib Member Posts: 119
    edited February 2013

    Annie, so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister. I am one of eight and we lost a brother 2 years ago to lung cancer. There is a 20 year range between oldest and youngest, but we have always been a close family. It was really hard losing that first sibling. I think it made us realize how fragile life is. I am #5 of the siblings to be diagnosed with some kind of cancer. The other 3 are thankfully in remission.

    I had my second Taxol treatment today. It has not been too bad compared to AC. The constant watering eyes are aggravating. My nose runs some, also. The NP told me the eyes were a SE, but she did not think the running nose was. I've had restless legs today and a slight headache -- no nausea so far, which is a blessing.

  • suzette5956
    suzette5956 Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2013

    I finished chemo in July. I have been having niggly pains in back of my head. Did anyone else experience this. Don't know if I'm just being paranoid or not.

  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2013

    Annie, I am so sorry to hear about your sister. I have three of them and there is nothing like sisterly love. Your just not having a good time now but your TN sisters are always here for you!! I'm thinking of you!!! Hugs!

  • navymom
    navymom Member Posts: 842
    edited February 2013

    CS: My deepest sympathy to you during such a sad time.  Sending you love and support.

    LUV:  Have a woop of a good time on your trip.  I see a pina colada in your future!

    Lauren:  How are ya doing?? hoping to see a post from you soon.

    To add to the scan conversation--I feel fortunate because my Onc lets me make the decision.  If I am feeling worried and anxious, then she will order a scan.  Of course some type of symptom has to be documented for insurance to approve it.    Last spring she even offered for me to get a scan...I declined because I was feeling good.  I do think that being smart about radiation exposure is important.  BUT if your nerves are making life miserable and you need the scan for peace of mind and quality of life, then I think the Onc should take your lead and order the damn scan.  Its your life and you deserve to have a say in how your medical team is caring for you.  Thats my 2 cents.

  • Mumtobe
    Mumtobe Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2013

    Hi ladies,

    I'm almost finished chemo, next Wed is my last one, and then I begin rads. Was just wondering how long it took for you to get your ports removed (for those of you who had ports)? I read on page one of this thread that one of the ladies was going to leave her port in, am wondering why?

    Much Love,

    Carol x

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 1,442
    edited February 2013

    ((((Annie)))) thinking of you.

  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 2,409
    edited February 2013

    NavyMom - maybe a few MaiTai's, too!!!

    Taxol gals - I didn't have the tearing problem, but my ears got plugged up.  So I used 12 hour Afrin and it just dried up the fluid and cleared out my ears.  You might want to give it a try.

  • minxie
    minxie Member Posts: 239
    edited February 2013

    Annie - so sorry to hear about your sister, and the emotional rough times you're having. Life after cancer is such a roller coaster of ups and downs, it seems.



    Has anyone heard from Lauren who was hospitalized ? Lauren, how are you doing now?



    About scans- I'm in the only with symptoms club, which is fine by me because the stress they cause me induces panic attacks. Which brings me to my update - seroma :( . I noticed over the weekend the TE boob was getting big, and then this week HUGE - bigger than the other already! I called the PS office and my doctor is out this week but the nurses started to freak because they were concerned about a hematoma. I had to teach that night so I couldn't go in until the next morning. When I did, they diagnosed fluid, which makes sense... I've always had issues with drains coming out too early - guess I'm juicier than expected. The crappy part is they sent me to my old breast surgeon because they are the only place that can do ultrasound - guided needle aspiration. I HATE my breast surgeon's office -so many horrific memories in one place. But they drained off 6o ml of fluid and I feel better. That's the problem with no sensation in your breast - I had no pain but a horrible soreness in my ribs and I couldn't figure out why!



    I blame the lice for all this. I know I've been doing way too much when I should have just been recuperating. By the way I did end up calling the nitpicker, who scoured my head for 2 hours. I'm resisting the temptation to check for more nits now, I've been ordered to take it easy so I'm staying in bed today!

  • Sjesse12345
    Sjesse12345 Member Posts: 12
    edited February 2013

    Hello lovely ladies - I haven't checked in on this thread since before my 3rd chemo.  Well I saw my Onc the day before and mentioned I was getting antsy because the tumor did not seem to be shrinking and so she suggested that we switch it up the next day from the FEC to the Taxotere already.  I have since found out from my GP that she (the Onc) saw that I was not comfortable with how slow things were going so that is why she suggested we swtich it up.  Nice to know that she actually listens and takes into account how the patient is feeling.  The Taxotere was definitely not as easy as the FEC, holy smokerinos!!  Day 3 the bone pain came and lasted 3-4 days (have some pain meds for next time now), during those days the big D came finally had to take some Imodium as I was getting weak from it (bought the Jumbo size box of Imodium from Wallyworld so I'm ready for that too).  Am now on day 17 and have been feeling much better for over a week now.  Next round to come next Wednesday.  Taxotere again, the plan is to do at least 3 of those then reasess, if all is good then continue on with Taxotere if not then switch it again.  As tough as the Taxotere is if it's working then I can put up with any and all SEs. 

    Also, my GP gave me a prescription for Metformin (with Onc's ok), started taking that this week, just another piece of ammo, I think us TNs need to gather as much ammo as we possibly can.  Trying to exercise but was down on my butt for the first week with SEs then this past week it was cold (-28C and -42C with the windchill, so definately no outside walks then Frown).  Finally got out for one yesterday, yay.  The low fat thing is going fine on the days I'm feeling all right but while doing chemo there's days you just eat what you can to keep up your strength.  Have lost weight though, not enough to get any lectures from the Onc (have weight to spare so I don't think they're super concerned I'll waste away quite yet).

    Taking advantage of feeling human and heading out to dinner with some girlfriends tonight, I try to pack in as much social activity in that 3rd week as I can!  Going for Creole food, YUM!  I hope everyone has a great weekend.

  • InspiredbyDolce
    InspiredbyDolce Member Posts: 987
    edited April 2014

    Hi everyone,

    Please weigh in ... here is my latest update to my MRI - what do you all think?  

    I had mammo/us in October to get clarificiation on a small scar tissue area at base of right implant - location is important and this was near or at original tumor location.  Findings were not suspicious but not conclusive, they recommended 6-month follow up.  I waited 4 months, and last week had MRI (both traditional MRI and the new Diffusion MRI).  The MRI report says:  "no findings to suggest malignancy", but was given the birads 3 (probably benign) and follow up with initial short-interval ultrasound.

    I've already got a call in to my PS to conference with my BS, and go ahead and get me into surgery and get this out. From a discussion in December, PS thinks it is scar tissue from when he had to adjust my right breast downward or possibility that the sling folder over.  Since my bc history is TNBC, I have requested going for surgery again to settle this once and for all. The nurse at the PS office, completely understood my request, as she brought up that TNBC patients have less options, so lets minimize any and all posibilities.

    What do you all think?  Have any of you had any experience with a birads 3?  I've never heard the term until last week!

    Thank you for your insight and help!

    - scar tissue post-mastectomy, MRI birads 3

  • InspiredbyDolce
    InspiredbyDolce Member Posts: 987
    edited February 2013

    This is an update - I read online that birads3 has less than 2% risk of being malignant.

  • SherylB
    SherylB Member Posts: 147
    edited February 2013

    Minxie,

    I spoke with Lauren 15 yesterday and she is home. I will hope she will come on here soon and let everyone know how she is doing.

    Sheryl

  • christina1961
    christina1961 Member Posts: 450
    edited February 2013

    Annie,

    I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister.  ((((Hugs)))) I will be thinking of you and your family.

  • OBXK
    OBXK Member Posts: 689
    edited February 2013

    Minxie - so glad you were able to get your seroma drained. Rest!

  • queenkong
    queenkong Member Posts: 48
    edited February 2013

    Mumtobe

    You asked about the port. I have decided to keep mine for at least a year, some keep up to five. Mine is working well and I decided it would be easier to keep than get it in again as it took so long to adjust but it has saved me so much trouble. It was recommended that I leave it by one doctor but also I know they will take it out if I want them to. For now, I will keep it.

  • Cocker_Spaniel
    Cocker_Spaniel Member Posts: 1,188
    edited February 2013

    Hi Ladies.

    Feling better today.  it was all the good wishes that you sent that did it.  So thank you for all of the love.

    Inspired I don't think from what I can remember that BIRADS3 if anything to worry about.  I think you just have to have it monitored which is a good thing.  I think 6 is the one you have to worry about. Hope I'm right.

    Also thank you for your lovely note to me. I don't know what happened but my computer wouldn't let me reply.

    Can anyone tell me if they had their port out under a local anaesthetic and what it was like.  Mine is due for removal on Tuesday and I'm getting a bit nervous. 

    Today I did nothing except the washing so I will have to catch up tomorrow, wish I'd done the cleaning now.  

    For all you ladies going through treatment big hugs to you and all of you thinking of taking a holiday (Hawaii) my jealousy lol.

    Minxie,  OBXK is right rest, rest and more rest.  Forget the nits they have gone now so all you have to do is rest.

    Love you all. Annie         

  • Cocker_Spaniel
    Cocker_Spaniel Member Posts: 1,188
    edited February 2013

    ♥Like and Share if you know someone who is a fighter! Free clicks fund mammograms @ www.bit.ly/wHelpWomenInNeed

  • EnglishRose75
    EnglishRose75 Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2013

    Anyone have any thoughts about turmeric's role as a deterrent for breast cancer? 

    http://www.naturalnews.com/037879_curcumin_cancer_cells_turmeric.html

  • journey4life
    journey4life Member Posts: 223
    edited February 2013

    Annie - my deepest sympathy to you and your family. ((((hugs))))

  • Marianne52
    Marianne52 Member Posts: 29
    edited February 2013

    Annie,

    I had my Port removed last week under a local. I felt a slight needle stick and that was it. I didn't feel anything after that. I am so happy I went that way. No nausea like  before when I had it put in. It iseasier coming out. It only took about 20 minutes. You will be fine. good luck...Marianne

  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 185
    edited February 2013

    Hello fellow TN sisters! I am 42 yrs. Old just diagnosed with TNBC and BRCA 1+. Im the mother to three beautiful children, twins boys (12) and a daugter (9). My DH is a recent paramedic grad which is handy with my diagnosis.



    I was/am truly floored with this diagnosis and still trying to wrap my head around it. So far Ive competed 3 of my 4 dose dense AC treatments. Dr said I would do dose dense Taxol also but the nurse at chemo yesteday rad my chart andit says 12 weekly Taxol. Now I have to wait to find out on Monday if that is a typoor what. I hate the way we have to be on top of evey little detail of our treatment plan a well as tackle the physicql healing and emotinal processing of it all. Bleh to it all.....lol



    Im very grateful for the abundance of support and information online though. Thanks for being here!

  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2013

    EnglishRose...I have read that many times about Tumeric. I read the article you posted, good information on there. My Internist once told me that I had inflammation in me and he said there wasn't much I could do about it. Now, that I've been doing researching, I'm finding that inflammation is a contributor of cancer and there are some dietary things you can do. So, I'm going to try that tonic drink with the Tumeric they suggest in the article. I just wish I knew how many parts to put it in it. That was a good article....it took me to other interesting sights as well. Thanks for passing that along!

  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2013

    Sweet pickle .. Sorry your here with us. Yeah, it's quite shocking to hear you have BC enough and then to learn its TN. I had never even heard of TN before. But I had excellent results with the chemo. I am just now recovering from a BMX and Reconstruction. It's going to be a long road. I sympathize with you moms with young kids. I have a 23 year old that just moved back home so he is self sufficient. It is hard to be on top of every detail because our brains get so cloudy. I wrote a journal through chemo which really helped.



    Good luck to you!

  • Marianne52
    Marianne52 Member Posts: 29
    edited February 2013

    Sweet Pickle,

    Sorry we had to meet this way. You will find a lot of support here. I agree about keeping a Journal. It helped a lot during Chemo. Being Diagnosed was the hardest for me. It felt like I was kicked in the stomach. It will get easier as you put one treatment after the other behind you. God Bless you on this Journey.

  • Sjesse12345
    Sjesse12345 Member Posts: 12
    edited February 2013

    Englishrose & Hopex - Interesting article, I started taking a Curcumin supplement just over a week ago as I had read a several other articles about it too.  A lady I met recently who is also TN (not on these boards) suggested it to me also as her best friend is a Naturopath and told her to take it.  He recommended Meriva (the brand) as it supposedly is absorbed by the body better.  I'm currently taking a Curcumin I bought at the store but ordered some of the one he recommended online.  I have not any kind of side effects from it.

    I have been reading about anti-inflammatory foods lately too, here is a link that lists the top 10 of these.  No big surprises on the list, good old broccoli is there Smile.

    http://theconsciouslife.com/top-10-anti-inflammatory-foods.htm

  • natL12
    natL12 Member Posts: 48
    edited February 2013

    to Mumtobe aka carol - My Mo left my port in for close to 3 months until I nagged him to get it removed. My comment to him was " are you expecting the cancer to be back soon, is that why you're leaving it in?" And he replied that I could get it removed. but added...we might wait for 3 months and then find another cancer, or 6 months and then...in other words, there's no guarantee.  Well we all know that!  I think keeping the port in just keeps the cancer in the forefront of my mind. Especially since wearing a bra bothers it.

  • placid44
    placid44 Member Posts: 179
    edited February 2013

    Sweetpickle,



    I think 12 weekly taxol IS dose dense. That's what I had. I think not dose dense is every three weeks. Weekly is supposed to be more effective and also less intense side effects as it is a power dose with each treatment. I did getbneuropathy, and still have it...finished three weeks ago.

  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 2,409
    edited February 2013

    Dose dense is every 2 weeks.

  • minxie
    minxie Member Posts: 239
    edited February 2013

    Hey sweet pickle - I was 42 as well when diagnosed, with a 3 and an 8 year old. It is a shocking, earth shattering change in your life to be sure. Yes, taxol every week is dose dense- otherwise it would be every 3. It's tough but you can do it!



    *^%# ladies, this TE boob is swollen up again! Argh! Not as huge as before but getting there. I want to see if it will get better on its own because I hate the though of the us-guided drainage again at the breast surgeon. But I don't want to risk the complications of a seroma around this implant. I wish this would stop! What should I do?



    I got my port out 5 days after the last taxol. I hated the thing and it made me feel so good to be rid of it. They put me under some type of semi-conscious anesthesia and it was not bad at all.

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