Calling all TNs
Comments
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Renae - We have all gone through what you are dealing with now .. the why? the how? You can search high and low, but at this point in time, there is no definite answer. Hopefully, research will someday find the answer to those oft-repeated questions.
I have gone through this agony twice, personally, in my life...10 years ago with MS dx, and 1.5 years ago with TNBC dx. I looked over the same check lists - family history (no); lifestyle (no); diet (probably not); weight (oh come on, it's not always about the weight!); environment (curse you, industrial polluters); birth control, HRT, Tylenol, vitamins...(curse you, Big Pharma); blah, blah, blah...ad nauseum.
I found no MS in my family, with my friends or coworkers. Guess I just had to be different. Of course, now that I am aware of everything MS, I run into people all the time who have family members and friends with it. "Awareness" brings it out of the shadows.
Same thing with BC, for me. I know of some cancers in the family, but no BC. I had few classic risk factors, but that didn't seem to matter...I got it anyway. There I go "pioneering", again.
Not only did I go down the checklist with BC, but I thought that maybe I had some unique causes. My docs pretty much blew those theories away.
I was on MS therapy drugs pre-BC dx, which are immune system modulators. The last therapy was a very strong one, given monthly by IV. (Little did I know that it would make chemo so much easier for me...been there, done that). It worked wonders for my MS, but did it cause my BC??? Aha, answer found! Nope. I saw a MS researcher, and he stated that so far they have no proof of these drugs causing cancer - but they do suspect them of allowing cancer to spread. Hmmm, guess I have to accept that there is no reason...
But wait! Because, as we all know, Fate or Mother Nature or whoever is in charge of these life situations, has a wicked sense of humor... I know the answer! Nope, wrong again. I used to work in a hospital pathology/histology lab with breast biopsies, ER and PR assays, pathologists and pathology reports. I worked with them everyday, and never once did I think about ever having BC, myself. It didn't exist in my family, I had always been good about getting check-ups, mammograms, nursed my babies, did everything "right". Well, guess what? "Isn't it ironic?" (Curse you, Alanis Morissette!!!)
Soooo, Renae, what I guess I am trying to say with this long rambling message is...don't blame yourself. Stop beating yourself up. You didn't cause BC, you don't deserve BC, but you have BC, and with the help of your family, friends, docs, nurses, techs, and this BCO community, you will fight it with everything you can.
Have a good cry, shout, scream, whatever it takes. (I yelled at the stars when we were camping, that fateful August of my dx). Then set your mind to fighting and LIVING.
Please be kind to yourself ~ Shar
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Dolce - add the threads you want to keep track of into your favorites. It's at the bottom of the page.
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This thread makes me laugh and cry at the same time...
sorry about the goat Bak..but geesh...I can see it in my mind....there is a goat farm near my house..a couple of farms...one has those cute little mini type goats...goats are popular as a 4-h project in my town...we always have to go see the goats....they are quite unique.
Cocker..you totally crack me up..thanks for the advice! funny thing is...everyone, you guys plus all my local friends know about this ring...good thing he doesn't creep on here or on my phone...
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Bak....big ouch! I hope you kicked the goat after you were able to get up!
Titan...Happy Anniversary! That is quite the milestone and almost unusual to be married that long. Congratulations! Make sure you use protection! Lol
Cocker..You are too funny!0 -
Happy Anniversary Titan!
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Hey Titan don't forget we all want to be invited to the wedding!!
By the way, we have Ironman in NZ at the beginning of March. You could honeymoon there cause I expect you to take part, thighs a flapping. I've been practicing really hard at my flag waving again for you and even learn't to clap so book your tickets.
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Be careful Titan you can get stuck like that for hours!!
Michael and Gary got married in California .. They couldn't afford a real honeymoon so they drive back to Michael's Mom and Dad's house in Portland, Oregon for their first married night together. In the morning, Johnny, Michael's little brother, gets up and has his breakfast. ... As he is going out of the door to go to school, he asks his mom if Michael and Gary are up yet. She replies, 'No'. Johnny asks, 'Do you know what I think?' His mom replies, 'I don't want to hear what you think! Just go to school.' Johnny comes home for lunch and asks his mom, 'Are Michael and Gary up yet?' She replies, 'No.' Johnny says, 'Do you know what I think?' His mom replies, 'Never mind what you think! Eat your lunch and go back to school ' After school, Johnny comes home and asks again, 'Are Michael and Gary up yet?' His mom says, 'No.' He asks, 'Do you know what I think?' His mom replies, 'OK, now tell me what you think.' He says: 'Last night Michael came to my room for the Vaseline and I think.....I gave him my airplane glue0 -
Cocker_Spaniel,
"I think...I gave him my airplane glue." To funny and what a visual for mom to find.
Sheryl
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Hey everybody....Our TN thread has reached 20,000 posts! Pretty impressive!
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Happy anniversary, Titan. And thank you for starting this thread. Over 20,000 posts. Wow. Look how many people have been helped and blessed.
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Cocker_Spaniel,
Love it about our friends living in our computers. So very true. The women on these boards are the best friends I have ever had and I have never met a one of them. Sure hoe I get to someday.
Sheryl
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Hi Sheryl, thank you for all your replys. I wanted to ask you and the other ladies a question. Not sure how many of you have started to loose your eyelashes or have already lost them but wondering if your eyes watered alot or had puffy eyelids when you wake up. My eyes seem to be very sensitive right now and I believe I read something about watery eyes could be a side effect. I'm going on my third treatment on Tuesday and still haven't lost all my eyebrows and looks like I'm starting to loose my eyelashes slowly. Did loose my hair the 2-3 weeks after #1 chemo. Which I'm fine with. Just concerned about the swelling eyelids and watery eyes. Thanks for any info. Anne
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Anne - can't comment on swelling eyelids but when my eyes starting watering after tx #3 my onc told me it was the chemo irritating my tear ducts and to use Natural eye drops a few times a day. It helps.
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Annie: Love that cartoon about the internet - thanks. How are you doing?
((((hugs))))
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Anne,
Haven't noticed the eyelashes and brows yet, tx #3 is Thursday. I do wake up each day with my eyes swollen but not so much with the tearing. It is supposed to be a side effect though.
Hang tough, Sheryl
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Anne - I get very watery eyes especially when I am out walking - it is a pain in the butt - I believe it is a side effect which goes away once treatment is over. I don't have any puffy eyelids - at least I haven't noticed. My lashes and brows are still with me and I have one more treatment to go - but I have heard that they can still fall out after treatment - too bad - I wouldn't mind keeping mine!
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Russell....my eyes, especially my left one, were constantly watering. And yes they did look puffy. That could be a result of the steroids. I lost my eyelashes right after I was done with Taxol. Then about 4 weeks after that my eyebrows disappeared. I am now about 7 weeks past chemo and my eyelashes are just now coming in. I can see that my eyebrows are also starting to come back but I fill them in with a pencil. I hear that some people lose their lashes and brows several times. Yikes!
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Annie..I did show the old fellar your post....I told him how much I loved all of you and that I needed you all. I think that sometimes that they just don't understand how real we are all to each other...and that if we did meet up in person it would be as friends..not strangers.
Not ready for the Ironman yet...ha ha...that would be something to come vist you in NZ though...wish I could
Re: eyelashes and eyebrows...don't remember my eyes watering or swelling..I don't think they did but I do remember losing after taxol...I do remember my beautician waxing my eyebrows 3 months after treatment was over so yeah..they do come back...I just used a little eyebrow pencil and since I wear glasses no one really noticed that they were gone...it was for a very short time...
Wow,,,glad that there wasn't any airplane glue around our hotel room
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Hello Ladies! I have been away from the boards for quite sometime. I see new faces on the board and some old ones too!
I recently have had check ups with my Onc and breast surgeon, and both visits went well.
Next month marks the 2 year anniversary from the dreaded day I got the news. So happy to say that I am still NED now!
Hang in there ladies!!!
OH and I was wondering how Dawn is doing?
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I have a question for those of you with silicone implants. What does your PS say about Breast MRI to check for leaks or ruptures? My exchange was almost 3 years ago (March 2010) I am not currently having any issues but wonder if there is a standard of care. I know I should go on the reconstruction thread but you gals have always been so knowledgable I thought I would start here first.
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Navymom
I haven't had exchange yet (3/19) but was just talking to my PS about the last week. She was telling me that she mainly uses mentor silicone and told me that it is said that they need to be monitored by MRI first after 3 yrs initially then every 2 yrs but she totally does not agree. She said she feels it is unnecessary screening. Unless u feel a problem lump discomfort etc and she feels the need for MRI to see what is going on she does not like the MRI. And if she is going to go in with surgery anyway for problem she says no mri still. unless you have to get one for screening for another reason to look for cancer/recurrance she says no to MRI for silicone implant screening.
Melissa0 -
Ksmatthews...Glad your doing so well. It's always nice to hear from you ladies that are a few years out. Have you changed anything in your life such as diet, etc.
I don't think Dawn has been on the boards but I do know some of these ladies are FB friends with her.
NavyMom...I can't answer your question as I have TE's in. But I will ask my PS this week as that is a great question.0 -
I'm worred about Dawn also...anyone heard from her???
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Annie - you crack me up!!!
Had my port dye study today. There is a tear in the catheter. The dye came out up at the top instead of the tip. So I guess I will have to have it replaced, when my blood counts improve. (insert F bomb)0 -
Titan you are just like my eldest daughter. Both of you are absolutely hopeless at keeping secrets. What did you tell the old feller for. Now he will have an excuse all ready for saying no!!. When its two weeks before Christmas and all the pressies are wrapped and have their names on my girl goes, go on open one, you can, go on just open some. Its the kids who say no mum we want to wait until the day. Now you have gone and blown it lol. Bloody typical just can't hold your tongue for one moment. Well don't blame me if he says no to the proposal cause I didn't tell him lol. You might just as well take all that sheer new lingerie back to the shop. Mind you my old feller can't keep a secret either. He gets so excited he has to tell you. But don't worry we love you too and it would never be the same on here without you.
Karen my port blew a fuse too. All the saline and heparin went into my skin and made all these cute little patterns. They were quite nice and added a little something to me chest lol.
We are having one awesome summer. Been down to the lake tonight to give my little hounds a swim and Tessa didn't want to get out. Chloe is one little sook. She got her feet wet and then made out she was cold by shivering. I had to wrap her in a towel to keep her warm but we were all sweating with the heat. Do you know she has been a good girl lately (I know, wonders will never cease). But I think it's more cause I threatend her with a great big stick lol. Even the old fellar took his socks off (wow) but he didn't want to get his feet wet cause he said the water was tepid, big girls blouse lol. I ask you what did he want a bloody hot bath!!
Tazzy bout time you got back on here. Always miss you like crazy. I don't really trust the facebook page for leaking information as it often changes and your privacy goes with it. But I'm doing well at present as we all hope you are.
Have a good day tomorrow and hopefully you will have no side effects. Annie
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Titan-WOW 30 years congrats! I am barely at 10 years and somedays I just want to do some type of harm to the old fella!!
Navymom-I am due for my MRI as well. We are scheduled to do it at around the three year mark. Do you still see your breast surgeon/specialist? I still see my breast surgeon, but yearly now.
I am worried about Dawn too.
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Dawn has posted some little comments on FB just this last week. Hoping she comes on and gives us an update but I think she is busy enjoying life!!
Maggie
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Annie - did you have your port replaced? So glad you are enjoying your summer. It sounds like you have spoiled the whole lot!
Give sweet little Chloe a kiss
I'm having one of those days, where you are very busy, but you just peck here and there, so it doesn't look like you've accomplished anything! Well, at least you can't write your name in the dust anymore Think I'll give Augie a bath and trim.
Wishing everyone the best possible day!0 -
finished chemo # 4 of 6 today, 1/4 of the way to go. I had the convo about scans and blood work for monitoring and he's not budging.
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