Calling all TNs
Comments
-
Hi . I hardly ever post .. But im always seeking info. I'm stage 0 DCIS -had a lumpectomy then re excision 2 weeks ago- they say now I have clean margins ! So next step is Radiation .
I still worry though because of being Triple Negative, also I worry that there might be more CA someplace , since one spot they found was only found during the MRI , it makes me wonder if there's other areas ... That no one saw . It's hard for me to be able to accept that all is ok ... I go back and forth . Clear margins... Yay .... But what if ??? Lol0 -
Goldycat - it is normal for all of us to wonder whether there is more cancer cells hanging around inside our bodies - so you are not alone in that regard. It is important to trust your oncologist and surgeon - they are the experts. You will be fine with the radiation - it is very do-able. The ladies on this forum are great - don't be afraid to ask questions!
0 -
Melissa and Goldy: It is very natural to worry during and following treatment. I was very scared of a recurrence up to 18 months following, and my mind still goes there if I have any funny symptoms. But give yourself some time and it does get better.
Melissa: Know that your TN was early stage, and you've done everything you should do to beat it. Diet and exercise are our secret weapon now. Remember too that a large majority of TN women go on to lead healthy lives following BC, but they don't post here so often.
Goldy: Know that yours was non-invasive, yay! And that your docs will be super vigilent in checking for anything further going forward. According to bco.org, the odds of a recurrence after Lx and rads for DCIS are 15%, and half of those recurrences are DCIS again, not invasive. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/dcis?gclid=CLeHxcHwu7kCFbAWMgodi2AAyQ
0 -
Naan - i love your attitude and your posts. Thanks for being with us. Nat
0 -
Naan my wife was concerned about continuing to work since she works in a hospital. But, she decided to try it since she works in Labor and Delivery, where the patients are healthy, rather than a part of the hospital where there are folks with diseases of all sorts. She also says there is nothing more healing than being around a newborn baby. Thank you for your kind words.
0 -
Naan, thanks for that... It is how I feel too because my youngest is 8. I will be there for them. I am a warrior, I WILL WIN!
Thank you to everyone else as well. I wish everyone a great day.0 -
Naan the names of your fish have made me so hungry for a burger, sucks having the metallic taste in your mouth!!!!
0 -
Hi Everyone,
Julie, Oh I love the names of your fish and I think they fit the colors of the fish accordingly too! LOL Too cute!
I went to your blog page and I have a question. Did you have radiation after chemo? So was your treatment first chemo, then lx and then radiation?
I also totally love your photo hanging ten upside down! hehehehe You are so funny! You always make us laugh around here.
)0 -
Hey all! It's me again the lump was just scar tissue. Woot woot!
Now, if God could just take this period away I'd be happy. It's been flowing since August 10th. I meet with my gyn on Tuesday for an US. I hope it's fibroids or polyps. Anything but the big C.
Julie, fight the good fight our kids need us. I have a (just turned 10) autistic son, a 7 year old daughter, and a little boy who will be 3 at the end of the month. Don't give up. EVER. We will be here for you and whomever wants to vent.
Alhusband. Keep on doing what your doing. Excuse all of us hormonal(or not) women when we rant and rave. We do it here to provide an outlet that doesn't hurt OUR caregivers and we are safe to do so.
Attention lurkers: feel free to join in anytime. We don't judge and we all help each other.
God Bless us and cure us all. (((Hugs)))
Becky0 -
Honeybunny9, have you heard about a great camp for kids of cancer patients, called Camp KESEM, they have camps all over the US, run by college students, absoutely free for one week during summer. My girls have been going for the past 2 yrs and love it there. They meet kids just like them who has a parent sick at home. For that one week they get to just be a kid and not worry about us. I started Heaven at age 6 and Olivia, at age 9. I thought I was sure to get a call from camp saying Heaven is screaming and cring and wants to go home. That call never came and as soon as they got off the bus from camp, in unison, they said, "mommy, can we go again?" Thery really loved it there and made lasting friendships with other kids like themselves that they can actually relate to. The camp counselors are college students who volunteer their precious time to come up with fundraisers to help pay for each child, so we don't have to. These college kids are so selfless and genuinely care about these kids. We are part of the UCLA chapter, but like I said, there are universities all of the country that run this camp and growing. You should look into it and send your 8 yr old, it is lifechanging. A lot of the college counselors were once campers too. My older daughter Olivia already talks about how she wants to go to UCLA, so she can be a counselor to help kids like herself because she really loves the camp!
0 -
Inspired, yes, I had chemo first Nov 2011-5/22/12, then lx June 2012, then radiation Aug 2012-Oct 2012.
0 -
Angstapp, are you using Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash. It really helps with the metallic taste and any dry mouth issues. At Walgreens right now in our area they have buy one regular price and second one half off, take advantage of this great deal if there is a Walgreen near you, I totally stocked up. If you ask the manager nicely he/she may let you take the whole inventory at the same rate. I didn't even have to show some leg or anything, hee hee. I told him I was gonna share some with other patients in treatment, so he let me have all on sale, so sweet.
0 -
Biotene!!! I will check we have it in our country, it is so bad - I never had it like this with the other chemo's!!!
0 -
Did you guys notice my new pic, meet Magic Kim, a new addition to our family. I went to Petco Sunday after church to buy some fish for our fishtank, since my mom won't let us have a dog, puppy, cat, kitten, rabbit, you get the picture, she doesn't like animals. They didn't have any fish, but they were having adoption day with 3 adorable dogs and 1 sweet kitten. I knew the dogs were too much, so I decided to adopt the kitten. He is a 5 month old Tabby named, "Magic," he was so lonely looking and my girls fell in love and I never knew I was a cat person, but here he is, my magical kitty. Isn't he so cute! I promised I would keep him away from my mom, so she caved, hahahaha! I am the ruler of the universe! My sister-in-law was upset cause she thinks he might get me sick. I'm going to insist to my Drs that I need him to fight this difficult fight, so everyone at home will be ok with me keeping him. I hope all works out. All you cat people out there, its ok to have a cat dring treatment, right?
0 -
Angstap, if you can't find any, I will ship you some, PM me your address! I could hook you up with the great deal!
0 -
Hi Lurker here, just to say find you all wonderful
You have helped lift my terror at TN DX and I have now changed my mind set.
Started to excercise, eating more healthily and planning a future. I am 65 years old and like you younger ladies on here still have a lot of living to do.
Even enjoying green tea !!
Naan, you are an inspiration, if a sense of humour will work on this awful illness you will live until 100.Blessings and minimal se's to you all. Edi
0 -
Ok, will sing out tomorrow!
0 -
Scouser 47, awwwwwwwwww thanks, I try. I love humor, and they say laughter is the best medicine!
0 -
Julie, what a cute kittie! I have three cats, and they slept with me throughout my chemo and other treatments. They 'purred' me to sleep. I remember reading somewhere over the years that a cat's purr has a calming effect on humans and can lower stress and blood pressure.
Carol
0 -
Naan (and other cat owners) - you do need to take some precautions while you are doing chemo, if your cat uses a litter box.
"Most oncologists allow patients to change litter boxes during chemotherapy, but with caution. When changing your cat's litter box, you must be take extra care to avoid being exposed to any parasites, bacteria, etc. When changing the litter box, always wear latex or rubber gloves, a mask, and be sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water afterward. If your white blood cell levels drop to a certain level after chemotherapy, your doctor may advise you to avoid cleaning your cat's litter box until your levels increase."
0 -
I didn't use any precautions dealing with my cats during chemo. My MO was watching my white cell count carefully and, when it went down into the lower end of the normal range by the 3rd infusion, I got my Neulasta shot which hiked it back up. So I was never without a normal-range immune system and therefore could carry on as I always did.
Those who unfortunately end up with greatly suppressed white cells need to take all precautions, and not only with cats.
Carol
0 -
ALHusband – Congratulations to your wife! She sounds incredibly strong and she must value her job (work family) dearly to be so motivated to work.
Laney64 – Have you reviewed your pathology report from your biopsy? It may have clues to tell you how aggressive your cancer is. I would start at www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis. There is a lot of good information that is sectioned to help you better understant what your report really means. I hope this helps.
Naan – YAY for the burger!!!! I have 2 cats and they were with me during my last treatment and they will be with me this time too. My MO said I should let someone else handle the litter box but as long as they are clean, healty animals and they ltter box stays clean, they should not be a problem. I can’t imagine going through this without my kids! I’ve had them for 13 and 11 years. To go witout would be torture! Congrats on your new kid!
I was supposed to start my chemo today but apparently my insurance has not yet approved it. Needless to say I'm in a rather pissy mood. Hopefully, they will figure this out soon and I can start tomorrow.
0 -
TifJ the tatooing part is a BREEZE compared to everything else.
0 -
Becky, this is awesome news! Oh I'm so happy to hear it!
0 -
Julie,
I love the new kitty, a big 'purr' out to Magic Kim!
Pets are fine during treatment, and our 2 cats actually slept with me on the couch, as I liked to stay up half the night, and they were right there with me, on my pillow, on the back of the couch, etc. I just made sure not to kiss the cats on their foreheads anymore. I really missed that, and don't kiss them anymore like I used to, but they get fake forehead kisses now with my nose.
For changing the litter, I think if you use disposable plastic gloves (we get 1500 of them at Costco for ($9.99) and use a blue mask from Walgreens that you will be fine - and that's probably more precaution that you even need. We got masks - a whole box - at Walgrees, which are blue and soft and conform to your mouth. We got them because we were doing a racing event outdoors and I was worried about exhaust fumes. With so many other people helping you, I think you can delegate the cat litter changing to them, because, well .... you ARE the Ruler of the Universe!
)Double check with your Onc, but you should be okay for a cat!
Also, it's interesting you posted the kitty news. I found a pure white stray cat outside last night, and we took it food and water. We can't have any more pets, so I've got a call in to our Vet to see if he will take it. We have a big storm going on right now, and all I can think about is that kitty. I hope he is okay.
0 -
Hi nann, I live in the South Bay and while generally cooler can empathize with you on the temps last week. oy!
Go commando! I do it all the time now. I bought a wig and wore it twice and then the hats were too warm so I even go bald at work. I simply don't care what others think
And, I guess one of the "perks" is people tend to be a lot nicer when they see your chemo head! I do wear sunblock if I go out without a ballcap but wear one if I'm in the sun for any amount of time.Not sure if I have chemopause but I certainly get the hot flashes. I bought a cool towel this weekend - you can get them at CVS and probably most drugstores. Basically, it's a chamois that you soak in water, wring out and it stays cool so you can wrap around your neck. I wrapped it around my head and it worked great - may have to try it at night with the hot flashes are the worst.
0 -
Melissa - I was 35 at diagnosis earlier this year (am 36 now) and I understand your concern. I worried about recurrence, side effects, which surgery do I elect, what the future holds, etc. I did a lot of research and just decided that I can only do so much to help try and change the outcome so why worry? I have TNBC and I'm undergoing treatment and when it's over, I'm going to exercise more, make an effort to eat a bit healther (still gotta have a couple of beers with my USC Trojan football games!) but I can't do anything other than stay on top of follow-up visits, self-exams, and knowing my body so why stress out? It's kind of like that saying - you could get hit by a boss crossing the street or struck by lightning so I am trying to be live life to the fullest and enjoy family and friends.
None of us know how long we have so enjoy what we have now. Just my opinoin but I found it made me a lot happier and it significantly reduces my stress. I can't change it and I know I can do a few things to help it so do that and keep moving forward.
Good luck - I hope you find your happy place.
0 -
I need to vent, I completely lost my rag last night.
Feeling crap but hey you gotta still get dinner ready, what vege's did hubby buy at the supermarket - just carrots, no other vege's. He saunters in and asks "what's for dinner", I say "carrots 5 ways dumb ass", well I just lost it and started breaking raw carrots up onto plates, swearing and cursing etc, so I set the table for the 3 of them, so off he goes up the road to buy some hot chips - calls into the supermarket and comes home with a box of radishes - What the hell man!!!! Carrots and radishes, jeeeeez, now I'm typing this it's funny but I just completely lost it, never done that before. Cancer sucks, and only cause I can say it on here I'm so bloody constipated it just took me 2 hours to go to the toilet - and it felt like childbirth my 4 year old will have graphic images for the rest of his life, because of course there's no bloody privacy around children, I hate today! arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Deep breath!
0 -
Thanks Fighter! Just the thought of a tattoo needle gives me the shivers!! Maybe someday I will get up enough nerve!
0 -
Erin, you made some valid points. I like to suggest to others when they are newly dx'd that don't try to change everything at once. Change what is easiest, and then add on to that from there. Get rid of the things that you stress out the most about regarding diet, and then slowly start replacing a bad item with a good item. If you can't change everything you want, change those things that are attainable. Also, on a related note, if you are exercising, and I do know, it's hard to find time. But if you are used to your workouts, and you can't get in a full workout, try to get in half. Every little bit helps, and it all adds up at the end of the week. With each meal, and 1 cancer fighting item. If you do that, this means at the end of the year you added 1,000 nutritional items to your diet. That's a great amount. So if you must have that hamburger, opt out of fries and get a sweet potato plain. If you must have a waffle, opt out of the potatoes and get half blueberry/half strawberry in its place. If you must have an omelete, trade out the muffin for fruit.
0
