Calling all TNs
Comments
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wooooo toooo the hooooo for Marsha's good news...this is awesome! Still waiting to hear but keeping myself busy so I just do not think about it.Love and hugs to you all....YOU ARE AMAZING
Mags
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Mags, hang in, waiting for your good news.
Ladies,
Now that the big C worry is gone, I brought up my problem at yoga today. Well, the wealth of knowledge in that group is amazing. A friend asked if she could check my back. I have been doing all the poses with no discomfort (other than normal from the BMX adhesions & port removal area). Well my body has been evidently compensating & my back is a train wreck. The problem is I don't feel it, as dead nerves all around that area. But when she started pushing into muscle WOW pain!! She is the very involved wife of excellent chiropractor in town & very knowledgeable. So that may be cause of my headache. Now have to find a way to get therapeutic massages for adhesions approved by insurance company & get some doctor to order it in correct way so will be approved. What we have to fight for is ridiculous. Anyone ever have any massage therapy approved as part of rehab?? I did not have one minute of rehab. It was surgery, PET scan, port in & chemo. Wham Bamb, not even a thank you ma'am!! Anyone have any ideas or knowledge in this area. Flying blind so far.
Marsha
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Get yourself into that chiropractor!. About 3 years ago I had a terrible muscle spasm along the right side of my spine. I went to see a recommended chiropractor and he treated me on the spot and ordered massage therapy with one of his massage therapists. My insurance covered it. I only saw the chiropractor twice..he said my problem was all muscular and I need massage therapy and NOT chiropractic treatment. I went once a week for a month or so and then once every 2 weeks. I still have a problem with the muscle spasm but it is so much better than when I started. Now I go about once a month. I get what is called a therapeutic massage. And I am a happy lady on the day I get a massage.
Waving hello to everyone. Hoping the time goes fast and the results are good for all those waiting for news. I read often to try and keep up just don't post often
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Marsha,
Navy mom made another point without even realising it. You don't need it billed as a bc related issue. Go to the chiro/massage therapist for back pain and muscle spasms. It may be caused by chest tightness, but the back issue can be treated separately.
By me, there is a pain relief center (chiropractor, physical therapist, massage therapist, omt, and acupuncture all under one roof for one co- pay each visit). I went there when my right arm started going numb 2 yrs ago. They started treating me with massage and chiro-care. It was a month before my muscles listened up enough to feel pain. I understand what you mean about it being so cramped it is numb. Once I was feeling pain, they sent me for an mri. Turned out I have 2 herniated disks in my neck. It's not bad enough for surgery, but I get acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage twice a week now (though I'm on hold and really missing it while doing chemo)
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Meg - so sorry that chemo is stirring up other problems for you. Maybe the chemo affects your immune system so much that the vitiligo is not kept under control? MSers have immune systems in overdrive, so the chemo knocks them down enough to calm the self-attacks. Simplelife's Crohn's disease and asthma seem to react the same way.Sometimes it's all a guessing game, isn't it?
Hope things settle down for you once chemo is over.
Take Care ~ Shar
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Looking, I have been having massage and chiro sessions since
February due to back issues! My insurance would not approve the massage, so I’ve been paying $35.00 almost
weekly for a 30 minute session, I would do it all over again! It is a very painful session, but leaves me with relief! I
actually took this week off just to give myself to get rid of some of the soreness that it causes so I can tell where exactly I am with the back pain and it is MUCH better!Like you, I was told that I would have been receiving therapy during rads, I probably wouldn’t have developed so many problems, but hind sight is 20/20! The MO and RO are only worried about treating the cancer!
Also, the chiro I see actually works on the muscle rather than popping joints!! I love them both and wouldn’t be well today without them!
Also, I noticed, Looking, that you and I were almost dx at the same time, however, I never was given a PET Scan and to this day I wonder why. I’m told it’s because my nodes were clear! But my tumor was very large, so I live with the fear that my back pain is actually mets! But I’ve asked about it and no one seems concerned!
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Nettie,
I was given PET as one node positive & they wanted to find if mets anywhere. PET was negative so no RADS. Had 2 A/C's treatments & had to stop as allergic to chemo. It was a close call for me. Hospital intensive care, isolation. I have no regrets for stopping as know I really didn't have an option.
Unless back pain is traveling & getting worse I don't worry.
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looking forward, which chemo did you have a reaction to? Just curious...I'm on the same treatment plan.
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Well I spoke to soon, having really bad pain tonight. Really scared because I have done nothing to cause it.
Pain in my ribs and back and now starting with a cough. I'll see how the weekend goes.
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CanuckMom,
You have to understand I am a weird case. I have a LOT of allergies. My doctors have been known to consult with medicine specialists to figure out drugs for my illnesses. I have sinus & food allergies too. I prayed chemo would be ok, but had concerns. I was to be on adriamycin & cytoxan for 6 doses - 2 weeks apart. Those two drugs are cumulative in the body (building on each other). After the 2nd, dose 4 days in - I developed a raging fever. Called MO, was told to be at office at 10 next day. By that time I was a mess. Got to office saw doctor was told to go to hospital. My husband was talking me as I was a mess & getting worse fast. In ER my pulse was faint, white blood count below 400 & playlets "in the toilet" according to admitting doctor telling my husband. Was taken to ICU & put on isolation. With my problems they were afraid infection, virus, cold or most anything could push me over. It finally came down to whole blood transfusion as I couldn't take the drugs given in this situation. After better & home I discussed my situation with BS as ditched MO for a laundry list of infractions. BS at same hospital at that time & reviewed my records. We were on the phone for over 1 1/2 hours one late afternoon discussing me. Since I have lived with my allergies for years, I really keep in touch with my body. Was always one to go "moderation in all things" philosophy.
It finally came down to the cumulative factor. No one could guarantee I could withstand 3rd treatment & no meds I could take to help. So truly no option. I stopped.
It took me 6 months to be able to go back to my yoga. I couldn't even walk far earlier. I developed tinnitus, accelerated my arthritis & shot my eyesight. Just with 2 doses. But everyone must realize my system is not normal. I still have memory problems with short term recall.
So I had to go with my body. I have given it to my Lord & will be grateful for what I have every day. My last treatment was 2/28/2013. I do not take any drugs. I do take B12 & D3 along with multi vitamin & try & eat healthy & AVOID sugar. Now I need my back muscles fixed to get rid of the headache & I'll be ok again.
So that is my story. I am so proud of each of you ladies for being able to complete your chemo schedule. I wish us all the best for our new lives for the rest of our lives.
Marsha
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A NO CANCER news sounds so good!!!
oh yes, the port is in! But you know, I am ok with it...actually I am ok with anything other than cancer or any life threatening disease. As long as I get to live till 60 or 70, as long as I get to see my daughter grow up into a beautiful adult and get established in life....all is ok!!
Cancer was a blessing in many ways..I have stopped complaining about so many things which used to bother me earlier. Priorities in life are suddenly very neatly set!!
Nettie and others who were talking of a rib cage pain, in all probability its a muscle pain caused due to muscle inflammation. I keep having it on and off. My radiation oncologist prescribed a painkiller, which relieves the pain for a few days.
But...it you have rib cage pain, while you breathe in and out..then it could be a case of rib bone fracture.
love and wishing u all good health
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Looking,
After hearing your story, I feel very lucky. I too have severe allergies...as a child the dr actually told my parents it was easier to tell them what I wasn't allergic to...food, grass, dye, clothes...I was a mess. However I took allergy shots for 7 years and got things under control. I tolerated chemo exceptionally well...even got a break from allergy and arthritis trouble thanks to mega doses of benadryl and prednisone. But now, thanks to the chemo wiping my immune system. I'm almost back at square one with the allergy.
BanR, no pain while breathing. Just movement.
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Just wanted everyone to know I have gotten relief from my headache. Explained my mess to a friend, long story short, a friend of a friend was willing Saturday to give me a massage. It lasted 2 hours! I was a mess, but when left was headache free. Was told it would return but not as bad. I have a lot of inflammation of muscles due to scar tissue & adhesions. So have set up massages for 2x a week until get rid of inflammation. Still having twinges but a zillion times better. Would you believe she only charged me $50.00 for the TWO hours & she wouldn't take a tip. Still going to neurologist to see what she says.
Have a great day everyone.
Marsha
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Hey Marsh...Will your friend fly to NY? Lol
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Marsha that's great, just to get any relief I'm sure is worth it!
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Yes..isn't massage great.
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Spica-sorry to hear that you have MS. I still haven't heard anything yet. I had a terrible time with Abraxane and Taxol the time before. I do think a lot of my pain is from that. I just have to keep reminding myself each morning as I wake up how much better I feel when I get moving. It is so hard some days when that exact moving causes so much pain. I am eating better, but it is so hard to stay on track. I joined myfitnesspal to track and it is so helpful.I know many of you are great researchers and have so much knowledge. I have a question not related to cancer. Do you think losing weight is strictly a matter of calories in calories out for weight loss? I feel like it is so hard to lose weight. But I am so much less active than I used to be. It is just an interesting topic to me. Some say it doesn't matter about what you eat, as long as you have a calorie deficit you will lose weight (of course you will feel better if you eat clean). Also, some sites say to lose slow and steady, no more than 2 pounds a week. I need to lose a lot of weight and I see all these extreme weight loss shows were they lose over 30 pounds a month. It seems it would be so much more motivating to see the weight drop quickly than to do the 2 pounds a week thing. I know they are supervised by a doctor and exercise like crazy, but it would be nice to at least shoot for 5 pounds a week:) Are there any good motivating exercise threads on here?
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Bak94,
The calories in, calories out thing makes sense mathematically, but I don't think it's the only factor. When I was a teenager (back when our bodies were amazing performers) my two best friends were much heavier than me. We walked EVERYWHERE and covered miles and miles each day. They were perpetually asking me how I stayed skinny and they didn't. We were together almost 24-7, ate the same things and had the same exercise...there is your genetics.
As an adult, one of my best friend's wives is a fitness model. She is the picture of healthy eating, exercise, and weight training. She is also a licensed dietician. Her big enemy is water. She drinks a lot of it (as we all should) but her body loves to hold on to it. She will drop 15 pounds before a meet by taking water pills (not something I recommend for people who do not pose on stage for a living) but it shows that even the healthiest among us with perfect calorie intake still have other factors that determine weight.
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Bak, I belong to SparkPeople and have the same user name that I do here. I think it is a great website in terms of education and answering your questions about diet and weight lose. Their website is free and quite extensive. There is a breastcancer support team along with lots of other teams. Their smartphone app is a one time fee. I have it, but rarely use it....I use the website on my laptop instead. It is a wonderful place for weightloss and fitness support.
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Bak - I managed to put on about 30 pounds since treatment (10 pounds a year like clockwork), and I was alreay 10-15 lbs overweight then. I just started Weight Watchers in March and am down 21 lbs so far. If you do the math, that's only a little over a pound a week, but at least I'm 21 lbs lighter then when I started! And I've had a couple of vacations in there where I gained a few pounds and had to get them back off. I'm about halfway to my goal. I am exercising more but made big changes in my eating habits. It's very easy to do, and after a couple weeks on the program it really became second nature. My husband also has lost weight during the process because I'm cooking a little differently. This program really helps me make lifestyle changes so I don't gain it all back. Because, let's face it, after going through chemopause, my metabolism has definitely changed permanently. Just something to consider. I really struggled to make a commitment to weight loss, but after having a couple of successful weeks, my motivation hasn't faltered. Good luck!
Kathy
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A small piece of information.
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I did Weight Watchers too and had real good success with it.
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B9!!! results came in today and doc says it is not cancer! Happy dancing0 -
Great news Mags!! So happy for you!
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Mags, yahooooo!!! Doin the happy dance! Go celebrate! Really happy to hear this, you made my day!
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Interesting link on the moles...I do have many of them.
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yay mags!
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I had my first follow up today, 3 months since treatment ended. My Onc said everything looked and felt good, normal healing. Scans in 3 months. Happy.
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Hooray Meadow!
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Awesome, Mags! I'm so happy for you!
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