Calling all TNs
Comments
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Peabrain - wow, we do have the same! Thank you to you and Cocker for your words of encouragement! Packing my stuff for tomorrow. My daughter made gifts for all of the nurses and my son made a "last chemo" sign for me. Seems like this day would never come
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Lou53....Hold that "Last Chemo" sign high‼️
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Yeah the pain started when we were packing to put our house on the market so I just thought it was bc of that. That was 5 weeks ago. I'm trying to not worry and just get through this week (spring break) and make a decision early next week. The chiro appt today has made it hurt even more, hoping the massage will help on Sunday.
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jenjen muscles sometimes take a while to heal and you probably haven't stopped hauling things about since the first time you noticed it. Has the pain intensified at all. I don't mean to sound rude to you in any way but I noticed some time ago that I had pain in my remaining breast. The more I thought about it the worse the pain got and I convinced myself that cancer was growing in that breast. Finally got up the courage for a mammogram and ultrasound and there was nothing at all. Once I was told that the pain went and I haven't had it since which proved that it was on my mind and it's all I thought about. I so hope that it was moving the boxes and tension on what it might be is the cause. Sorry if I have offended you as this was not my intention just trying to say that our mind plays tricks on us, a lot. Sending big hugs.
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jenjeni...have you tried lying on an ice pack for 20 minutes every 45 minutes. Also, if you can tolerate it, ask your doctor for 6mg Motrin. Not over the counter but an Rx. I have a chronic back condition and have found over the years that massage and seeing a chiropractor make it worse. Also, lie on one side when you sleep and bring your knees up to your chest with a pillow in between your legs. Hope it clears up so you can put your mind at rest.
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Jen, Happy Birthday! And hoping the back improves after the massage on Sunday.
Lou, just so happy for your last chemo!
All recovering from surgery and reconstruction, (you know who you are!) Please update us on how you are doing!
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Cocker - my goodness you are not rude (ever)! What was nice was when I first noticed the pain I didn't even think cancer so that is awesome! I think what has me worried is that it's not getting better with a reduction in activity. Some days it's worse and others not as bad but always there. Its in a new spot not the usual post surgery, post chemo, post hysterectomy back pain. I know my hip has degenerative issues so maybe it's just expanding. And I do agree and have been telling myself that i've had scares and they were nothing. For me I am at the point where I say, where is the line to have it looked at. I'm thinking 2 more weeks
Cathy - I will try that, I tend to go to my heating pad...actually to be honest I could possibility have an unhealthy relationship with my heating pad. I have it on my back nightly after work and when i go to bed. I remove it once i feel myself fading. I will try the ice, good suggestion. I agree I think the chiro might have hurt more than it helped. I think I am just trying everything before going to MO.
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Jenjeni...forget the heating pad, especially if you're overusing it. Not good. I've found that the chiropractor kills my back. At times I've gone into muscle spasm which left me almost unable to move at all. You can try taking the Motrin before a hot shower with the water hitting your back. Then get into bed flat on your back with your knees drawn up. Put the ice pack under a towel so it doesn't burn your skin. No more than 20 minutes at a time. Wait 45 minutes before using it again. Don't make your own pack. The drug stores have nice flat gel packs that you can refreeze. You don't want a bumpy home made pack under your back. Personally, I'd skip the massage for now. Try to heal yourself. Don't forget the sleeping position. Also, if you don't have a cervical pillow for your neck, that's something to buy also. I'm speaking from the experience of a lifetime of back problems. Good luck
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I have low back issues too. My sacro-iliac joint is hyper mobile, and when it goes out, it can be unbearable. My physical therapist taught me how to put it back in place by myself. Sometimes it takes a few tries, but usually helps. And yes, ice is your friend.
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I'm after some advice wonderful ladies.
I had infusion number 8 of my 12 taxols yesterday and during the saline flush between the pre meds and the taxol my port started to leak. Bummer, big time, but at least it wasn't while the taxol was being administered. I'll have to go in for a line scan to see what's going on, and I'm just waiting for someone to call with the appointment time. The taxol was infused via catheter in the back of my hand (after a couple of abortive attempts).
When I had bc the first time five and a half years ago it was triple positive and I had a port then. After my last herceptin treatment I had the port removed two weeks later with my onc's blessing - he didn't think I'd need it again. But with this bc being triple negative he told me the port would have to stay in at least 2 years.
So - my question is - do I have the port removed completely and just hope for the best, and hope my veins stand up to the remaining 4 treatments, or do I have it replaced while they are there?
Has anyone been told how long their port needs to stay?
Thanks all - I was pretty down last night, but had a good night's sleep last night and now starting plan.
Trish
xoxo
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Trisha-Anne, wow, I am sorry that happened, and I am glad you are ok. I am sorry about the recurrance too, once is enough, yes? As for my port, I have had it since Aug. 2013, and I will have it for a few more years. I amTriple Negative IBC, my Onc doesn't want to have it out for awhile. It doesn't bother me at all, I forget I have it. Your question is tough...I am curious what others think...I might be tempted to try it without the port...what do you think?
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Trisha- Anne, so sorry both about the recurrence and port issue.
I was told I couldn't have a port because I have a blood disorder which caused a DVT some years ago. Onc said that both chemo treatment and port was creating higher risk for me to experience blood clots and another thrombosis so he didn't want to risk it. The veins in my arms have really started to suffer now after 3 FEC treatments and the nurses have started to have difficulty finding good veins to cannulate now.
I wish I could have a port as I hate being jabbed with needles all the time while they try to find veins that work. I've started to dread it. Before Cancer I never minded blood issues at all. If they can get your port working properly again without leaking, I'd personally stick with it having struggled myself without a port! And whatever you do decide, I hope it's not too stressful. Setbacks and decisionscan be so difficult to handle and I'm hoping this one will be quickly resolved for you one way or t'other. Sending cosmic hugs for you. X
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Whoa! That's the first I've heard about needing to keep your port that long! I will be asking my nurse about that one. I've only had mine for 3 months and there is a hole along where the incision was made to install it.
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Scotbird- My MO told me to get a small hand exercise ball ( like a squishy ball) and squeeze it. He said it would help my veins pop up. It seems to help. There was no problem last week.
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Trisha Anne, so sorry to hear that. It's a tough call to make. I have heard keeping the port on for years but I just asked my Onco this and he said leave it for a minimum of 6 months if I really want it out but he would prefer much longer.I have thin skin and small veins so I really didn't have a choice.
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My port was removed at the time of my lumpectomy surgery in December...
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I was told I had to keep my port minimum of 2 years since I'm IBC. Counting from time it was placed.
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hi all,
I hope everyone is well! I don't post much because I'm "trying" to be as normal as possible.. But I lurk and check in on you ladies (and husbands.)
Yesterday was my 1 year from diagnoses... I wasn't sure when to count 1 year but it seems to be dx date... I did chemo first so it couldn't be from surgery date?! Anyway... 1 year ago yesterday I got that awful phone call... 2 weeks later I was on chemo. I'll never forget any of it. I was a healthy active 30 year old new mom (Lilian my baby was just 4 months old) We had no family history... It was so shocking. I remember thinking the chemo would kill me if the cancer didn't.... I was so scared because it was so unknown....
Here I am tho! With my short extremely Curley dark hair... At work. My baby is walking and talking... I'm still scared. Everyday I have to convince myself the cancer is gone but life does go on and I do feel almost normal at this point. I'm different then a lot of you in the way that I don't go in for aches and pains... My onco was very real with me saying they couldn't do much if it didcome back so I try to enjoy each day and wish all my pains away. I'd rather live a normal life as long as possible without knowing... May sounds crazy but it works for me.
I hope this gives the newbies some hope... It's only a year but for me I feel so grateful to be alive and seeing my little girls grow.
Best wishes to you all 💛 Stay strong. Stay brave, and never lose hope
if we have hope, we have everything!0 -
my port was removed 3 wks after chemo. I needed it removed to mentally heal.
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Lillierose, so happy for your one year anniversary! So happy for you and your family. Enjoy life! I can see that you are.
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Ladies & Gents,
No METS! But really bad arthritis. Last scan was approx. 10 months ago & it a lot worse now. I'll take that. Before not in spine. Now is mostly mid back. But YEA!!!!!
Thank you all for the support
Marsha
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Marsha
I AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR YOU ARE ALL CLEAR! Take care of that arthritis, exercise will keep us going.
Hugs!
Arlene
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Marsha, - I am sorry about the arthritis, but so glad that its not mets!! Now you can breathe easier!
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Marsha: Excellent news! *BIG HUGS* for crappy arthritis!
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Marsha, I'm so thankful it's not mets!! Thanks for updating us so quick!
Ladies, and men too, I hope you don't mind me posting this here but I would really appreciate prayers for my family. My mom went in for a yearly physical and they did an EKG since she had never had one. Her doc said it looks like she had a heart attack at some point! She has had issues with reflux/heartburn, so perhaps one of those episodes was actually her heart. I dunno. She sees a cardiologist April 13th. Guys, I'm so scared! I'm more scared for her than I was for myself when I was diagnosed with cancer. I will be 40 this month but I'll always need my momma! She seems ok but she's good at hiding things from us, me especially because I worry so much. I know this isn't cancer related and I'm sorry! We could just use some prayers please!
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thank you meadow
Congrats on the scan Marsha!
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Marsha, so glad for your ' mets-less ' scan results. I hear you re bad arthritis, I have had several bone met scares with bone scans and mri come back negative for mets but Arthritis yes. Sorry yours is so bad.. Always think how things change once in bc club, and what a ' good news results' is to us, like your arthritis not being mets. If helpful, i got given diclofenac for joint pain and it worked a charm ..unfortunately, i coudnt keep taking it due to palpitations it was giving me. Hope it or another drug gives you releif soon, now you know what you are treating.
Luvmyd.. Sending your mum, and you doubly calming vibes and prayers right now. It's good docs found out for her. Now they can assist and hopefully prevent any new attack. It's good/ lucky they found out now not after a worse attack. Deep breaths and look on this on that positive note if you can. Docs can be preventing in their work now.
Shiny
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Luvmydobies .... I am sending prayers and good vibes to your mom. Try to relax (not easy) and think positive. They are doing unbelievable things now for the heart. Be strong for your mom. Eventually the tables turn and she needs your strength now. I will be thinking of you and hoping for the best.
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Marsha...did you ever think you'd be happy with an arthritis diagnosis!!! Good news even though it can be challenging to handle. Water exercise works wonders
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