2010 Sisters
Comments
-
Welcome LilyLou. This is a fine group of folks. Lago and AmyJo - geat that you are feeling better. GD - prayers for you and your surgery this week. Samsue - that really sucks about you getting LE. I travel pretty much weekly and need to get my busy butt in to see an LE therapist to get measured for a sleeve. I will be kicking my busy butt if I get LE from flying. Goal for this week: LE appt, shrink appt. Yes, I finally got a referral to a BC shrink because the PTSD is getting to me. I dream about breast cancer every then I wake up and can't go back to sleep. BC is consuming my thinking. When I am working I'm fine but at home in the evenings, my brain is on overdrive in cancerland.
This whole BC things sucks and I know you all are with me on that one.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
0 -
Welcome LilyLou, I agree with you, this is the best place to be. I didn't find it until I was half way thru rads. It's really a blessing how everyone shares. For me, It confirms and reaffirms how great women are!
BarbaraA, it really helped with the sleeve while flying, hope you check into it since you're in the air a lot. What do you do about the air quality in flight? I've now got a sinus thing going on..UGH. Always happens, well almost always happens after a flight.
Making a list of things to do today, knowing that maybe I'll get one of them done.
0 -
I know BarbaraA is the serious traveler here, but Samsue I once read what the head of FFA or TSA or one of those flying-acronyms did when he flew, and I've been doing the same ever since, and since then have not caught anything from flying, whereas previously I often caught a bug from flying.
In your carryon of liquids, carry natural-tears eye drops, and plain saline nasal spray, as well as good hand sanitizer. Wipe down everything like your tray table, seat arms, etc with the sanitizer. Use eye drops to keep your eyes moist. The nasal spray is to keep your passages moist in the dry cabin air, and the moisture allows your inner-nasal-cleaning system to do its work more effeciently. Do it pre-flight and in-flight. My seatmates sometimes look at me like I'm a bit of a nutcase (accurate), but others think it's a good idea. Like I say, it was a tip from a pro of pros, and it's worked for me. Now, I'll also be packing or wearing my LE sleeve....
Welcome to all, and best wishes for good results!
0 -
Similarly to Lost Creek, I carry hand sanitizer and touch nothing (use sanitizer after putting on seatbelt, wipe armrests), drink nothing, NEVER use the lav. Now as far as the 4 or 5 morons who get on the plane with spewing, productive bronchitis, I also carry saline solution (use it for my contacts) and soak my nostrils a couple times. Fortunately for me I have a pretty good immune system and have never (knock wood) caught a cold from said morons.
Also, I do exercise my bad arm every 10 minutes to hopefully, prevent LE. The sleeve will halp me rest easier about it.
0 -
Welcome LilyLou, I was fortunate to find this when I was first dx and these ladies have been so supportive through everything. Nothing is off limits on how you are feeling or what things are making you sick or frustrated. We share good news too.
Samsue - sorry to hear about your LE. I wonder if I need to get a referral to a lymph specialist? We have a trip planned to fly from NC to CA in October. I already have the cards that tell the security people that I can not go through their scanner because of the tissue expanders. Guess that will be one more call for Monday's squeaky wheel list.
DesignerMom - Of course there is a God in Heaven - after all He made Texas;-) I am so glad you were able to get the appointments and tests scheduled with ease. I don't have a clue about the mold, not there yet or else I skipped that part? Prayers are with you for your appointments and tests this next week.
I am still not feeling very good, but at least I am not nauseated. Yesterday's headache is gone thank goodness. My DH is fixing pork tenderloin for supper since that is one of my favorites, he is hoping I will eat something beside Ensure, horchata and popsicles. Well here is another surprise from my DH. He had a housekeeper come today to make sure I did not have to lift a finger to clean anything for awhile. Nothing has really been cleaned since my cleaning binge before my surgery. He has even made arrangements with friends and neighbors for someone to be with me when he has to go back to work next Tuesday. I think I have the perfect DH.
0 -
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I should have used more of the hand sanitizers! I had a direct flight so wasn't exposed to more than those on the plane. It smelled strongly of fuel just before leaving the gate.... UGH. I do use the saline solution I made myself from Himalayan salt but didn't think of the eyes.
I've been a real slug so far this AM. A friend just called and wants to meet me and go to the fresh market for veggies. Bless her for getting me started and off the couch.
0 -
AmyJo: If I send you my husband's email address, could you please have your husband send him a list of "my tips for taking care of a woman with breast cancer"
0 -
amyjo- I bet your DH thinks he has the perfect wife too! LadyinBama has a great idea. Your DH and my DH could write that best seller book on what to do and not do when your wife gets cancer!
I've been avoiding doing anything today and it is nearly 5 oclock! I guess I better at least do some laundry before it takes over the house!
0 -
LadyinBama - My DH said to tell your husband to man-up and love you more than he loves anything else. Don't make plans, don't have expectations and look for ways to show you that he adores you. It all begins and ends with unselfish love. My DH is a man of few words, he makes things he says short and to the point. I wish all of you could have a husband that shows you he adores you everyday in everything he does. I am so wonderfully blessed with him in my life.
DesignerMom - I did manage to print out 2 labels for packages that I had ready to send to the grandchildren. They may even make it into the mail on Monday! I think I am finally feeling a little better. I probably was not drinking enough water, at least my fever is staying under 99.5 for the last 2 days. Good luck with the laundry.
Everyone have a restful evening.
Joy and blessings
0 -
My DH does pretty good, I didn't meant that, it's just that the idea of having someone come in and clean sounds like a dream and I don't think he would ever think of doing that since he doesn't even see dirt! Every dust bunny drives me nuts, but it doesn't seem to bother anybody else. We just had a wonderful dinner of rotteserie chicken, peas and cake for dessert, all which he cooked. Time to settle in for the evening's football games.
0 -
Hey Louise! I underwent the same regimen - TCH, and am now doing the herceptin every three weeks. Were you able to take Tamoxifen, or did you require it? I was allergic to it, and am now scheduled for a hyst/oop.
0 -
Hi everyone,
I completed the Brachytherapy Contura five-day radiation on August 31. I had a rough three days with pain at the end, but after more than 10 days out am not showing any other after effects and am healing well. I would certainly do it again rather than the external rads.
I'm not planning on chemo even with the HER2neu+ but if I can find an oncologist who will prescribe the Herceptin only, give that some thought. The oncologist I did see is willing to go with the hormonal, so that may also be a possibility.
I've been told repeatedly on the forum that refusing chemo is not good, but that is my choice. I'm not suggesting it for anyone else. I have suffered for years with over-reactions to many different drugs and am opting for quality of life.
So, at this point, at the age of 70+ I enter a period of "watchful waiting" . The tumor is gone with clean margins, the tiny spot in one node is gone, the radiation is complete, and I had a clean PET scan. The rest is up to God.
0 -
worldwatcher--> Good to hear from you. Thanks for sharing your dx and tx. It is a very personal choice. We each have to do what we can live with. I would recommend the Herceptin because it doesn't have many side effects, and you only need to take it for a year. Good news on the PET scan, margins, and node! I think you'll do well--best wishes to you!
Tina
0 -
Having a nervous breakdown as my reality hits me smack in the face. I went for my Chemo Teaching on Friday. I cried in the waiting room at the cancer center. I realized that I will be in that waiting room every week for the next 6 months and then often for the next year. I was called in to get my blood drawn and started to cry so hard....took me 20 min to calm down.
I finally met with the nurse and for almost 2 hours we went over all the SE and the what ifs and what to do about the what ifs. I'm starting to doubt and rethink chemo. I have my port scheduled for Tuesday and I'm still sick to my stomach over it.
I can't imagine what my life is going to be like going through chemo. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to handle all of this. I know I'm being such a big baby, but I'm so afraid. I wish I could be as strong as all of you. I can't even make an appointment to get my hair cut off. How am I going to handle being bald and the SE???? Is every day going to be where I can't/don't want to get out of bed?
I don't mean to rant, and I don't expect answers to my questions. I don't know what anymore.
0 -
We've all felt what you expressed so well. My heart goes out to you Jag. I'm starting next week or the week after and just had my port put in. Oh, and got a nice short hair cut today. (c: Warm thoughts. A
0 -
jag-You are going to be fine. I think I can speak for most of us, we were ALL terrified before the first chemo. If you need some extra help, don't hesitate to ask for some medication. I know a lot of ladies have taken Ativan to help them "brave up" at different times. Use it only when you need as it is somewhat addictive. But DO ask your doctor for something to help you. Remember the saying "you don't have to be brave, you just have to show up". For me I kept asking myself whether I would be happy that I DID or DID NOT do chemo a year from now. I knew the answer. Like you, I have a young child. I want to see him grow up and I want to dance at his wedding someday. If that means throwing everything at this cancer right now, so be it. I am keeping you in my prayers.0
-
I see you're in NYC, prayers to you DM.
0 -
Jag-->My thoughts are with you...I know what you are feeling, most of us do. It all seems so overwhelming right now, but you will get through this. Just keep putting 1 foot in front of the other. And def. ask your onc for Ativan. Call and tell him/her how scared you are. Ativan helps with anxiety and nausea, and helps you sleep as well. For awhile I needed it before every tx. Losing your hair is a difficult se, but its only temporary, as are the other se's. Right now you need to do whatever it takes to get better--for yourself, for your loved ones. If you look at your whole lifetime, this is just a small amount of time that you need to spend getting better. Life will never be quite the same, but it WILL be good again. And because of the tx, it can be a long, healthy life.
I'll be praying for you!
Tina
0 -
Twylight - are you having the ooph and then you will take an AI instead of the tamoxifen?0
-
Jag - Don't worry about the port. It's really nothing and makes the whole process so much easier for you. The hair is an adjustment but it's only temporary. Lot of really good wigs available too. Check out TLC.org put out by the American Cancer Society. Take it a day at a time and before you know it, you are finished. And by all means, get some meds from your Onc to help you through the anxiety - you will be amazed how it helps you put the whole process in prospective and get through all of it.
Twylight - Had a Hyst in 1996 so Tamoxifen not suggested. Did you have 4 TCH or 6? I was suppose to have 6 but had so many problems with colon that I said no more after 4 (had existing colon problems - just me, doesn't mean is a normal SE).
Worldwatcher - I don't really understand why Herceptin seems to only be given in combination with Chemo ?? I'd be wanting answers to that and pursue getting Herceptin if you can. I have no SE from it and I tend to have problems with a lot of meds too but not this one.
0 -
Jag - You will be ok. We have all gone through that. I thought I was going to vomit when I went to my teaching class. I had my first chemo and waited until my hair started comming out in clumps before I made an appointment to get it cut off and I made an appointment at the local wig center before my first chemo so that when I did get my hair cut the wig would be ready and I could go right over and get it fitted. Not sure what youi are having to treatment but hopefully you wont have to many SE's. I think I can speak for most woman on here when I say we were all petrified for that first chemo treatment but you can and will make it through. And dont worry about ranting, this is the place for it. We all have our times that we need to let out steam and vent and the woman on here are wonderful and you can say what you need to and get great support.
Jen
0 -
Worldwatcher, from what I have read Herceptin seems to work much better when given with chemo. This is why they are given together. I totally understand you not wanting chemo if you feel it isn't going to do much to help your survival. There are negative risks associated with getting chemo that can compromise your health although few/not many people get them.
Hope you can find someone to help you.
0 -
Jag- you are going to do great. Everyone of us has freaked out, had a nervous breakdown or just cried for hours on end when the reality of our disease hits us in the face yet again. It doesn't mater how strong your faith, or how big a fighter you are. Sometime it is a good thing to have a melt down. This is no picnic, but it is better than it used to be. There are plenty of meds to help you "Saddle Up" and if you need them ask for them or have a friend or family member go with you to ask for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope you can regain a sense of calmness. Know you are loved and being lifted up by so many.
Glad I am not the only one that comes here sometimes to "freak out".
Joy and blessings.
Amy Jo
0 -
Jag I think back to my first 3 weeks and how freaked out I was. I am not that kind of person either. When I met with the first PS he was so concerned he told me he was thinking of contacting my BS about my mental condition. He also said the patients that are calmer do better… I did not choose him as my PS because of this. My current PS is overly pleased with how I'm doing.
My point is you will have your ups and downs. I was so scared of the MRI and sentinel node biopsy. Not so scared regarding surgery. As far as chemo… I'll let you know. I can't say I'm calm about it though. I meet with the oncologist on Tuesday. Chemo has so many unknowns and I think that's what scares us. Just remember that although there are all these side effects you will not get all of them. Also more people post here to find out how to deal with side effects. Very few that get few side effects post… why would they? They're doing fine. You could be one of those. Also there are so many drugs to help with the SE. No one should be puking! There are several drugs out to help with that.
But of course the hair will probably go for most of us. Just think, no leg or pit shaving! No more time wasted blow drying or washing hair. No more bad hair days for a while!
0 -
Lago- so happy to see you are doing extremely well!
0 -
Hi Ladies, Jag - I am going to have my first chemo this Friday and I'm already getting very nervous about it coming up. From what I read here we are the "norm" feeling this way. I had my picc line put in Thursday rather than a port and they had to do it twice as the first one got caught up and wouldn't go any further. It was sore for a day and very bruised but I'm doing fine with it today. Finding a covering for it when I'm so allergic to tape was a challenge. A port probably would have been better for me but they gave me no choice. This is what I have now and I'm told it will save my veins. Good Luck to everyone with all the procedures and tests and chemo's.
Cathy
0 -
Hi Ladies......
Jag, Cathy, Amyjo, it's so nice to know that i'm not alone in my melt downs. And nice to know that I am normal after all. It is the greatest thing about this board.
I have anxiety disorder anyway, and the Beast has made it soooo much worse. I'm losing my hair when I comb it. I've made an appt to get it cut next week. Probably will shave it then. Sad to see it gone. Kind of scared to know what I will look like as I have never been a really self-confident person.
I'm told the ACS has a program, "Look Good, Feel Better." They will give you a wig and make-up, and teach you how to apply it to boost your self-esteem during this time. I think I will try this, as mine is suffering a blow right now. I look and feel awful right now and any 'boost' will help I think.
This is the 3rd Day after the 2nd Chemo......The joint pain is back. It is early morning. I will see how it goes today. Am taking the pain meds this time though.
0 -
Cathy, Why did they give you a picc line instead of a port? (sorry if I missed this info...)
Jag, Please don't feel bad about freaking out, it happens to the best of us. The chemo nurses said it's very common for patients to come into the first treatment crying (I was because my "D"H and I were fighting...the night before I was starting chemo he was yelling at me about not doing enough around the house- but that's a whole other thread!) Just let us be here for you and take one day at a time. You will make it, and once you get started you might say "Wow, it's not as bad as I thought!"
Amyjo, I'm so glad you're doing well. You're so comforting and supportive!
Worldwatcher, Good for you for choosing your path and sticking to it. All the best to you!
As a Her2+ gal it'll be interesting to see where things go with you. I would think Dr's would be interested in that also, but maybe they don't want to take on a "high risk" patient- ? Or someone they consider a "rebel" - haha!! You rebel, you!! At 70, WTH!! Do what you want!!0 -
Lady Madonna - I am in Ontario, Canada and I asked my surgeon about a port and she told me they only use them for people who will be on chemo long term. Here they used picc lines, I find it odd too but this is the "norm" for having chemo here. My mother-in-law had one 8 years ago when she had to have chemo.
mac5 - Our hair is so a part of who we are and it is hard losing it and its hard on our self-esteem. I cried when I first tried on a snood (hat like head covering) I made - imagining myself bald and wearing that thing! Now I have picked up a couple of scarves and learning to tie them and hopefully I will be prepared when I loose my hair. Your despair over it is quite common I would think. Hope your bone pain is better this time when you take your pain meds before getting bad. Best of luck in days ahead. Sending hugs.
Cathy
0 -
Well Cathy, six of one, half a dozen of the other- they're both a pain in the butt, but necessary and temporary! I've dealt with them before (with a family member) and they're not that big of a deal. I'm sure it will be in your chest, under your clothes and unnoticable to anyone but you. They can give you the supplies to clean and flush it at home yourself, it's really simple. I guess you know that too, since you probably had some experience with your mom-in-law's. The important thing is to get through chemo and on with your life!!
0
