2010 Sisters
Comments
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Sunflower - My BS said to take off 2 weeks following my mx, which I did, although I felt pretty good after about 10 days. I felt MUCH better after the staples were removed at the 2 week checkup. I have an 8-5 job, but my boss was flexible with my hours since I wasn't sleeping well. Sometimes I would go in late and work a little late. During chemo I worked throughout, except for chemo days and a couple of days after, depending on how I felt. I have sick leave as a state employee, so it wasn't a problem. So total, I probably took off 3 days every 3 weeks for chemo. I could have actually worked some on chemo days, since the SE's didn't hit until the evening, but I had the leave time, so I used it.
Make sure you do the exercises they give you as soon as you can. It takes a long time to regain your range of motion. Unloading the dishwasher and putting away the dishes was my goal. You can judge how you are doing by which shelves you can reach!
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LadyinBama, Omaz,, AmyJo ,GrannyDukes ,DesignerMom, Barbara, Tmarina,Tryn2staycalm, MrsNice, Teklya, 208Sandy....I'm sure I've missed a bunch.....just want you all to know I'm thinking about you and praying the best for you.
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Had a day off from cancer yesterday. Went to Connecticut to a friend's gorgeous house and gardens for a ladies luncheon. So good to be in the "normal" world for a brief relief from all this. I highly recommend it, feel actually rejuvenated! Of course I met a lovely lady there who is in chemo for BC. I think she will be joining us here soon, I told her how great all of you were. About all those drugs, drugs for SE etc...I just saw this quote and laughed. Aint it the truth!!!
"Reality is a crutch for people who can't cope with drugs". - Lily Tomlin
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I wonder if some women gain weight on chemotherapy because there is this persistent underlying nausea (at least for me) and eating something makes it temporarily go away. I end up eating more calories than normal because of increased frequency.0
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I was told by my oncology nurse chemo doesn't make you fat. It's a combination of what you eat and lack of activity. You might also have a little weight gain if you are pre/peri menopausal because then you become menopausal. Just a little weight gain in the tummy.
Eat healthy and you should do OK. It's all those comfort foods and sugary stuff that will kill your waist line.
You're face might get a little blown out from the steroids. That goes away once you are off them. Also some chemo does cause some people to retain fluid. That can also seem like you are gaining weight.
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May 24 - Went to a GYN appointment for uterine fibroids and doctor found lump.
June 2 - Breast ultrasound and Mammogram, discovered two clusters of micro-calcifications in left breast
June 9 - Met with Breast surgeon, she gave referral for biopsy
June 16 - Stereotypic Biopsy
June 21 - Diagnosis: 06/21/2010, DCIS, Grade 3 & IDC, Stage II, Grade 2, PR+ HER2+ER+
June 30 - Lumpectomy, 2 cancerous lymph nodes removed
July 7 - Pathology report stated 11/13 positive lymph nodes; in addition, my margins are not clear.
July 14 - Met with medical Oncologist, he wants me to start chemotherapy before another lumpectomy or mastectomy surgery to clear margins. He gave me a BCRA test.
July 20 - PET scan
July 22 - PET scan results... 2 additional lymph nodes detected... did not spread past lymph nodes and BCRA test results... negative
July 24 - Muga test
July 26 - Port inserted
August 2 - Chemotherapy (hemoglobin 11)
August 4 - Zolodex shot
August 23- Chemotherapy, iron was given with chemo (hemoglobin 7.1)
September 3 - Zolodex shot (hemoglobin 8.6)
September 9 - Pelvic MRI
September 14 - Chemotherapy (hemoglobin 11.1)
September 16 - Flu shot, DNC Laparoscopy, to check for endometriosis
October 5 - Chemotherapy
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Hi Ladies! I am FINALLY feeling better . . . jeez this is so discouraging to sleep and sleep and wake up feeling crappy all over again. I wake up with really weird headaches - not a normal headache, but my skull bone hurts in various places, and a few other bones too. Thank you, Neulasta. Anyway, so far this a.m. (it's 11:00 in SoCal) I've had 3 pieces of that lovely dark chocolate-covered ginger from Trader Joe's, and I think I might manage a cup of coffee with my breakfast.
Lilylou wrote: One thing that got me was the confusion after each chemo - no way could I have been effective working for at least 3 days right after tx. Apparently this was the Benadryl that is given with the infusion to prevent allergic reactions. When the confusion cleared, then the pain would start. My tx were 3 wks apart and maybe I would have 1 week of the 3 that I could have worked.
I am totally with you on this, Lily. I'm normally very sharp-minded and multi-tasking was my middle name; not anymore. I've come to the conclusion that I would be doing my co-workers and clients a disservice if I was to try working during chemo. I've just decided to take all the time I need to recover, and not feel guilty if I feel good and enjoy myself a little that last week before the next treatment. I keep doing Sudoku puzzles so all the synapses don't totally disconnect!DesignerMom - that ladies' luncheon sounds wonderful!! What a way to rejuvenate. I've never been to Connecticut, but I know there's some lovely properties there. My in-laws live in upstate/western New York, and MIL's gardens are just gorgeous. We just don't get enough rain out here in the SoCal "desert". Love the Lily Tomlin quote. My friend sent me a card that says "People who think laughter is the best medicine apparently have never had MORPHINE. Take your drugs and get well." HAHAHAHA
Omaz - my weight has gone up and down every week while on chemo. I would prefer it to keep doing down (have 100+ to lose), but my onco says no dieting while on chemo. So when I feel crappy I eat a lot of the BRAT diet - rice, mashed potatoes (yes with butter!), toast, crackers, cookies sometimes. Weirdly enough that's when it goes down. It probably went up when I went back to enjoying my wine during that last week or so before treatment, but I've been slapped on the hand for that so I'll likely not imbibe until I'm all done in November.
Prayers and good thoughts out to everyone - here's to drugs managing drugs!!
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Sohardbnme.... welcome to the thread. It seems like you're really having a lot to manage. Come back often the ladies here are great.
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All right ladies, let me catch up with you.
MrsN You just need to get through chemo and worry about weight and life style changes later. (((HUGS))))
DMOh a day off from cancer sounds divine and I plan to do that next week when a friend of mine and I drive to GA in her pickup (a duellie) to get her Harley which broke when she went home for a visit to Iowa. The folks shipped it back via train and GA is as far as it could go so we are getting it. She will ride the bike back and I get to drive the big duellie!! YIPPEE! LOVE big trucks but never drove one. Should be OK as long as I don't have to parallel park.
SoHard Man I seriously hate doctors and I have never seen so many so many times.
Jag Thanks so much for praying for us. It is always needed and always appreciated.
LilyLouWhere you been? Missed you and hope you were doing something fun and un-cancer!
Omaz, Lago, Samsue and all others (((HUGS))))
I am walking the Komen Saturday in beautiful downtown St Petersburg FL. I will post pix of me in my T Shirt with a special message for all my sisters!
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And a special ((((HUG)))))) for GrannyDukes!! She gets her path back tomorrow. Prayers and more (((HUGS))))!
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Sohardbnme - Welcome to the group. Sound like you have joined our roller coaster of doctors and drugs. Come back often. We are here to encourage, love and support each other on the journey.
DesignerMom - Wonderful when we can take a break, even if for only a day, and not have to think about or deal with BC. I plan on taking a long break to see grandchildren for a whole week! Then back for the next round.
Grannydukes - ((((((HUGS)))))) hoping for good news on path report. Prayers are with you.
Lago - I have managed to stop loosing weight at least for the last week, so maybe I won't get fussed at next week when I go for a mid-treatment lung function test. I have lost 20 lbs in the last 2 months. It would not hurt me to lose another 30, but onco say I need to try an hold where I am. Then he starts me on physical therapy! More exercise and not eating any more, duh!
BarbaraA - can't wait to see pics. My daughter ran her first 5K Race for the Cure in San Francisco last weekend. She was running for me. She set a pace of 9.32 minutes per mile without really pushing it. She is looking forward to more runs.
Everyone else - Hope you all have a restful evening and a good night's sleep
Joy and blessing,
Amy Jo
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My first "normal" day since chemo. I actually put in 8 hours at work, not because I had to but because I wanted to. When my back started to hurt I called it quits. It felt good to be productive and I really did miss work. I am hoping to make my sons homecoming football game on Saturday. It will probably our last nice weekend here in Maine. I live in a small town (not my wish) and the homecoming game is equivalent to the Super Bowl! I not only want to support my son, but it will be nice to be out in the fresh air and amongst friends.
I'm glad to see some of us taking the time to enjoy what makes us happy. I know that cancer has made me slow down and enjoy the moment and not plan the next event before the first one is over.
I visit with my hairdresser tomorrow. She ordered some scarves for me and because she caters to cancer patients she has tons of ways to tie and wear them. I do have a wig and I also ordered a short style wig, but I'm thinking when I feel as shi*** as I did I may not want to deal with the wig!
I hope we all have a good day tomorrow....or least a better day than today!
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Hi there! I, too, am walking in the Canadian Run for the Cure Sunday, 3rd, Oct. I hope I feel well enough to do so. My daugher organized a team of 20+ and they are all there for the cause (and moi, of course). Not sure how I will feel wearing the pink t-shirt this year! After the event we are all heading out for brunch. We are supposed to have awesome sunny weather so does it get any better? To all of you expereinceing this "hell" right now - you are in my prayers and thoughts. Sending all of you good vibes/wishes your way.
take good care and just breathe. . .
Teklya
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Tek good luck on getting through the walk. I can't remember the last time I walked three miles. ((HUGS)))
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Best wishes to you all this evening, thanks so much for being here!!!
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Just wanted to say I think its great that some of you (or your family members) are doing some of the walk/runs. I think I would be too emotional right now. And I have a hard time getting extra attention for this. But I'll be thinking of those that are out doing it!
I agree this isn't the time to worry about eating habits! Especially if you are feeling sick from chemo. Just eat whatever tastes good at the time. I lost weight all through the chemo I was on last year, and the AC this summer, but now that I am on Taxol I am gaining weight! I was hoping to keep the weight off. I think its because the taxol doesn't make me sick, so I am eating more, and I'm not getting any exercise. I really need to work up the energy to start exercising again!
Hope everyone has a happy Friday and a great weekend!!
Tina
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Tina- I'm so glad you are feeling better. Like you, I am trying to get exercising again. They say walking 6 days a week for 30 minutes lowers recurrence something like 35%. I have to get moving again....if this rain ever stops!
Have a great SE-free weekend all my friends!
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thanks to all my sistas who are doin the walk.i dont walk but as soon as i get on my feet and get all results back i will be volunteering for breastfriendsforever.that will be my share of giving back.
i hope you have wonderful weather on the day(s) you girls walk.Ill be thinkin of all of you.God bless my sistas.hugggggggggggggs
K
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Well, I just spent an hour or so on this post and can't find it!!!!!! Too late to start again - will try for tomorow.0
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Grannydukes - So good to see your up and posting again. I'm also am doing the run for the cure on Sunday. Also my daughter is doing it down south (Brantford) where she works. She also does the autism awareness walk as she is a instructor therapist for the autistic (very proud of her). So I'm walking for all my sista's and she is walking for Me. I'm just glad its on one of my good weeks and not on my bad week or I'd never be able to make it. Good luck with your path tomorrow granny - I'll be thinking of you. huggggggggggggs back. Best to all my sistas
Cathy
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Hi everybody, I'm trying to keep up and just wanted to say hello! Sorry to see more new ladies here. I finished TCH on June 21st and rads on September 21st. Feeling pretty good, a little tired. Next onc appt is Monday and I'm guessing the Tamox subject will come up. Herceptin alone is going okay, although my heart function was pretty low on my last echo- not sure if that'll be an issue in the future. Just praying along with all my sisters for health and peace!
Love to everyone...I'm amazed at the beauty and power in these boards every day. I'm convinced there's as much healing here as there is in the infusion chairs. Thank you for all the friendship and support!!!
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Hi Everyone, I figured it was time to give an update and officially "join in" on all the talk.
Had my MRI guided biopsy of the second suspicious area that went horrible! It was Negative thank god, but I hope it is a correct diagnosis. While the tube/needle was inside my breast, they slid me back into the MRI machine.... I heard a "gasp" and was quickly pulled out. I heard a nurse ask "do you want a new tube?" and The Dr say "No, I'll use the same one". I asked what happened... and of course was told, "Oh nothing... everything is fine". As I was sitting up they were scurrying to cover the blood in the machine, on the table and on the floor with those blue pads. My first stereotatic biopsy was painless. This one with MRI at a different hospital, was awful.
With that said, I will go in on Oct 12th for a partial mastectomy and ANB. (thats whats written on my pre-op papers.)(I guess it's the same as a SNB) ? My BS feels this is the best option for me. Then, once healed enough I get the port, and to start the chemo I have been reading so much about, then the radiation, oh, the year of herceptin, and 5 years of tomaxifin.
Not sure if I should cut my hair before surgery or wait till the last min.
This better kill it all, I do NOT want to go through all this again!
You all have been in my prayers every night, even though I havent been very active in the forum.
Kristy
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Wow, Hi Kristy. It was painful to read about your biopsy - ouch! I would ask the surgeon to explain what the ANB is and how it compares to SNB.
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Hi, it says "axillary SLN mapping and Biopsy". I know he told me they needed to check my lymph nodes during surgery, so Im sure its Dr lingo.
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Some of you may or may not have noticed that I have never put my Diagnosis information at the bottom of my posts. Today I will. I have not ever done so because of the Metastatic Stage IV initial DX. What the DX here does not say is that after surgery (BMX) I did not have clear margins and the doctors told me that they did not think further surgery would be of any benefit to me. Yes, mine is treatable but not curable. I will have this the rest of my life. I am thankful that all of you have a real shot at a cure, but such is not my lot.
My treatment is more directed toward quality of life and living as long as possible, and not as aggressively seeking a cure. I sometimes wonder why those of us with stage IV do not get the same aggressive treatment. We seem to be the forgotten group in BC Awareness, research, and clinical trials. No one wants to hear our stories because there in no hope of a happy ending for us. We can only try to live each day the best we can, with as much dignity as we can, and try not to bash in the head of people that say stupid things like "you are so strong, if someone had to get this it was good it was you because you are so strong." or "I know your faith will carry you through this, it always does because you have such a strong faith." Strength and faith have nothing to do with it. At this stage it is a fact of daily life that you will always have cancer and treatments will never end until you die. So we just deal with it and try to move on to the things that are the most meaningful to us and that will leave our family and friends with some good memories. My heart breaks when I know that I will probably not be able to dance at my grandchildren's weddings.
I don't mean to put such a downer on everyone, but I absolutely hate October and all of the Breast Cancer Awareness stuff. We don't need more awareness as much as we need a CURE and we need it NOW. My daughters have learned more about BC than I ever knew and although they do not have BC there is always the possibility that they will. I just pray that if they do it is detected early and they have a change for a real cure. I am not sharing this because I want pity from anyone. I want people to know that not everyone starts at stage 0, I, II, or even III. And that if a woman thinks something is wrong with her, even if she cannot describe it, she should ask and get more diagnostic testing done and don't think things are just a normal part of "not being a teenager anymore". I had no symptoms or tell tell signs of BC until this past July when I first felt a large mass. I had a mammogram every year since the age of 35 and nothing ever showed up. I did not know I was sick until I went to the doctor, I felt fine, just a little tired sometimes, a few aches, and sometimes a little shortness of breath, but with sever asthma and being 60 you tend to think of those things as a normal part of aging. Yet the doctors say I have had this for at least 5 years and possibly 10 years.
I pray all of you have the rest you need to help heal your bodies and that a status of remission or cure is in sight for each of you. For now I will just keep breathing and continue to saddle up and ride to the end.
Joy and blessings,
Amy Jo
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BarbaraA: Wanted to help the Rays move up. Rained out tonight. Wouldn't be surprised if the Sox took 3. Go Rays.
So sorry to hear about your Father. I lost mine when I was just out of high school and there was a lot left unresolved in the turbulent times back then. Your Dad is lucky to have you and you're lucky that you have such a fine relationship. I read your "Father's Day" letter and could feel the love, admiration, and appreciation.
Have a great road trip!
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My dear AmyJo- Whatever you need, we will be here for you. I'm sure you already know that many of the dear ladies on the Stage IV threads have been there for a long time. I pray that you and your doctors can find a way to manage this BC beast so that you will be here a long, LONG time. Every day they are discovering medical miracles. The cure we all dream of may be just around the corner. I promise to keep you well stocked in dishes to break. And, yes, I have seen enough pink to last a lifetime. I am just hiding from all the pink BC rah, rah shish goom bah!0
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AmyJo honey - you hang in there! Everyday I pray for a long overdue breast cancer cure for all of us. Think of the breakthrough announced just in June of this year by New England Journal Of Medicine for melanoma. On a personal note, my sister died of leukemia when she was 16, only 3 months after she was diagnosed. Today, children with her exact form of leukemia are living normal happy lives disease free. So I have hope the cure is out there just waiting to be found. Just wish they'd hurry up
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Hi, everybody! This is my first post as I was just diagnosed on 09/27/2010. Underwent a lumpectomy on 09/21/2010 for what the radiologist, ob-gyn, and surgeon believed was a benign tumor (fibroadenoma). Much to their surprise it was found to be IDC, 2.5 cm. One margin was not clear. I am scheduled for re-excision and sentinel node biopsy on 10/05. Hoping that no nodes are involved. Will meet with the oncologist following surgery to determine my course of treatment. I am 33 years old and still in shock that this is actually happening. Glad to have found this site and am grateful for the understanding and support of others.
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Hi Kristy! It sounds like you will be having the Sentinal Lymph Node biopsy--where they inject dye and take the node or nodes that have the dye in them. These are the first nodes the bc would travel to. If they have cancer cells, then they will take more nodes to test further. At my lumpectomy surgery they were able to test the sn during the surgery, and when they found cancer cells, the surgeon took more nodes. Others have had to wait for the snb results and have more surgery later to remove more nodes. You've got a long road ahead of you, but you'll make it through! Keep checking in with us!
Amyjo-->thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I will continue to pray for you.
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