2010 Sisters
Comments
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Teklya (((HUGS))). My 2nd taxo-terrible was Monday. SEs about the same as last time. Worse than FEC but I guess not that bad compared to other folks. I actually feel ok today, just a little tired. My DH is out of town and my dogs actually let me sleep in this morning, I got up at 9 a.m. and they were still snoozing away! Everyone have a nice, relaxing Sunday.
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Hey,
Teklya & Bama, glad you are on the mend and done or almost done with treacherous taxotere. It's becoming a memory to me now. My fingernails have almost grown out to the point that the lines can be trimmed off soon.
I agree that breast cancer pretty much stole this whole year (more really) from me, from the lump I found Spring of 2009 to the mammo/US in Oct/Nov 2009, wating for approval for an MRI for 3 months, into 2010, KNOWING the whole time it was probably BC, and then finally the biopsy and surgery in March 2010. Then there is the whole spring/summer of chemo (my daughter's HS graduation) and fall of radiation (she started college). I don't feel like I missed out on too much, just that I wasn't able to enjoy it with her 100% (I tried). I hated that the focus was on me and not her, during a time the family should have been focusing on her and her accomplishments. She should have been so happy and proud instead of worried and scared.
Cancer stole some of the joy of life this year, but with Thanksgiving in mind, I'm thankful for a loving family and friends, modern medicine, skilled surgeons, compassionate nurses and techs, casseroles, phone calls, cards, prayer chains and now, good health. I hope we can all enjoy these things even in the midst of our suffering during the holiday season. If cancer makes us treasure each day a little more, at least some tiny nugget of good came of it.
Hugs to all,
Shelley
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Shelley what a beautiful post and so relevant to me. I had my first diagnosis back in 2008 and came through the surgery and radiation without problem. This time is just as you described. My son's graduation in the middle of chemo when all the focus should have been on him it was on me and will continue to be when he gets his final results. I wish I could change things for him and my little one. I live in Australia and we have our big summer holidays after Xmas. No beach holiday for us this year with Mum bobbing around like a bald headed, bloated whale instead I will be having either radiation or more surgery. I know my kids are fine but it just doesn't seem fair.I will hang on to your lovely words. Thankyou.
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Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving for you USA girls, Grey Cup Day for you Canada girls or just a nice weekend for everyone else.
Omaz - My DH gets those splits in the ends of his fingers and he uses A&D Cream or Ointment on them. He says it works better than anything else he has every tried. It is relatively inexpensive and you can find it at Walmart in the Baby Department. Get the one in the White/Yellow/Brown box. He says if it is really bad he gobs it on at night then puts socks on his hands to keep it from getting all over the sheets. (He makes puppets with them to make me laugh.) Hope that helps you too.
I finish the last 5 radiation treatments on the spine this week. I have not had 5 in a row yet because I get so sick after the 3rd one. We will see how this goes. I am determined to be finished by Friday so I do not have to think about anymore for a while. Next round will be on my breast/chest wall. They said they are thinking about doing the radiation seeds, but the final determination will be made after the 1st of the year. I need to do research on what all in involved with the radiation seeds. Anyone done that yet? I will find out after my next Aredia treatment how the Femara is working and if my numbers are still going down. I hope so, I hope it works for a long time. Right now I am just looking forward to the beach on Friday.
I learned how to use a curling iron and got carried away this morning. My hair is getting so thin on top that I had to try something different. I look a lot like my mother did with my hair done like this. Hope everyone has a restful night.
Joy and blessings, Amy Jo
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Thanks Amyjo, I'll give it a try. Hope your treatment goes smoothly this week and for a change doesn't cause you too much trouble.0
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OMAZ, I also get cracks in the winter and was told by doc to use superglue. I know it sounds strange but it does work. I have told so many people and it works great.
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Hello ladies - I have a question related to surgery experiences. My daughter said she felt like her throat was closing and she couldn't breath. Had some panic in the recovery due to this. Is there an easier way to get trhough this? Were any of you this awake and aware in recovery? My experience with a hysterectomy was that I felt nothing and remembered nothing. She vowes never to have surgery again and I am worried how she will react if she needs a second round (don't know the margins yet) she will resist.
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Quick qustion - ive still got a few days left of steroids to take.....how long will it take me to get rid of this moon face from the steroids? Anything i can do to speed it up? Ive been doing ZERO exercise compared to what I used to (go to gym 4 times a week) as the chemo just drained me.........and im going to start slowly now on the recumbant bike once my knees get stronger.........
tips?
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redninrah I actually retain more fluid after I stop the steriods… granted it takes a few more days before the steroids to leave your body. I think it's about 5 days for me but hard to tell because I actually look better with the steroids filling my face out. I have a long thin face and not botox. Yes the steroids are better than botox for me ;-b
But I do understand the bloat because I put on about 4-5 lbs in 2 days from water gain. My legs looks like stumps and my stomach looks like I'm pregant. I too look forward to the dejuicing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4_cf_fZDc0motherofpatient you should talk to them about this. Throat closing/difficulty breathing sounds like an allergic reaction to something. I was not awake for recovery for my BMX but did experience nausea when I woke up the next day. It happens to some people. I found out that they can give you something before the anesthesia to stop this.
For my port surgery I did not have the issue and woke up as soon as they brought me to the recovery room… actually got up and sat in a chair within 5 minutes of being wheeled in.
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Red and lago - my steroid reaction is the same, gain about 4 pounds with belly bloat. I am there right now at day 6-7 for me. I thought it was constipation (the bloat) but it isn't its something else about the steroids and/or chemo.
Motherofpatient - my surgery experience was very similar to lago - nausea after lumpectomy, no problem after port insertion. Talking to them about the throat problems is a good idea. Here is hoping for clear margins!!
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lago - video was too cute, wish they could really do that. I could use a little dejuicing.
Motherofthepatient - That definitely sounds like an allergic reaction, maybe to the anesthesia. You really do need to let them know about this and find out for sure so that if she needs any more surgery that will not happen again. Praying for clear margins and that no more surgery will be needed.
I had rad #8 today and did not get too sick this time. I still do not know for sure if the radiation to the T4-T11 area of my spine is doing any good or not. I think the Fentanyl that was to keep the pain down is not letting me know of any improvement. Maybe when I get off or the Fentanyl I will be able to tell a difference. After as sick as I have been it better have done some good at relieving the pain. We will have to wait and see how the rest of the treatments go this week, hopefully I will be finished with this round of rads on Friday. Then I get a month or so off before they start on the chest wall. I will find out Wednesday if I will be able to go horseback riding this weekend. I am so looking forward to this weekend at the beach.
Hope everyone has a restful evening, Joy and blessings, Amy Jo.
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Hello Sistahs!
Thanksgiving was a bit of a drag, as my son ended up with a bad cold so we could not go to our friends' house as planned. My DH made a last-minute shopping run Wed eve and got some fixins, so we did enjoy a good meal but it just wasn't very festive with just the 4 of us. And did I mention we are in the process of painting our kitchen cabinets? DH keeps finding little holes to fill with spackle, and then sands everything to baby-butt smooth. There is spackle dust EVERYWHERE - inside cupboards so everything has to be pulled out, cleaned and put back. This has been going on for almost 2 weeks. I told him today the sanding has to stop and we need to get on with the painting and just get it done. I guess it's good he turns into a perfectionist when he gets going?
I get my port out on Wednesday, a CT scan Friday to prep for rads, and can't figure out when I should try to go back to work. I've been walking 1/2 mile every day for about the last week; I can't believe I'm so out of shape that just the walking leaves me stiff & sore after sitting for awhile.
The watery-eye SE seems to be subsiding which is nice because then I might be able to wear some eyeliner so I don't look so, well, sick/sleepy.
Can't remember who wrote it, but someone beautifully described how BC has taken up most of her year and taken away many joys. I agree wholeheartedly. I still sleep for 9-10 hours and can't imagine how I'm going to work full-time again.
Sorry . . . guess I have the blahs. Just want to move on and feel derailed.
Kathy
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(((KATHY)))) so good to hear from you!! I know about the feeling tired stuff. I just deal and catch catnaps when I can. The reunion at the Outer Banks is in full swing. I leave Wed., work Thur., pick up AmyJo Friday then to the airport for Marybe the off to the beach and StillVerticle (Melissa). Pix will be coming!
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Have a great time, y'all!
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Cancer has taken a lot from me as well. Now that my youngest is off at college, I realize how much of her senior year I missed. I miss her so much now. My middle DD got married, and my oldest DD had a baby that was in NICU for 2 months all while I was going through tx! All these life changes, becoming empty-nesters, and cancer too! What a ride! Sometimes it makes me sad, but then I remember how blessed I am to have my family around me. My girls and hubby have been angels though all this. Shelley--it does make me treasure each day more! I'm right there with you and mumorange! I just keep praying we all will have some "fun" time coming soon!! I was going through tx my last 2 birthdays (July), so I told my whole family that next year we are all going to Duluth (our favorite place) for my birthday! I can't wait!
Mrs Nice--hope you continue to feel better and better now that you are done with chemo! Hope your cabinets turn out perfect!
Motherofpatient--hoping for clear margins! I agree with everyone that the docs need to knwo about her reaction!
Amyjo--I'm so glad you are going to the beach. You deserve a break and some fun. Hope you and Barbara and the others have a GREAT time!
Praying you all have a peaceful rest tonight!
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Just catching up on everyone's posts and finding so much going on.
Lago. Thanks for the tip on the Suave and conditioner. One of the ladies at the checkout was talking to a customer about the Suave body wash. Her Colorado DD was using it and it helped her. I just got back from NC and feel like a prune! My hands are so dried out from washing them so much.
I did get to see my 5 wk old GS. Thrilled to finally hold him. So the hand washing was a wonderful byproduct of dirty diapers, I'd do any day.
Shellyj43 - Know what you mean about the monday's at work after a gator loss. UGH, work in an office where nearly all the guys graduated from there. I like to say I'm a Bulldog (but not from GA small college in MO) Who cares, it always "gets" them.
Tired as all get out tonight from the whirl win trip.
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tips- im back at work now, and m taste buds are still slightly messed up. What healthy snacks are most ppl munching on at work with the taste buds still out of wack)
i dont want to crave chips (the salt feels good thats y)
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I was diagnosed June 14, 2010... 36th wedding anniversary was July 27th and my right breast mastectomy on July 29th.
Check out my blog: http://BlessedBreasts.com
Bless you my sisters, alethea
(alethea is a Greek word and it means truth!)
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Hello Friends, well, we did not get clean margins. Doc wants chemo then MX. We see the genetic counselor today, then she wants to go to ART Therapy, then we go to the lymphodema therapist. We are very fortunate here in the Atlanta area. Piedmont Hospital built a Cancer Wellness center that is open to all cancer patients free of charge - every thing you could want from yoga to accupuncture, nutrition, counseling (group, couples, and individual), mind-body relaxation sessons, excercise programs, cooking classes in a chef style kitchen with a cafe atmosphere for meals. Cancer care hs come a long way since my mother's dx with small cell lung cancer in 2004 (we lost her in 2005).
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redninrah eveyone's taste buds are different. Mine changed a little this time for a few days. I found anything with pepper or hot pepper was very bitter. Walnuts also tasted bitter although I was able to eat other nuts.
Nuts are pretty healthy but don't over eat. They fill you up nicely. Try walnuts, almonds or even peanuts. I also like peanut butter. Yes they have fat but the good fat.
Another thing I like is carrots and celery. You can prepare that before you go to work and put them in a storage container or bag with a little water. Guacamole is good too but again be careful because it too is high in the "good" fat. Just be sure you don't add any hot pepper or Tabasco.
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Thanks LAGO!
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Well, I'm b-a-c-k! feeling a bit more like Teklya every day. Today is the last of the injections and the pain has eased and appears to be worst in my lower limbs yet. Other than that, I hope to feel better and stronger each day. Still have no appetite, nothing tastes right and tummy is horribly upset, too.
Now have an appt with Radiation Oncoligist for simulation and marking this Friday, with treatments to begin 3rd Jan in the new year - 25 in all 5 days a week for 5 weeks, ugh, sounds exhausting!
And all of you, hanging in??? just remember to breathe. . .
Teklya
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motherofpatient-sorry to hear the news about your daughter. She is very lucky to have you to help her through all this. The cancer center sounds very impressive. I am in a more rural area so we do not have anything like that. I have to drive and hour to my doctors and treatments. They are very good, but small centers.
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motherofpatient - I am sorry to hear about the margins, I was really hoping for good news. Your cancer center sounds very good. I use acupuncture, which has helped with nausea and heartburn, and reflexology, which has helped with neuropathy and circulation in my feet. I am very sorry that you have to go through this with your daughter, best wishes to you both. One day at a time.0
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motherofpatient - I too had unclear margins so had to have a re-excision. All clear. Prayers and hugs for you both.
OK sistas! I leave for Raleigh tomorrow, meeting Thursday, then I pickup AmyJo after her rads tx, then to the airport for Marybe. GrannyDukes got sick getting snowed in at PA (no heat) so she can't make it. Anyway from the airport, it's off to the beach to see StillVerticle (Melissa)!! Woo Hoo!! I rented a 4WD just in case. Many pix will be coming but I will post a link to my website and y'all can go laugh at our antics. Who says older women are fuddy duddys?
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Ladies have fun but be careful!!!!!!
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Thanks Diane, I think we are a little too creaky to get in too much trouble. Maybe a few years ago....
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Barbara--Wishing you ladies lots of laughs and fun times!!
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Motherofpatient - I didn't have clear margins either so after a two week wait for the lab and for me to recover from the first surgery I had the additional surgery for the BC along with removal the nodes. Let us know how it goes for your DD.
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Teklya - welcome back. Glad you are doing better.
Lago - the Dove Body Wash and Suave Conditioner mix is working wonders for my skin already. My alligator skin is just soaking it up and is getting more like human skin. Itchy skin is almost all gone now. Thanks so much for the tip.
Motherofthepatient - So sorry to hear about the margin. Praying that they can find out what made your DD react like she did so that she can get whatever treatment she needs. Any word on what her final diagnosis is as far as stage and grade? How old is your DD? Know that we will be here to help anyway we can.
I am feeling a little better. I thing the "Magic Mouthwash" is finally working. I have 3 more rad tx then I am done with this round. Not sure what will be next, but will hopefully find out tomorrow.
Hope everyone is getting the rest they need to regain their strength and sanity. I know I get very emotional and a little insane when I don't get enough rest.
Joy and blessing, Amy Jo
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