2010 Sisters
Comments
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sweet- congrats on making it to the halfway point. Your doing amazing, now hopefully they can rule out a blood clot!
Cheryl and grizzly - Congrats to the no more chemo club!! wtg girls!!
Tori - The count down is on! I know cause I was just in your shoes last week! I wanta join the dance on Friday
. granny - glad your feeling fine for #10.
I've pretty much finished the bone pain SE but still the lingering fatigue and bad taste but as every day goes I know this is the LAST OF IT. No more chemo SE for me as they leave. It is a wonderful feeling.
Best to all,
Cathy
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(((((HUGS)))))) to all who are finshed with chemo and bigger HUGS to all who are almost there! WTG!!
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You ladies are troopers! Way to go finishing the chemo. That's another thing you can check off your "to do" list! Now onward and upward!
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Thanks for all the "cheers" ladies! I'm so ready to be done with the chemo and on to rads...and then on to BETTER, HAPPIER, HEALTHIER days!
Granny--so glad to hear that rads are going well for you too! xoxo
How does the "happy dance" go???? I want to make sure to do it right!
peace and prayers,
Tori
DE COLORES!
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ToriGirl - Get ready girl friend - we will show you how it is done. You will catch on quick.0
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Congratulations to everyone finishing up chemo. It is the start of a new year and hopefully a better one for all of us. I am done chemo and radiation:) Just need to have the final reconstruction surgery in April. I NEVER thought I would get through this. Thank you all for your help and support throughout this ordeal. I am thinking of you all daily
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Hi JenC,
How are you doing? Great to see you! Happy New Year!
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It's amazing how far everyone has come in the last few months. It's great to see how far we have come. Hooray for all of us!
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samsue - I agree with you wholeheartedly. I can't believe I have come from DX in the middle of Aug to being done with treatment - except for the 5 year Tamox. That is really fast.
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Thanks Annette!!
450cc was what I was thinking I would need as well. Time will tell.
But, the more knowledge we have, the better it is when meeting with the PS.
You are close to having another step of your reconatruction done. That must be a great feeling.
God Bless!
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Shelly - Hey there. Doing really good. Starting to feel a little more like "me" every day. How about you?
Hugs to everyone and wonderful new year wishes:)
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You are welcome Polly and considering my diganosis was only in late Oct and I was totally devasted...it is amazing that following my second fill today I was laughing and literally floated our of the PS office. It is an odd journey, ours, but since we have no choice but to go on with it, I look for the best wherever it may be. I never thought I would laugh ever again. When I first went to Dr Shanaq (PS) I was hurt and scared and so damn angry. I didn't know how bad the cancer was, I just knew I wanted both breasts gone.I was mad at them too. I thought of that today...and was grateful for recognizing the moment of joy. It felt good to be me today. That is no small thing...we'll all get through this together.
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Glad to hear it JenC! I'm feeling great, too, even started my AI a few weeks ago. I have an Onc appt tomorrow with lab work to see how my hormones are doing I think. So far, I'm just noticing my hands are a little achy in the morning, but it goes away. Have you started any hormonal therapy?
Cathy (Tryn2) - how are you feeling? SE's wearing off? It took a good couple of weeks to start tasting things again. I had my anniversary dinner about 2 months late!! No point in going out for good food you can't taste! Yeah for you for finishing!!!
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Shelley, did I miss it? You had an onc appt on the 6th right? How did it go??
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shelleyj43- I have one week in post chemo and for me the worst is about day 6 where you have nill for energy and yes those taste buds... arggggh. Nothing tastes right, and even drinks taste like crap. I rinse and chew gum.. helps for awhile. One more week of no taste buds but then ... never again. I agree whats the sense of paying for a nice meal you can't taste. Smart thinking girl! Hope things are going well for you now and are enjoying all you can taste.
I got a call yesterday from the Radiation Dept. at the Cancer Center. I have to see my Rad onco next Thursday and start prep for Radiation in 3 weeks. I can use those 3 weeks as my 5 weeks of Radiation I must stay away from home due to the distance of travel (7 hour round trip). Hopefully it will pass quick and I've heard they are super nice there at the Lodge.
Cathy
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Sisters,
Does everyone that has had nodes removed have to get a compression sleeve for flying? It's never been brought up to me, so I'm just trying to find out more about it.
As of right now, I have no issues with LE and had 11 node removed during surgery...
I'm asking because have an opportunity to go and visit my sister in Germany after my rads are over and want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row if I'm gonna go...
Thanks for the input!
peace and prayers,
Tori
DE COLORES!
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Tori I was given a prescription for one and told that it was up to me regarding filling the prescription and wearing them during flying. There is still some controversy about it. I did end up getting some lymphedema in my arm with 10 nodes removed. I see the specialist next week. My onc doesn't really believe in sleeves and was annoyed that I was prescribed one.0
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Definitely a controversial question. I think the bottom line is no one really knows. I've had two highly regarded LE therapists tell me not to use a sleeve for flying and that it can actually bring on the problem. My onc also does not believe in using one preventively. Only my surgeon mentioned it might be a good idea.0
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Hi, I am done with chemo last one was 12/17/10. I am still dealing with port wound healing, now that I am done with chemo it is going faster. I decided to go to MGH Boston for a second opinion on surgery. My outcome from preadjuvant therapy was not what I hoped for. I had a smaller primary tumor which is great, but the others have not been affected as well. The multiple foci as they are called are still there. So without a complete response my NH surgeon offered only complete mastectomy, left breast, right breast is still clear with a suspicious cloudlike area??? In collecting my records for the Boston apt I was able to read all the info. I was not told about a few things that showed up in all those tests, I was surprised that this info was not shared with me, ASK questions about everything!!! Don't assume anything!!! My surgeon also in my opinion is way too busy. During my final exam the wrong breast was examined I had to mention it was the left not the right. Now this is a very good well educated with many credentials surgeon. My record was not reviewed before the exam, I was sent in for a mammo , which also by the way was useless becuase I have such dense breast tissue and this is in my record., I was supposed to have an MRI!!! Did get the MRI a few days later...well taking all of this to my consult, Boston offers more choice of procedures, I hope that one will be less invasive, I have decided against implant as I have had so much trouble with foreign devices implanted thus far. I loved my team here in NH all were very caring people, but that is not going to cure my cancer, but after much discussion with my DH we have made a choice we feel will offer the best treatment. Going on Monday wish me luck. I hope all are doing well, weathering the tough times and celebrating the good!!! I know I am. My love and hugs to all. I'll update after Boston...Kaz
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KAZmTAZ Boston had some of the top hospitals/treatment centers in the country. (MGH, Dana Farber etc.) You are making a good choice IMO. As far as doing the mammo. Some insurances won't pay for MRI till you do the Mammo/US. I had to have my biopsy first before I could get an MRI even though on my Mammo/US it stated both.
As far as the doctor making a mistake on which breast… he should have read your chart before hand but yes the good doctors are very busy. My BS thought he discussed the details of my surgery and he had not. Yes you need to be your own advocate and understand these doctors work very hard and are people too… as long as they don't make the mistake when the scalpel is in hand!
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Prior to my first surgery, my doctor came to me a few minutes before surgery with his marker and starting marking X's on my right side. As he was muttering away about the lumpectomy, etc. I interrupted him and mentioned that he had marked the wrong side. He was really embarrassed and we kind of laughed it off, but it is definitely a case of him being too busy and too preoccupied. He is a very good surgeon and I'm happy with the results, but what a busy guy! Thank goodness I was paying attention to what he was marking!
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I was excited to find this thread. I was diagnosed on Tuesday, and am scared, confused, and need a buddy. I am scheduled for double mastectomy next Tuesday and want to know what to expect. Lots of questions, and fears, but ready to tackle this thing head on. Advice?
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liveinmaine- Welcome! You have come to the right place. These ladies are smart, generous and caring. I had a lumpectomy, not mastectomy, so won't speak to that. I know one of the others will chime in with advice soon. Good luck Tuesday and let us know how it goes.
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liveinmaine - Welcome! How have things gone so far?0
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Thanks for the quick replies! In answer to how things have gone so far, I guess the best answer is quickly. Diagnosis to surgery in 7 days seems like a whirlwind. Here's a stupid question for you. My surgeon has made no mention of an oncologist. I had a choice of lumpectomy and 6 weeks of daily radiation, or mastectomy with no additional treatment unless he finds that there lymphnode involvement. Does this sound right? Frankly, I chose mastectomy because I just don't want to worry about reoccurrance. So much to understand so fast... Vicki
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liveinmaine2 It's not your surgeons call to decide if you need chemo. Ask him/her who they would recommend.0
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liveinmaine- you now have more buddies on this journey than you will know what do with! I can promise you that while we all may vary to degrees in our diagnoses, someone on here at sometime has felt the very same way as you through each stage of this.
I am fairly new myself but I can make one promise. You will laugh again. And that is no small thing.
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liveinmaine- those were my options as well. They were presented as standard - an either or with referral to oncologist after surgery. I chose bilteral mastectomy with reconstruction. no regrets on this end. I would have worried myself sick about the other breast. I know myself. I am seven weeks out from surgery and every day is a bit better.
Following utter despair and fear, this morning I danced in the bathroom (albeit cupping my tissue expandered breasts). Pretty weird, but pretty cool. If you hit your 5 message newposter limit- feel free to send me a private message. The folks on here were and are invaluable to me.
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liveinmaine - I agree with lago - it is not your surgeon's call about the oncologist. Did you get a pathology report from your biopsy? Also, you can PM me if you hit your limit of posts today.0
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Hi all. I completely forgot to talk to doctor about this, but thats ok cause I know you gals will know. I know that I cant have my blood pressure or blood drawen from my left side. I can have the blood drawn from my right side, but not the blood pressure. Blood pressure has to be done on my leg. Now is this a permant thing or will this be a life long thing I will have to do. Thanks so much.
Paula
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