Australian Sisters
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Hi girls, Good news, the MRI was clear, no abnormal activity, they reckon they are cluster headaches and S/Effects of the tamoxifen, Gosh five years got to be on the darn things, only into year two. oh well if they keeping me alive i guess, i wil hang out with them, i might see if there are others they change me on to. probably wont be much different. have a good night girls. we been shearing sheep, soem to works and others to another farm as they all gotta be out of the property on friday. they going tomorrow some of them and the others next day. God help anybody who lets the things out of the yards tonight, it happened to day, we had to go unnessarily chase them back in and 50 acreas is a lot of ground to cover, somebody nosing and did not shut the gate properly. i tell you the air was blue. it put us so behind. we got them back in in there places and they were all sorted out in there destinantions. and they were mixed up. somebody had been on property. oh well. and the bulls were out too in the paddock, that were in the yards. they had every amenty they could possibly need , water, hay and stock feed/ oh well better go, have a good night ladies and i am all ok with MRI, no probs.
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Oh Midnight that is really good news! Isn't it awful that we think cluster headaches a good thing?! There is another drug, same family as tamoxifen and its called Fareston. It does the same job just put together differently according to my doc so it may be worth asking your doc about it.
Wow! Shearing! What a job!!
Hope you're feeling a little more at ease.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
thank you Chrissy. its a big week for us. and the new driver we got, hired, hurt his foot,is off for two months, has to have an operation. I give up. we will advertise again, but after this week is over. its a wonder that i have not got a continous headache with the stress we are put under all the time. today is nearly over and another one to start all again mum says gosh you guys you are under enormas pressure and that aint good for you something has to give before you you. and start toughening up, saying NO is ok . it comes to a point where people see you as a good target to take advantage of, esp when you are kind like you two are,and its not fair. lol, just my mummy having her say as my mother does. is what i am telling you. lol. she gets worried about me alot. trying to help everybody and you cant be all to everyone. catch yas
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midnight - YAY!!!!!!! It turned out we both had headaches for the same reason. Never thought I'd be happy to know that a headache was a side-effect of a drug...
Sorry so quiet everyone. I thought things would calm down for me now uni is finished but work has turned feral and these SEs from Tamoxifen are really beating me up. Not just physically but psychologically as well.
My gynae is really booked up for surgeries until Christmas. He sent me off for another ultrasound last week of my ovaries that showed that my complex cyst is still complex but at least it hasn't grown significantly. He wants it out and he is going to try and squeeze me into his surgery list on Monday 17th December but I won't know until the Thursday or Friday before if it can happen. If it doesn't happen before Christmas I will have to schedule in the New Year.
Jenn0 -
Dang Midnight it seems right now you can't win a trick!! Hoping tomorrow is a better day. Yup, us mums have a habit of worrying about our kids........it's just the way it is and it doesn't matter how old they are.
Jenn I sure hope your gyny can fit you in for the 17th!
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Hi my fellow aussie sisters . Feeling little less overwhelmed today after my breast nurse explained things more clearly .My bone scan has come back with no mestasis in the skeleton or bones ! Yay me . Apparently my cancer is complicated as in Multicentred . But common as in IDC . Thank you for being here for me as we travel my journey together ! Still not totally convinced chemo is the way to go but I accept that I will never be convinced anyway and that it is all I can do .
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Vanstrada and Midnight, congrats on your scan results!
Kylie, I believe there is a way to 'pin' a topic so it always appears first under the forum headings.
So we could create a topic for newbies and have it pinned in the ANZ bc survivors forum.0 -
Vanstrada - if you have positive nodes, you would be negligent to not have chemo. If it is in your nodes (as I believe you said it was), then it has already escaped the breast and could be anywhere in your body - chemo could kill off those stray cells.
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Sue - "negligent" really? It would just be a personal choice different from what you might choose. We are all human and human's die. The choices we all make on what we are prepared to accept before we do will differ from person to person.
People should choose their treatments based on doctor recommendations and their own research in full knowledge of the potential benefits and risks of each.
Vanstrada - we don't know what your general health is like, or your age or any other health concerns or conditions you might have.
For most younger and healthy women (and men) with positive nodes chemo would be recommended. However if you are older, or have other health concerns it might be that chemo would pose more risks than benefits. You need to speak about your concerns with your health team and get them to convince you (or not) why they think the benefits of having chemo would outweigh the risks for you :-)
Jenn0 -
Thanks aussie sisters . For me personally I have for years avoided all chemicals and even as a nurse and a professional cleaner always used natural Products . It just rankles me that at this stage of my life a treatment to extend my life is so noxious ,vicious and poisonous ! I really hope and pray for our next generation we can find a better alternative to chemo . The chemo kills the cancer but seems to kill your system as well . I am aiming for quality of life not necessarily quantity .I sat next to a lovely lady today in the waiting room . She had had both her breasts off and now was battling a brain tumour . It is as if cancer is laughing at us by we beat it in one place and invariably it comes somewhere else . I am not negligent by any strength of the imagination . I am 58 years old and I have a lot to live for but I really do think that Quality is always a better alternative to quantity . I learnt from Grantham ,you have to grab life and wring out every second of joy and thankfulness that you can . It can be taken from you so quickly without warning .I am so grateful for this forum where we can support each other and you all help me so much .Good night from Gorgeous Gatton .
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Hey ladies, I just had my first hair cut and blow dry in more than two years. It was a surreal experience but felt good. Lynda, I am looking more like you :-).
Vanstrada, maybe we can talk some time. I strongly recommend you call Kim Walters Choices for advice. They are great and will help you.0 -
Thanks Racy . Your hair sounds very cool . as I am a Gorgeous Gatton girl The Kim Walters Clinic is too far for me and online there doesn't seem to be links relevant to me there .But thank you for the reference ..And in actual fact I am receiving more guidance and options here .I love it ! But I am more confident today after touching base with my Breast nurse . I wasn't aware of the importance of her in my life ! Now I do .So we are on the journey together .
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Ok Vanstrada but Choices has a free number.
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Gosh girls....we are all so different & yes, we have choices.
From my perspective I tend to be thinking more along the lines of Sue.
Until I got secondaries I probably thought I would be all for quality over quantity.
But believe me, now that I am faced with fact I will die from this disease most probably in the near future (I am 51) I will do anything that will give me extra time with my family. I also don't think I could ever say to them that I wasn't having any of the recommended treatment that is there to help extend my life.......or in the case of primary diagnosis, help prevent the possibility of mets. As Sue said, if it has gone into your nodes, the chemo is to mop up possible leftovers. Just food for thought.
As I said, yes, we are all different & that is just my thoughts on what has been said..
Karen x0 -
Hi all
Midnight I used to get bad migraines but since taking Tamoxifen I've hardly had any !!! It seems that i'm the opposite, although I have been sleeping heaps better, I think lots of my headaches were caused by lack of sleep. A Nurse I know told me that I'm not getting headaches because they were caused by Estrogen ? If that's the case then they need to do more studies on migraines and estrogen?
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wel heres another day, i am up early, 3 hours earlier than normal and off soon to do more shearing, well the shearer will do it and we will assist him, Rousey they call it. first we have to get the cattle in, tag them and they off to sale and the big bulls off to works follwed hopefully by 100 or so sheep later in day. so will be trucks in and out. then drench the shawn ones and they be off to there next destination. the ewes and lambs. cute lambs this year, shame they grow up. noisy little buggers, sounds like heaps of babies crying. have a good day folks.
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Morning Midnight . I am usually always a early riser ! Don't know if I could go out in the winter though looking after sheep ! Baaa . Good thing at the moment it is warm . Have you always lived at Palmerston ? I remember going to New Zealand on a 3 week holiday when I was younger,we went on a camping tour and managed to see both Islands . A very beautiful country . Peter and I decided on a country change 2 years ago after always living in the suburbs . Gatton is in the gorgeous Lockyer Valley which is known as the Salad Bowl ! I love driving through when all the veges are just about ready to harvest . The smell is lovely . Thanks Kazzie,Racy and Sue for your comments . Always food for thought isn't there ? I love the fact that there is always not just one solution to everything . And ausssie I agree that sounds like a good subject for more research . I was surprised to learn when I was researching my cancer that Breast cancer is a multiple of a disease which makes it a challenge to treat . But as humans we love a challenge so one day we will understand cancer better by the involvement of the patients with it . Being able to learn from each other and to help each other is such a relief to me .Today Peter has another skin cancer cut off and as it is close to his ear he is very nervous ! Last year when we found a skin cancer on his chest ,the Dr initially told him it was benign and within a week after his biopsy he was in hospital having a melanoma cut out of his chest . We actually compare chest scars ! As there is a 7 year age gap between us it is hard to watch this gentle man of mine who struggled through all the Grantham muck figuring out how he could save me and his dog brought down by the awareness of melanoma. We all have battles to win don't we ? United we stand . Have a awesome day ladies .
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Vanstrada - I was 57 when diagnosed and had chemo due to the HER2+ve factor of my BC in spite of having negative nodes. The chemo was 6 treatments over 18 weeks and then I had 12 more treatments of herceptin every 3 weeks. It's doable and I have recovered. To me it's a short time of discomfort for hopefully a longer time of living.
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Morning Suzie . Another gorgeous day in Qld . How good is that ? Thanks for your input . all information is good information .
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Aussie - I totally agree about estrogen and migraines. I used to get migraines everytime I had my period, then they were medically under control for quite a few years. They started to come back with each period and migraine meds wouldn't touch them and within 3 months of them restarting I found my breast cancer.
This is one of the major reasons I want my ovaries out because I have had no headaches during treatment and chemopause. Now my period has restarted so have the migraines. My GP says they are estrogen related and tamox not stopping them. I know ovary removal doesn't stop all estrogen production but I personally want as little as possible.
Racy that sounds great about tagging the info. Any computer literate volunteers? - I am afraid that's not me. xx
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Hi all you lovely ladies. I didn't realize it had been such a long time since I checked in, until I noticed that you had filled up 10 pages since I was last here. Oops! Been getting my husband ready for his 4-month trip to Perth. He's there now, safe and sound and already working! He had an offer within 3 days of arriving there, so that's fantastic. Now he's enjoying gorgeous warm Perth weather while I sit in my office with the heater on typing out articles about breast cancer. *Sigh* Never been parted for such a long time, don't know how people do this for such long stretches but I'm about to find out. Sure do miss him.
Aussie-Sharon - I see you're from Esperance! What a gorgeous part of the world. It's the only place in Australia where I came across a kangaroo sitting eating seaweed on the beach! Lucky Bay - ahhh, what a divine spot. The sand is so amazingly white and soft and the water is so incredibly aquamarine and clear. Wish I could be there right now.
Kazzie61 - I just read your last post. I'm not a praying person, generally, but I will add you to my list of people that I do surround in white light every morning. You are in my thoughts and I send big hugs to you today.
Vanstrada - making those choices is not easy. Took me 4 months to decide whether or not I should accept chemotherapy - but then I had the luxury to take that time, not everyone does. I've written an article that may assist you: http://marnieclark.com/making-healing-choices/ .
Hugs to everyone. Wish I could have met you in Brisbane, hope you all had lots of fun.
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Thanks Marnie for your downloads . A woman on the same page as me ! Thanks for all the good suggestions . I was reassured I already am doing most of them but you highlighted areas I can improve on .looking forward to your regular newsletter . Denver Colorodo is a long way from Aussie !
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Morning all! Wow you girls have been busy little bees while I was sleeping!
Marie the best way to make your decision is to gather information as you are doing and then form a lot of related questions to ask your team. Depending on their answers and recommendations you will be able to make the right choice for you. That's just my two bobs worth.
The worst migraine I ever had was about two months before I was dx'd. It was so bad I had to call the doc for a home visit as I was in soooo much pain and vomiting my little heart out. Never had one like that brfore or since......weird, I never related it to the estrogen in my system. Live and learn.......
Well today I have my first hydro session with the physio, I sure hope the pool is not too hot as it will play havoc with my lympho if it is although I'm having some thoughts on that whole thing too. Yes I have so I was told, mild lymphodema but the last couple of months I have had an increase in activity but I also found a lump undermy arm but towards my back, basically where your arm meets your back that I thought was a blocked node. Mmmm, I have now had eight sessions having lymphatic drainage done concentrating on that area to try to move everything and that darn not so little node has not changed but some of the swelling has gone down around it leading me to think that I need to go see my doc, again, and get the drat thing checked.......dang nam it! Yup, if its not one thing its another with us stage IV girls, never a dull moment........lol.......at least I can't say I get bored. Anyway, thaat is on the back burner until after Brizzy.......nothing and I mean nothing is going to stop me getting there!!!
Gottoa go get wet, catch you all later!
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Thanks Chrissy . Nice to meet you ! I must admit I have felt like Alice in wonderland the past 5 weeks but it is slowly falling into place ! Being the eternal optimist as i am I naively thought Yep I have cancer it will all come out in the breast ! Take it off and I will be dancing ! Not that I danced before but you get my drift !Nooooo That is not quite the way it swings . I have a team that I didn't even know I have ,I have to have tests which hopefully i will pass and I have major decisions to make .oh yeah and while I am at continue recovering from a major disaster ! Piece of Cake I said ! Survived Grantham Pftttt Cancer is a no show ! And on top of that I am full time carer for my hubby who is also PTSD from Grantham ,recently diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2 and has skin cancers to remove ,last years one was melanoma ! Very humbled now and open to any advice that can help me make the right decisions for me . Nice to meet all the lovely ladies here ! And so the journey continues !
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Hi Kylie, the mods will pin a thread.
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Marie, once you have met your team and heard what they have to say to you, you will have a much better time with you decisions. It is unfortunate that once you have BC you can only do what you think is the right thing and hope it never comes back. This disease has a mind of its own it seems, no matter what we do we are always at risk.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Yes Chrissy....never a dull moment! No one can say life is boring LOL
Hope the hydro session goes well & the water is a suitable temperature for you (((hugs)))
Well, had the Power Port placed this morning....up at 5.00 am for 7.00 am check in & fortunately I was first off the blocks! So home by midday & all went well...just a bit achey but nothing to complain about (although I am a lovely shade of yellow!!!). Now I'm gonna be nervous the first time we use it!!
Hope everyone is doing ok & not too many dramas.......not long now till the big get together
Karen x0 -
Hi Chrissy.
Hope that little bump is just gristle or something else innocuous. Otherwise lets hope they can just cut it out and that's that. I've had a few things chopped out. Either way, positive thoughts in your direction.
Love Angela0 -
Thanks .
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Hello everyone
Well I've had the most interesting day lol
Slept in this morning as I forgot to out the alarm on last night. Then about 5 minutes into my 45 minute drive to work, the car died. Engine just stopped. So sat on the side of the highway for 2 hours waiting for the tow truck.
DH waited with me for the last 20 minutes or so, and said we needed to buy a new car. We have known we'd have to get a new one soon. Mine had done 280,000kms so she was near the end of her life, I just hoped we'd get a few more months.
So we did the tour of the car yards, and signed the papers for a new Elantra. It will arrive a few days after I get back from Brissy, and the car dealers will loan me a car till then.
So we called into the mechanic to see what was happening with the old girl, and it's complicated so can't go into it all here ( and besides I didn't understand it all lol) but it was going to be expensive, so asked the mechanic about making arrangements to sell it to a wrecker and another customer said he wanted to buy it as is and try to fix it and do it up for his niece. He paid $800 cash on the spot and we are all happy. I have never sold a car that quick in my life!! lol
So a very interesting and very expensive day.
Trish
xox0
