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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 1,422
    edited December 2012

    Happy Birthday Chrissy!!!!!

  • mclark55
    mclark55 Member Posts: 92
    edited December 2012

    Dear Karen, I just read your post about what your oncologist said (being on chemo for the rest of your life) and I felt I had to speak up.  You have triple negative BC - is that right?  I've got some things on my site that may assist you, the latest thing I've just done is to put a healing meditation on my website that you can download for free.  Have you heard of Ian Gawler?  Amazing man who has a foundation that helps cancer patients in Victoria, he's written "You Can Conquer Cancer" - anyway, he's one of my thought leaders and I trust what he has to say.  I know one man who had non-Hodgkins lymphoma, he was given 3 months to live but he got onto Ian Gawler's program of meditation and juicing (along with a lot of other life changes) and now he is 16 years past that and trekking in Nepal at the moment. 

    I used meditation myself to help me through breast cancer (I lived in Perth at the time) and found it to be absolutely crucial to my wellbeing.  Here's the link to my meditation:  http://marnieclark.com/guided-meditation/

    Here's the link to Ian Gawler's blog:  http://www.gawlerblog.com/

    Here's the thing I'd really like to impart to you.  You can access healing for yourself that doctors just don't know about.  Don't buy in to their doom and gloom and negativity.  That doesn't need to be YOUR story.  Just trying to inject some HOPE into your day.  Sending hugs from this side of the world.

  • Alyson
    Alyson Member Posts: 3,737
    edited December 2012

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISSY

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited December 2012

    Happy birthday Chrissy!! What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday - the actual day with your loved ones, and then three days with your "sisters" having a ball lol  I'm sure you've done enough of the teasing with your children over the years about birthday or Christmas surprises, so they are getting payback, and yep it can be a bitch

    I haven't even thought about packing yet either, Kate you and I are just too much alike.

    Jenn - I like the idea of it just being a tear, so that's what I'm going with too, with a hemarroid coming a close second. I'm feeling sort of detatched about the whole thing now.  Having a melt down, going through all the possible scenarios, sharing with you guys and DH and my BFF has gotten most of it out of my system.  I'm ready for a great time this weekend and looking foward to it so much.

    Karen I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, I hope the treatment is gentle on you but really hard on the cancer.

    Trish

    xoxo

  • midnight1327
    midnight1327 Member Posts: 1,331
    edited December 2012

    Hi Girls, another day, i mentioned in a previous post about twe or three weeks ago that we had a clydsdale horse that was down and we had trouble getting her up, well unfortuanately she did it again this morning, SHANA  had to be put to sleep, hubby had to do truck run early, its mad at the moment with the Christmas freight. he went out there and got one of the drivers to help try anf get her up, but  na, she was finding it too hard. so i had to call vet in and she said, it was probably knnder to her to put her to sleep.  her heart was erratic and each time its going to get harder to get her up, when she goes down. so she was put to rest. very sad, but i think necesary. it was becoming a worry, wondering every day whether she was going to be standing up or down and she is so huge to get up, even with four people. the vets tried there were two, well one and a learner. obviously doing her vets degree.  anyway just thought i would share that. i know a couple of you have had clysdales. 

  • midnight1327
    midnight1327 Member Posts: 1,331
    edited December 2012

    Hey Chrissy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, hope you have a wonderful day, you certainly have a wonderful weekend approaching you.  ENJOY YR DAY

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited December 2012

    Thanks girls!!! This sure is a special day and I'm going to really enjoy it! Mind you I think I'm being super spoilt this year as I get to come to Brizzy to meet everyone!.......look out Brizzy!!!! The girls are on the loose!!!!!........lololol!!!!



    Oh Midnight so sad to think Shana has to be put to sleep.......Clydesdales really are gentle giants. I know you will miss her.



    Roll on Thursday!!!



    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • Alyson
    Alyson Member Posts: 3,737
    edited December 2012

    My busy day

    Gus the cat claimed the pieces as soon as we had them set out, other quilt is for DD, this is just the centre. Now have borders to do. Edited to say Gus is under this one hence the lump in top corner.

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited December 2012

    Aly they are great!

  • Kazzie61
    Kazzie61 Member Posts: 418
    edited December 2012

    Chrissy....you always make me smile :) Hope you had a lovely birthday....you deserve it!

    Payback is a bitch....I can't wait to hear what the kids have in store for you! I'm no good with surprises...I always have to snoop!!!



    Midnight....so sorry to hear about your Shana :(



    Alyson....your quilts are beautiful, you are very talented :)



    Kate.....thankyou for the lovely compliment......:)



    Marie...I have heard of Ian Gawler & I will read your link while I'm parked up in the chemo chair tomorrow.....thankyou :)



    I thoroughly enjoyed the LGFB program after a rather dramatic evening!

    I had a major emotional breakdown last night & after many tears decided to take a couple of sleepers to ensure a good nights sleep! A good nights sleep I got.....I slept in! I dived out if bed, got ready to go & was in the car in time for the 10.30 start. I then looked at the paperwork & it was a 10.00 am start! So I made a rather grand entrance 15 minutes late which ensured that everyone knew who I was ....LOL

    Loved all the products I received & it was a lot of fun trying some different wigs on....so all in all, it was good for me & lifted my spirits :)



    Half an hour till I have to take 4 bloody steroids......talk about bouncing off the walls!! I think my iPad might get a workout through the night! Will prob take some sleepers too but the steroids always seem to overpower them....



    Sweet dreams lovely ladies...



    Karen x

  • Angela-R
    Angela-R Member Posts: 109
    edited December 2012

    All the best Karen. Will be thinking of you tomorrow.

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 1,422
    edited December 2012

    ((((((((((((Karen)))))))))))))

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited December 2012

    (((((Karen)))))) I sure hope you manage to get some sleep before tomorrow. Here's hoping all goes well.



    You are entitled to a meltdown so don't feel bad about it any way a good thing came of it..........every one knew your name .......lol......and that's a good thing.



    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • Linda1966
    Linda1966 Member Posts: 441
    edited December 2012

    I'll be thinking of you too Karen, hope the night and day fly for you. The LFGB are great, such a pick me up. The people that run them deserve medals for bringing smiles to our faces.

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited December 2012

    Kazzie, I hope the chemo is gentle but effective. You can get support from others on this site who are on the same chemo.



    Also, you may want to consider getting counselling to help you emotionally as you go through this phase of treatment. You can talk to your GP about this or contact the Cancer Council.

  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited December 2012

    Breaking news out of the San Antonio Breast Cancer meeting is that 10years of Tamoxifen offers a survival benefit better than 5years for women with early stage breastcancer - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121205090917.htm



    After only 2 months on this drug I am not sure if I will be able to handle even the 5years :-/ What about everyone else - Kylie, Lyndal, Kate, and others using this drug?



    Jenn

  • mclark55
    mclark55 Member Posts: 92
    edited December 2012

    Hi all - just dropped in for a quick visit to see how everyone was.  Jenn, I'm interested in your link, I will read it asap.  Your question on Tamoxifen?  I can certainly understand your concerns.  I couldn't make myself take it, even though my onc very strongly recommended it every time I saw him.  Most of my subscribers are pretty anti-Tamoxifen because of the side effects.  I've got several articles on my site about Tamoxifen - this one provides you with some alternatives, should you decide to go that route: http://marnieclark.com/aromatase-inhibitors-natural-vs-toxic/  I started taking DIM when I was in Perth but at the time I had to get it from a naturopath, it wasn't on the health food shop shelves yet.  I'd be interested to know whether it is now or not.  Perhaps someone could check it out the next time they're in a health food shop?  Thanks!

    Chrissy:  Happy Birthday!

    Kazzie:  Glad you enjoyed the LGFB.  I think the program is a great idea, I just wish they'd replace some of the makeup and cosmetics they give away with less toxic varieties.  I found it extremely interesting (if not to say downright provoking) that they gave away cosmetics that might have been responsible for us getting BC in the first place.  I don't say this to upset anyone, but I really feel everyone should know about it.  Go to http://bcaction.org/ for more info.

    And I agree with Racy - some counseling might be a very good idea for you.

    Hugs to my Australian sisters.  May the sun shine on your faces today. xox

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited December 2012

    Thanks for the Birthday wishes Marnie!!



    Jenn three weeks was all I could do on Tamoxifen before I ended up in hospital with a suspected heart attack from it. I was heading the same way on Fareston as well so back then it was no more drugs for me............



    Woohoo!!!!!! Just had breakfast and am enjoying my cup of tea before popping my overnight stuff into the suitcase and heading for the airport!!! Yippeeeeeee skippy!!!!! See you this arvo Sue!!!!



    Love n hugs all. Can't wait to see you others tomorrow!! Booyeah!!!!

    Chrissy

  • midnight1327
    midnight1327 Member Posts: 1,331
    edited December 2012

    yea Jenn. i dont  know about you, but i  have got a foggy brain, just a slight headache all the time, mind you the dam stress that we are under all the time wont help. i rang Breast cancer nurse 2 days ago, stil not heard back, but  i was hoping they could find me  another that does the same thing, not so darn potent. the other thing i was thinking about is that it is supposed to cause or can cause uterine cancer. so one of the symptoms is bleeding between periods, well how the heck would you know whether it is that or a period esp if periods are not regular. you could mistake as been a period and it could be something more sinister. i have been thinking alongqw the lines of a hysterectomy, i dont need the baby making equipment, i am 51 and hells teeth, having kid at my age, esp a first would kill me. so i am wondering a long the lines of a complete removal of the whole system if avoids having to take these for five years. We have a programme on tv at night which is titled, is your medication killing you. i have not sen it yet, but my mum was telling me that alot of the medication we take are our down fall. but to  avoid BC, what does a women do?

  • midnight1327
    midnight1327 Member Posts: 1,331
    edited December 2012

    P/S Chrissy was told about one that is similar, but my doc wont touch the breast cancer issue as far as the tams as the hospital are  the ones who look after that dept, my gp can perscribe it, just not change it. i am seeing the doc i saw for my rads and going to to bring some issues up. i will feel brave. mum says, you get what you put up with, you dont say anything, they not going to change things. i will speak up.

  • midnight1327
    midnight1327 Member Posts: 1,331
    edited December 2012

    Chissy. you and all you gals have a tremendous time and i will be thinking of you  AND HAVE A DRINK FOR ME>  love and hugs

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited December 2012

    I declined Tamoxifen so can't provide any input there Jenn.

  • Linda1966
    Linda1966 Member Posts: 441
    edited December 2012

    Jenn, if you read my posts from when I first joined BCO, i was constantly whinging about the side effects of Arimidex. Felt like a very old very tired lady non stop. Aches,Pains argggh, hated it, but stayed on it cause my poor mum would have flipped out if I hadnt. Even tried to get arimidex holidays lol. Seriously I hated how it made me feel, but stayed on it regardless thinking that was going to be how I felt for the rest of my life. To this day, im not sure if I was feeling the forcing of menopause or the chemical side effects of arimidex, but whatever I was feeling, its all gone now and I feel great.

    Seeing the naturopath and changing the supplements really helped me. I could do another 5 years or 15 years standing on my head now. I have to do a 10 hour shift on my feet tonight and have no qualms in being able to do it. Could NOT have even hoped to do that before swapping the supps and would probably have been in tears at the very thought of trying to work so long.

    I DO NOT believe in ONLY naturopathic/alternative medicine for BC or anything else serious, but I do think there are natural supps that can help ease the side effects and improve our quality of life. I dont know whether the change in how my body feels is because the supps are adjusting the balance of my body chemicals (if thats the right phrase)  or if theyre doing something else, all I do know is I feel normal every single day.

    And I know it sounds nutty, but seeing that crystal therapist a few months back was amazing. I dont feel the bitterness of the past and the dread/threat of BC weighing me down anymore. Possibly its just because im feeling better in body that the mind follows? I dont know but Im in the best place I have been for 5 years at present and the only things that have changed are the supps and that healing session.

    Ask around, see if you can find a reputable naturopath, have a proper consultation with them. Make it clear you dont want anything that could inpact on the benefit from the tamox, just want to see if they can help with side effects and make a decision from there. Another alternative is of course to try a different al, but if the dr's believe tamox is the best for you, perhaps try the naturopath first, you can always look into changing al's if you get no relief.

    Please learn from my mistake, see someone now, dont let it drag on for years. Maybe Im just the one in a million that had a good reaction to taking a few supps, but for the price of naturopath session and a couple of bottles of supps, its worth it to find out if you improve dramatically too.

  • Kazzie61
    Kazzie61 Member Posts: 418
    edited December 2012

    Thanks girls.....perched up in the chemo chair now & I was a very brave girl......didn't have the Emla patch!! Still emotional though!



    Marie...thanks for the info re the cosmetics, gonna read it shortly while I'm here..



    Racey...I do have a referral to a counsellor who specializes in coping with terminal illness, just haven't got around to making the appointment! Think it might be time though!



    Thanks again lovely ladies....



    Karen x



  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited December 2012

    (((((((((Karen)))))))))



    Hi ya Suzie..........I'm here!!!!!!!!.....lol ......sitting on a bench outside the Rush Bar. Had a great visit with my niece and she kindly dropped me off a few minutes ago as she needs to Ho pick up her boys from school. I can't believe I'm right here in Brizzy.......yahoooooo!!!!!!!

  • lolalee
    lolalee Member Posts: 164
    edited December 2012

    Hope you have a great time girls!

  • lolalee
    lolalee Member Posts: 164
    edited December 2012

    Great article Jenn, there was a "related report" on DCIS as well. Seems to be a benefit knowing the HER2 status with DCIS as well.  I did ask my BS and he said they do not test with DCIS, however I will now push for it....Thanks!

  • kyliet
    kyliet Member Posts: 587
    edited December 2012

    Happy belated birthday Chrissy.

    Trish good news that you can get in soon. Hoping for tearing also.

    Kazzie - hope you are doing ok. Day afters suck.

    Jenn - my radio onc said he wanted me on tamox for 10 years. My onc was just a d**k and didn't even prescribe it - he left it to the RO. Because everyone else seemed to be told 5 years I did a bit of research and will stick it out for 10 if possible, I think the benefits sound worth it. On saying that I am sure my tamox mixes badly with my other meds even though there is no known interaction. They can't possibly test everything.

    Girls have a wonderful time in Brissy. Enjoy xx

  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited December 2012

    Yes Kylie, I am certainly going to try for at least the 5 years and then worry about the next 5.



    Went to the GP on the way home for the dreaded pap smear test. Seemed like nothing after all that's happened this year! While I was there I told him that I haven't slept through the night in a year and now the Tamox is making me wake more than nce in the night and I just want to "teach my body" how to sleep again. He said "no problem" and handed me a script for a sleeping tab called Normison which is designed to deal with insomnia. Why on earth did I wait this long to ask?



    Going to take one tonight and be off to bed at about 9pm :-)



    Jenn

  • jezza
    jezza Member Posts: 295
    edited December 2012

    Just quickly Jenn...mum did tamoxifen for 10 years...at the time I think it was a mistake..her elderly Dr kept prescribing it for her...she died at 89 ...not from breast cancer. And btw..sleeping tablets are a godsend. I take an over the counter one that I think saved me from a complete breakdown after my adopted daughter went off the rails BIGTIME a few years ago. I take them now and then on really hot nights or when I haven't slept well for a while.

    Alyson....I love cats and I can just imagine them with your quilts which are lovely by the way. Anything that we are interested in they have to get involved...suitcases...boxes...lol

    Karen...hope you are feeling ok. xxxx

    jezza

    Karen

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