Australian Sisters
Comments
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Hi girls!
Wow Aly! what an eventful Sunday but glad the police could restore the calm. So sorry to hear about your grand nephew.......sure hope he does well with the chemo.....prayers.
Hi Kathy! Nice to see you pop in! Oh yes, fire and flood are part of what makes this country and people, even with the heartbreak of loss we seem to find the best in it.
Viji, hope you are managing with your treatment........I know right now it seems like it won't ever end but it does. It's a tough year, the year of dx but it will go quicker than you think. Hope you are managing to stay cool.
The head is feeling better and the walking is getting straighter but the hearing is still gone........oh well! I guess I'm turning into my dad, he was deaf as well and seeing how I have so many of his traits this one was always on the cards. I'll get used to it like everything else.
Have a great night all and those in Sydney and surrounds, stay safe and cool.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
hey everyone just checking in to see how everyone is going. Ive actually started doing an online course diploma of business and management through careers australia. It has twelve units six are business based and the others are management based. Also when i finish the first assignment the college gives me an Ipad so i can study on the go!! ive never had an ipad before so it will be really cool! hopefully this will really help my job search.
still waiting on the waiting list for my reconstruction surgery but im trying to fill my days as best I can until next year so at least then i will be some months closer.0 -
Thanks for your kind thoughts girls, it's always appreciated. Annette I am sorry to hear the worrying news of your hubby and Alyson, well what can you say, your nephew only 18, just devastating. I enjoyed the tale about the fellow at church even though it was a drama for you. Wahine, in Australia we encourage everyone on our forum to join in, I don't get why this one has a certain rule of ettiquite, it's lovely to hear from you Love Gail0 -
Awww thanks for the nice welcome, girls! Sweet what you wrote too, Gail. I pop in every so often as I have known Chrissy for a long time now (just haven't had face time yet!), and met Alyson recently. You all really are so nice, and caring, and I agree, seems like Aussies have a very strong core, and can rise above so many difficulties....prolly because of the wilderness spirit. And having to endure fires, etc., and bounce right back. Amazing! Hope you will all have a good day, and those going through treatments and surgeries will do really well. I am sorry you are having to wait so long for your recon surgery, melp27, but sounds like you are dealing with it ok. Best wishes to you all, Kat0 -
Morning all though most of you Aussies won't be up yet. Wahine, Midnight and I are Kiwis and they let us over here, haha. We just come, anyway half of them are actually Kiwis. Don't worry we love teasing each other.
Wahine, I saw your names a while ago and checked where you came from because here in NZ it also means 'woman' in Maori.
Melp, great to see you and hear that you are so busy.
It is a beautiful morning here and I have already had breakfast because I can't eat four hours before the CT scan; have my drink in a couple of hour but at least its not too bad.
Have a great day.0 -
Alyson, so sorry to read about your nephew. I hope the CT scan goes well.
Melp27, great news about the course you are doing....all education is good and can only help you in the future :-)0 -
Alyson.....so, so sorry to hear about your nephew xx F#####g cancer is all I can think of to say.
Chrissy.....thanks heaps for posting my car pics. I hope you're starting to feel better, at least your paperwork is getting sorted!!
I had my scans yesterday......my interpretation is not good! Brain clear....phew, 'extensive sclerotic metastatic disease throughout the thoracic skeleton slightly more prominent', one of my liver mets has doubled in size....5mm to 10mm (I don't know if that is considered big or not!) & it says stuff about my lungs & uterus that I don't understand. I see the onc on Thursday & will have it all explained but I'm feeling scared!! Triple neg is so tricky & can happen so fast!!! Grandson in 4 months & I've been asked to be at the birth.....:) I think I got myself into a false sense of security coz my last scans were so positive & I don't want my time on Xeloda to be over.
So please lovely ladies, fingers crossed that its not as bad as I'm imagining...& a prayer or 2 wouldn't hurt!!
(((((Hugs)))))
Karen xxxx0 -
Karen ((((hugs)))) I can't offer you any explanations, or anything that is going to make you feel better, but know I'm hugging you now and holding you tight.
Trish
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Karen sending big hugs. We are certainly here for you.
My troubles are just minor - had ct scan today and it was a horror because they took seven attempts to get a line in for the contrast. My hand is like a pincushion. And I won't get results for ages because it was at the public hospital. Must say young doc who did get one in my foot was great and he was so concerned that he said if the last one hadn't worked that was it for the day. I always get shaky with the contrast but its far worse today probably because of what had happened. The nurse had me in tears with every try.
Now I am sitting watching some TV and a bit later I will find some knitting to do.0 -
Oh Aly - you poor thing, that's distressing sending you (((hugs))) too. And I'm so sorry to hear about your nephew xoxo
Trish
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Hoping and praying for only the best news for you Karen! One day, one breath at a time...
Thanks Chrissyb, I am coping all right this week, but the last one was really rough.
I have a question, did anyone travel quite soon after treatment and did you have any problems? I planned a Europe/America tour last year after my first bc, not knowing of course what would happen this year. We fly out 4 weeks after treatment ends (1TC + 3TCH) and one week after herceptin only. The trip has been paid for and am I being too optimistic about doing the 35 day trip? Your thoughts please. This is a once in a lifetime trip that I have wanted to do all my life and is part of my bucket list. Did not plan stupid bc to return to the first breast while undergoing treatment for bc in the second breast this year.
Please share your experience if you have travelled after treatment. Be honest.
Thank you.0 -
Karen, we are all here,not letting you go. we will be with you every step of the way. I wish i could just hug you now, have spoken to my mum, and she is putting you on the prayer chain at her church for healing. and you other ladies too, she referrs to you as annette's australian buddy's and Alyson, you as my auckland friend, she then does not get you confused and when you get something happening then, its by name. chrissy and trish have been in the special prayer for your back, and chrissy for her vertigo. and Karen u you will be too, but she does pray for you all as one big group. hubby is in the special group too and there is alot of ladies in her gtoup praying for you all.
I went to gym yesterday and coughed half of it, soon as i had to do the deep breathing, my chet went into a spasam and i coughed the rest of time. really brassed me off, so i just gave up, i will go tomorrow, but will take my cough medicene before i go and some panandol and it may quieten the old broncho tubes down..well i will go and have a drink, very rhirsty today. and have nap., then ger up and tidy kitchen.
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Viji, I did such a trip 6 weeks after the end of treatment. I had to take it easy at times but we had a ball. and the best thing was not wearing my wig though I needed a hat because it was October-November. We had planned to up to London but I decided to just stay with my friend and explore the local area. This was about half way through the trip and I needed a rest. I had been worried because I had developed an infection after radiation but that was almost clear when we left. All I would say is just make sure you don't get too tired and have a wonderful time.0 -
Hi Viji
I'm sorry - I didn't mean to completely ignore you over the past couple of pages :-( Hope you are feeling better now after your treatment? You've had it rough coping with bc recurrence (((hugs)))
I can't advise you as I didn't do big trips after treatment. I do remember that it took a little while for my strength to return. Herceptin was deceptive for me too. While it was pretty easy compared to chemo, I found it got harder and harder from about halfway through the treatments. I really didn't want to do the last 3 or 4 treatments. I was tired, had diarrhea and an eternally runny nose. I think Aly is right though - so long as you understand your body's limits and rest when you have to you may be ok.
What will you do about insurance though? If you get sick in the US it could potentially bankrupt you! Not sure if you can easily get travel insurance while still undergoing treatment (which will be Herceptin?) - or will you be completely finished the Herceptin too?
Sounds like it will be a great trip though!
Trish
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Viji, travel insurance was not a problem for me when I did a seven week world tour a couple of years ago........they just didn't cover me for anything that was cancer related but travel, luggage, accident etc were all covered at the normal rate. As the other girls have said, go and enjoy your trip but just be aware that you will more than likely need to rest a whole lot more than you originally planned but there is no reason not to go. Many women who are stage IV travel and usually they are on active treatment.
Karen, sometimes, and I know i'm just a guilty as you, we need not to look at the scan results until we can discuss them with our doc as we often read more into them than is there. Needless to say, I am ((((hugging)))) you tight and hoping that the news is not as bad as you think. How lovely that you have been asked to be present at the birth of your grandson!......that is just so special and such an emotional thing. I was there for the birth of my first grandson so I know just how special it really is and four months will go very quickly. I know TNBC can move fast but I'm sure you are going to be around long enough to be able to see your grandbaby and get enough pics of you both together to fill an album for him.
OMG Aly! That is so wrong on so many levels! I actually mentioned this to my doc last time I saw him as I have the same problem.........I told him that I was not up for any more scans as they can never find a vein big enough to take the contrast and I am not going to be a pin cushion for them anymore. I don't know about you, but I am developing a real fear of them and I never was afraid of anything. After all that my dear I do hope the results are good.
Melp good luck with your study course! Hope you achieve all that you want and it helps get you the job you desire. Sometimes the public system can go a t a snails pace but I'm sure you are moving up the list for recon daily.
Annette, thank you mum for including me for including us in her prayer list,,,,,,so kind of her and prayers are always welcome. Just take it a bit easy at the gym and a good cough suppressant is codeine.......my doc told me that years ago so if you have coughing fits at night or doing exercise a panadiene or any other tab containing codeine will help stop them.
I got a text from DD2 last night reminding me that we are to attend the Russian Ballet tomorrow night........I had forgotten when but knew it was coming up. I am going to go for a drive shortly just to make sure I am capable before I beg my DH to drive me........lol. DD bought these tickets as my mothers day gift and I so do not want to miss it!
The vertigo has improved and I no longer feel nauseous so that is a good thing and I'm not sure if it the deafness that is causing me to feel a little disoriented or something else. The head CT I had about six weeks ago was clear but this is starting to get a little ridiculous and makes me think there is something else going on........oh well, like everything, it is just a wait and see game that will continue.
It is blowing a gale here today and chilly......not freezing but cold enough to need a sweater........the vagaries of spring as tomorrow it will probably be hot again........lol.
Have a good day all!
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Thank you Trish, Alyson and Chrissy for your feedback. That is indeed very reassuring. I would have had 4 doses of 17 scheduled herceptin doses by the time I travel and will miss one. I got my insurance before the recurrence so I have to call in the change in status. Alyson, did you have to worry about LE? I am reading that thread and most people are not sure if you should wear a sleeve or not. What did you do?
It is going to be really hot in Sydney tomorrow and more fire danger. I am going out with a friend and hope to have a change of scene instead of being stuck in the house all day.
Take care everyone.0 -
Karen, I don't think that. Was a great idea to read the results, but of course it's so tempting. The only thing is you will have thought about every scary scenario there is and by the time you get there hopefully it's not what you are thinking. Geez I am in the same boat and when I heard my markers have doubled I went into a mini melt down as it's very surreal being stage 4, when you get through the chemo and your hair is growing back you feel like you are stage 3 and have got through it and life as normal will return. Then you realise there is never getting through it, it's ongoing. Wish you lots of ongoing treatment that are kind to you and healing to your body, so you are with your grandchild for a long long time. Love Gail0 -
I am so sorry I am not able to contribute much at the moment :-/. Am still reading along everyday and thinking about you all.
My new job is definitely going to be a challenge. Our house went on the market last week and we signed contracts by midday Sunday after the first open home on Saturday afternoon! And, I'm still studying and also trying to sort things for my mother in NZ.
Viji - I apologise for the delay in welcoming you! You asked about where I got my treatments - it was RPA for my lumpectomy, chemo and then reconstruction. Was not overly happy with my oncologist relationship so have now transferred my follow-up care to an oncologist at the SAN. I'm on a clinical trial testing a bone building drug in women with early stage bc, so I get to see the onc every three months for 5 years.
As part of the trial I'm on I also get an annual bone scan and CT along with a mammogram and ultrasound! They are rolling around again in January and I got quite a shock when I opened the envelope with the appointment details the other day. Just when I was starting to feel a little more secure... my two year anniversary of diagnosis is coming up in just over a month!
Jenn0 -
Jenn - I find it interesting the trial requires CT scans and bone scans given that my onc said they do not scan us because of the possible effects of the radiation given our risk of recurrence being much lower after treatment than for example bowel cancer. My DH had to have annual CT scans for 5 years after his bowel cancer.0 -
Karen - just sending you a lovely bunch of good wishes to take to the doctors. They will be wrapped in silver paper with a blue ribbon(for grandsons). X
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you ladies are all so sweet & amazing......I can truly feel the hugs & love....:)
(((Hugs)))
Karen xxxxxxxxxxxx0 -
Definitely love Karen :-)0 -
Karen (((hugs)))
Viji, I've read lots of pro and cons about wearing a sleeve while travelling. I went to the USA 3 weeks after my surgery and to Europe a couple of months ago. I didn't wear a sleeve either time but I did make sure I was well hydrated and that I exercised my arms regularly while in flight. Travel is wonderful so go and have a ball!0 -
Viji, I have always worn a sleeve and glove or gauntlet on long flights because I have LE. Sometimes haven't on short ones. I have truncial LE as well and so have to be careful.
Hope you are all having a good day.0 -
Jenn, thank you for the welcome and for answering my questions. Have been following all your troubles and wishing you all the best.
Tammy and Alyson, thank you for your perspectives on the sleeve and LE. I have to decide what to do in the next couple of months. I am going to remain positive and imagine myself getting on the plane and having a ball because you have all been so encouraging-thank you!
It is much cooler in Sydney today. Have a nice day ladies...0 -
Well girls I made it to and from the city driving myself......yay! Felt a little weird for the first few km but settled down and the trip was uneventful.
The Ballet was incredible! I was transfixed through the whole performance.........those tiny little girls....so much grace and strength and the guys?! Well what can I say.......they were so powerful with their lifts and their athleticism was mind blowing! They performed the whole first act from The Nutcracker, an excerpt from Don Quixote, and then they did the lead dance from Romeo and Juliet, Carmen, Aladdin and Bolero and finished up the performance with a comic adaptation of the Cancan. Wonderful!....... I think we well and truly got our moneys worth. They also announced that they will be returning next year to do the whole ballet of Don Quixote so I think DD is booking our tickets as soon as they are released.
Now to recover before returning to the city tomorrow night for DGS graduation..........they say there is no rest for the wicked, all I can say is I must be very, very wicked......hahhaha!
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
hey girls....results were good.....stable!! Pretty damn happy about that & the relief was enormous. I get to stay on Xeloda & onc said its 'very likely' I'll be here to meet my grandson....double yay! 👍👍
Went to 20 week scan yesterday & saw a 3D pic & cried tears of joy....god help me at the birth....
Chrissy....I love the ballet! I was a little ballerina when I was about 9 or 10....lol.
Anyway just a quickie to let you all know results were good....good example of why we shouldn't read the report ourselves....lol.
Have a good weekend all.
(((Hugs)))
Karen xxx0 -
Karen, wonderful news!!0 -
yay, that's best news Karen! Love Gail0 -
Karen, what a joy to hear. mum told me to tell you she was praying for you, the ten ladies sat in a circle and held hands and the whole lot of them just prayed for you that yr results would be good news and that you will have miracle happen. You will get to see you your little boy and see him grow up too. we are so pleased for you. HORRAY>
I went to thyroid Doc thursday and he is concluding that the tamoxifen is causing the problem with the absorbtion of the thyroxine, it is canceling it out, so he is putting my dose up again, what the onc should of done is when i went on the tamoxifen, they should of automatically increased it, as its the same if i got pregnant. up the dose. he said they did not really attend to my needs 100% as i am a person without thyroid gland, i need different trearment t a normal person, when they have a gland, he said, they have something to work with,m but i have not got one. and he has never known or treated anyone who was born with out a thyroid gland and survive, so i could be only one in the world with this condition., he said there is no other record of another living person with this. so to be born without one anf live to my age is a miracle. I am also going for an ultra scan on my womb, he was bit concernd as i had a monthly after a year of not having anything and wants to check womb lining to see if all down there is ok as tamoxifen can cause cancer there, he said , it might just be my age, bit not taking any chances, considering the thyroid was playing up. anyaway i better go and do some work and clean my messy house.
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