Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Australian Sisters

1…366367369371372…410

Comments

  • aussie12
    aussie12 Member Posts: 421
    edited February 2016

    Hi all

    Chrissy I'm not doing that well. I'm in shock at the moment.

    I had my ct scan done today and after coming home I had a call from the hospital saying that I have blood clots in my lungs !!! I went to my GP and had a needle with enoxaparin sodium, a blood thinner. I will need a needle every day for 3 months and will have to give it to myself.

    I'll just have to be careful with bleeding etc and go to hospital if I have trouble.

    Will keep you all informed.

    Carol.

  • melp27
    melp27 Member Posts: 295
    edited February 2016

    Carol sorry to hear that. I had clots also last year. Im on fragmin for life so mine dont come back. They are keeping an eye on my liver and lungs and also my ovaries. Im having another ct and bloods done. Soon we will be discussing chemo my oncologist says.

    Trish hope your liver improves also. Have fun with chrissy 😊

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited February 2016

    Oh shit Carol! That's not good at all but with treatment they can resolve so don't panic. .......but ugh! Having to inject yourself everyday!

    I'm on Pradaxa for prevention particularly when I fly........I sure do hope after the three months are up you can go onto a capsule or tab for prevention.

    Clots are so scary but I'm glad they found them and you are now being treated.

    Mel, while you are responding to the AI there is no reason to change.........I sure do hope your onc is not a negative nelly!. Keeping everything crossed that your scans show only good things.

    Love n hugs girls! Chrissy

  • Lucy55
    Lucy55 Member Posts: 2,703
    edited February 2016

    Chrissy and Trish.. Glad you are having a great visit together.!!

    Donna.. One job I actually really enjoy is painting.. Just love how easy it is to freshen a area up with a bit of paint..

  • Lucy55
    Lucy55 Member Posts: 2,703
    edited February 2016

    I missed reading the last Page..

    Carol.. Sorry you are having problems.. Hope it can be sorted out quickly.

    Mel.. Thinking of you!

  • Tammy_M43
    Tammy_M43 Member Posts: 565
    edited February 2016

    Carol, sorry to read your news but glad that you are getting treatment.

    Take care everyone!

  • aussie12
    aussie12 Member Posts: 421
    edited February 2016

    Hi all

    I had Silver Chain come today, I did my own needle, it didn't hurt at all. The Silver Chain nurses are coming twice a day for a week , they have to check blood pressure etc. Then once a day for a week. The nurse just rang she won't be here until about 9.30pm.


  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited February 2016

    Carol sorry to hear you need that needle, but glad to hear it didn't hurt - that's always a bonus for us!

    Mel - good to hear from you xoxo

    Chrissy's visit was soooo lovely - she waited on me hand and foot and we've had some lovely meals, and now my freezer has all sorts of goodies in it lol.

    I did taxol number three on Thursday, my liver numbers had come down enough for it to go ahead. Hopefully they'll still be coming down and number four can happen this Thursday.

    I've had the best week - felt the best I had for a couple of months, having had a week off. Very tired and shaky today, but have been resting.

    Love to you all

    Trish

    xoxo

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited February 2016

    Trish I only wish I could have done more and stayed longer to wait on you. Thank you so much for allowing me the privelage.....I loved every minute I was there.

    I missed my morning cuddle fron Finn this morning but got one from my niece to make up for it......lol.

    Carol hope you are doing better.

    Love n hugs lovlies!!

  • Tammy_M43
    Tammy_M43 Member Posts: 565
    edited February 2016

    Trish and Chrissy, so glad that you got to spend time together!

    Carol, sounds like you're being taken care of too! I hope it continues.

  • gerrib
    gerrib Member Posts: 60
    edited February 2016

    I was on this forum a few years ago so some of you may remember me. I found out today I have ILC in other breast. I see you too have had a new diagnosis in other breast Trisha. I'm sorry about that and hope you are going OK with chemo.

    Now trying to decide between another lumpectomy and radiation or BMX. I live alone so don't know how I'd get on with recovery from BMX. Also don't know how I'd cope emotionally with no boobs. I wouldn't have reconstruction.

    Anyway i am having a ct scan to look for secondaries tomorrow so that is the most scary thing atm.

  • Tammy_M43
    Tammy_M43 Member Posts: 565
    edited February 2016

    Gerrib, sorry to read your news....I hope all goes well for you tomorrow (((hugs)))

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited February 2016

    Hi Gerrib, yes, I remember you. I'm so sorry that you also have had a second dx. Keeping my fingers crossed that the scans are all clear.

    As to a DMX, it might pay you to speak with a councillor before you finally decide which way to go.

    Stay in touch and let us know how you get on.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited February 2016

    Hi Gerri - I remember you xoxo I'm so sorry you've had to deal with this again - I know exactly how you feel. It was a huge shock for me to have to face this again.

    I'd had a mx first time around and had another this time, so I have no breasts now. I find it easier, not having to worry about putting a foob in so I'm not lopsided. I find I go out most of the time flat - and no-one notices. It took me a little while to realise no-one was looking at my chest lol. I had the scar on my left hand side tidied up when getting this mx, so while not a complete bmx, I did have discomfort right across my chest. It takes some time for the discomfort (I was lucky that I didn't have a great deal of pain) to ease, but it does eventually.

    Living on your own will make things a bit more difficult as you can't really raise your arms for quite a while, and lifting anything is hard too. Is there no-one that can come help you for a week or two? Community nursing will be able to help with some things, and they may be able to suggest help with meals and cleaning etc.

    Living with no breasts hasn't been hard for me emotionally - I think it was a bit harder with just one breast, as there was always another one there to remind me of what had gone. But as far as I was concerned - especially this time - they were trying to kill me, so I didn't want them. My DH wasn't interested in me keeping them either, he told me it was me he loved not my breasts - and he really meant it. I also didn't want to have radiation, which you have to have with a lx.

    It's your choice - and you need to make the decision that you are most comfortable with. Feel free to PM me if you wish, or if you want to talk, let me know and I'll call you, for some reason I have your mobile number in my phone - unless it's changed.

    My thoughts are with you - hopefully all goes well with your scans, I'll be keeping everything crossed for you.

    Trish

    xoxo

  • gerrib
    gerrib Member Posts: 60
    edited March 2016

    Thanks for your well wishes Chrissy, Tammy and Trisha. You are so generous with your replies. Trisha thanks for describing your experience. It is really helpful reading how other people respond.

    I had my CT with contrast today

    I found out my sister can come and help me so maybe I will have BMX. It seems there are so many women here who have had more than 1 episode of BC. Anyway have to get the all clear from today's scan first. If it has spread to bones or other organs I probably wouldn't have primary tumour removed?? Is that correct. I can't remember.

    I'm a slow typer so my replies will probably be short. Have never been able to master touch typing!

    Gerri


  • Lucy55
    Lucy55 Member Posts: 2,703
    edited March 2016

    Gerrib.. Keeping you in thoughts and prayers for great scan results..

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 1,422
    edited March 2016

    Gerrib - I had a second cancer in the other breast diagnosed a year after the first one - I didn't have a BMX - luckily my new surgeon went along with it. I hate surgery so I have never regretted that decision. I'm now more than 6 years out.

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited March 2016

    Gerrib, if it has spread, having surgery is still a possibility but it may depend on how well you respond to treatment......then you may need to insist that it be done.

    There is still two trains of thought with the surgeons so you might have to do some jumping up and down but there are many who have had surgery even when stage IV.

    Post long or short, whatever you are comfortable with.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • gerrib
    gerrib Member Posts: 60
    edited March 2016

    i got my CT scan results back. All clear so that is a relief. But I have had a delayed reaction to contrast medium. Hives, itchiness and general malaise. Oh well the main thing is the CT was OK.


    How is your chemo going Trish?

  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 269
    edited March 2016

    Nice to "meet" you gerrib but so sorry you have found yourself back here. So glad your CT was clear.

    Hope everyone else is doing ok. Hugs Donna.

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited March 2016

    Yay Gerrib!! That's great news and sure does lift a weight ftom your shouders! Bugger about the delayed reaction to the contrast.......i hope you have let them know as it is very important that you do.

    Hoping the symptoms pass quickly.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited March 2016

    Gerri I've been thinking about you and hoping for the news you've received. Yay!! Bugger about the reaction to the dye though - I throw up from the MRI contrast, make sure your GP knows about the reaction.

    I'm doing ok - had chemo today, so resting at the moment. It all went like clockwork today, port accessed easily (I have a problem port lol) and was in and out in just over two hours - a record!

    Trish

    xoxo

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited March 2016

    Woohoo Trish on the record time! and yay! On the fact that you are resting lovely.

    Love n hugs all. Chrissy

  • Tammy_M43
    Tammy_M43 Member Posts: 565
    edited March 2016

    Good news ladies!

  • kyliet
    kyliet Member Posts: 587
    edited March 2016

    Wishing everyone a big hello.

    Thinking of everyone having treatment and that you are coping ok.

    Love and hugs, Kylie

  • gerrib
    gerrib Member Posts: 60
    edited March 2016

    Hi Kylie. i think you were on this board when i was first around in 2012.

    How are you feeling Trish?

    I have decided to have umx next wed as MRI showed another small spot of probable ILC and I couldn't face another core bx .... Intended to have bmx but would have had to wait for a month. May go back for other side later.

    Hope you are all feeling well.

    Gerri

  • kyliet
    kyliet Member Posts: 587
    edited March 2016

    Yes Gerri, I like to keep up to date with everyone :)

    Good thoughts for Wednesday, I hope it goes as smoothly as possible x


  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited March 2016

    Gerrib keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well for you next Wednesday. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

    Hi Kylie! Nice to see you.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited March 2016

    Hi everyone,

    Just hooking in to let you know that:

    • I pulled out of that clinical trial I had been on for the past 4 years (D-Care). Visiting the oncology dept every 3 months for the past 4 years just became so "old". It felt like those appointments rolled around so much that I was never going to get away from breast cancer.
    • I stopped taking Femara about a month ago - and told my oncologist I'm not willing to go back onto anything unless cancer comes back. He actually congratulated me on making it to a solid 4+ years. The pain in my whole body had gotten to the stage that I was considering having to buy a cane or a electric wheelchair :-( And, the brain fog was also to the point of ridiculous. Been off the Femara a month and still struggling with soreness, but it's reducing very slowly and at least I can get out of bed a little easier in the mornings.
    • I had been on an antidepressant for a year due to all the crappy stuff happening. I came off that about 2 months ago. Was horrible coming off it, but it had to be done since I had put on 13kilos in the just under a year I had been on it and the weight was still going on. I'm now over 100kgs and that's so not good.
    Have been trying slowly to improve things now. I'm trying to be active when I have the energy and I think I've lost a kilo. Still a long way to go and since I've always struggled with weight I know it won't come off easily. At least now I can walk around the block without getting so breathless and without my legs feeling they have turned into logs.

    Love to all, Jenn

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited March 2016

    Wow Jenn! So much happening for you but glad you are being proactive and doing something to sort it all out. I will be interested to hear how long it takes you to not feel so achy. Oh do I hear you on the weight gain thing! Good luck with getting down to a weight that makes you feel good.....really hard but should now be easier now the anti depressant and the Femara is gone.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy


Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.