Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?
Share with us: What are your proudest moments of 2024 and personal goals for 2025?
Take our poll: How are you feeling as we near the New Year?

Australian Sisters

1…3738404243…410

Comments

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

    Chrissy - sorry about your pain. I can't understand why the onc has left you on Femara when you have progression on it. Why not change to Aromasin or Arimidex to see if it has an impact.

    Jenn and Kate -sorry I've ignored you, hope you are both OK. Chemo suck, bc sucks - what else can I say. I'm coming up to my 2 year anniversary of finishing chemo in March and I still remember how horrible it was.

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

    Sue, the pain is arthritic pain not BC pain........lol..........and the reason I'm staying on the Femara is that the new ones are very small so I'd rather stay on the Femara and milk it while they give me no trouble and wait until they give me troubles before I change.  Hopefully I'll get another year out of the Femara but if I don't well I'll go with the flow.

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2012

    Susie, I haven't  felt ignored by you, sometimes there's nothing specific to say, but I still like reading everyone's posts and knowing how they are doing.

    Chrissy - I would say that that is good that it is arthritic v cancer, but I know arthritis can be a crippling painful disease in itself, so I'm sorry that you have that to contend with at the moment. You seem to have a good grip on your body and what's what. I admire you constant optimism and cheery support on this board. xxxx

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

    Thanks Kate, I just figure that I only cause myself angst if I fight against something that I have no hope of changing so I just accept and keep going.  I don't like causing angst for myself or anyone else and I think I'd rather be positive than negative.........it works for me!!!

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited February 2012

    Hi ladies. Kate, I agree Chrissy's nature comes through in her posts and is very comforting.



    I am off to the gym again soon. I only weigh 49.7 kg (remember I am only 5 feet tall) so only need to lose about 2 - 3 kilos to be really thin. My onc wants me to be as lean as possible as he thinks that's important. I mainly eat cancer fighting foods but that includes dark chocolate, in which I overindulge (supposed to have 40 grams per day). It's permanently on special at Coles so I buy too large blocks at a time.



    Ladies, just want to let you know that tomorrow is Saint Agatha's feast day, the patron saint of BC. I will be attending a special prayer service and will receive a blessing on behalf of all at BCO and will be thinking of you ladies in particular and praying for success with your treatments.

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

    Chrissy - I'm glad it's not cancer pain, but I hate the thought of it inside you!!

    I finally found some sheets - hope they are nice to sleep on. After going to every shop that sells sheets last weekend, I returned to Pillow Talk and got some on special $50 off. They're in the dryer now and I'll put them on the bed for tonight.

    I'll be up early to go to Mitchelton Markets - looking forward to my usual fresh fish and choc fudge.

    My mother ended up thinkiing she was given tablets when she nearly miscarried me, so not sure if it was that nasty drug. Said they made her sick and she didn't take them all - typical of her selfish attitude - I can't quite believe it. You are threatened with losing your baby and you don't take the medication you're given?????? Quite unbelievable. I'll talk to my onc when I see him in March for my Zometa and see if he thinks I should see a gyn. Not sure if there is a test they can give to find out if you've been exposed to DES. It would be nice knowing though.

    She did remember that my hands and feet swelled up when I had my first triple antigen - supposedly from the whooping cough vaccine. So, I really don't think I should go to Adelaide until our daughter's baby has had it's first vaccine. That's why I've been reluctant to be there as soon as it's born. There have been news stories about babies dying at a very young age and we have had quite an epidemic of whooping cough up here.

    Kate - how is the hair situation?

    Sue

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2012

    Ah the hair situation.  I washed it this morning, and it will probably be for the last time. It actually hurt to wash my hair, like my noggin was all bruised or something. Very tender. Hair loss is constant and plentiful. I have an emormous head of hair. Always have. Some hairdressers hate me, because they end up having to use double the amount of colour etc as I have so much of it, but they have to charge me the set price. Well these last four days I have had great hair days just because I have lost an awful lot of the bulk and it's sitting nicely. But it constantly falls into my eyes and mouth, and falls down to tickle my shoulders. Then I run my fingers (gently) through it and there are 20 or 30 pathetically sad strands there. This happens 20 times a day. It won't be long before the good hair day look is replaced by the thinning hair look. When that happens I will buzz it. It will actually be a relief to get the deed done,but I'm hanging in there until I start to look thinning and patchy.

    Arrrg. I know we have all been through it. But this for me, is harder than the surgery or the one chemo I have had.

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

    Kate - you're lucky - my hairdresser charges extra for more colour. I got mine buzzed very early - it was much easier and less messy :)

    (((((HUGS))))))

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

    Awe thank you Sue.  I hear you when you say that you'd rather not put the new babe in harms way with the whooping cough and I totally agree.  In one way I agree that what your mom did was a selfish act but on the other hand, if it was DES she may not have exposed you to enough to make a difference to you.........here's hoping anyway.  Good luck with your questions to the gyno.

    Kate, it's hard to loose your hair at any time and I'm with you when you say that it is even harder than going through the surgery, chemo etc.  I think women define themselves with their hair so loosing the hair makes us feel like we are loosing and intrinsic part of ourselves.  The one good thing about it all is that it does grow back.

  • jezza
    jezza Member Posts: 295
    edited February 2012

    Hi All

    Just reading through quickly re the dental scheme. Its called the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme and lots of the girls on the Aussie forum have received treatment up to $4250 (I think). The Govt. is always talking of shutting it down so I hope it's still going. Google it and get onto it ASAP as we all know what chemo can do to teeth.

    Also I guess you know that your Dr can prepare a CDM (chronic Management Plan) which entitles you to free visits to other medical professionals if you qualify....dietitions, physchologists...etc I think its 5 visits. No expert here as I didn't use it (I'm 20 years out) but have seen info on the Oz forum. 

    Good to save money when you can!

    Hugs to all

    jezza

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

    Hi Jezza - thanks for the information

    Yes, hair does grow back - with a vengeance - I hate it. It's getting longer in my attempt to grow the curls out but I'm not sure if I can put up with it for that long.

    Racy - I think you said you are going to get yours straightened - let me know how it goes. I wonder if you can get it partially straightened :)

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

    Off to an engagement party. Feeling quite "ordinary" and don't know how long I'll last but I've got the short wig on and my new "dewy" foundation so my 20yr old says I look good.



    This is my 20yr old's best friend from kindy! They grow so fast...



    Jenn

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

    Kate - glad your hair has stayed in for so long :-)



    Jenn

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited February 2012

    Sue, a reverse perm or relaxer will loosen the curls to gentle waves.

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

    Racy - that would be great - I'll ask my hairdresser about it - now that would make my day big time!!!

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

    Listen to this - you will be totally blown away - I cried and got goosebumps all over!!!!

    http://videos2view.net/2believe-JE.htm

  • Linda1966
    Linda1966 Member Posts: 441
    edited February 2012

    Wow and she's only 11 or 12, what phenomenal talent. I didnt cry but was stunned at such a beautful song

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

    Well it's 4 am and I can't sleep!!!  Bowels are keeping me awake lol  Just another reason I don't like anaesthetics!

    tmi I know :-) 

    Wow Jenn - an engagement party 3 days after chemo!  You are doing ok. Although when I think about it I went to a work Christmas Party 3 days after my second chemo, so you are on track. I too wore a wig and make up and felt pretty ok.  Hope you had fun xoxo

    My hair is now 4 inches long, I just measured it!  The things you do at 4 in the morning lol at least it's that long when I stretch it out.  The curls bring it down to around 2 inches.  But I've always had curly hair so that doesn't worry me.  I will need to get it cut soon though.

    The thing I'm noticing at the moment is how soft it is.  It hasn't been this soft since I was a baby I'm sure - I certainly don't remember it being this soft.  It's amazing!

    Kate - hope you are doing ok today.
    Jezza - thanks for the info.  I have used the scheme in the past for chiropractic care - I have a very bad neck after having 2 car crashes within a month (neither my fault!  I was rear ended both times) and whiplash has caused chronic neck issues.  The chiro has been the only thing keeping me functioning.  I need to go back and get some more of it.  It does help with paying the bills. 
    Trish

    xoxo

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

    Trish, I'm awake too :-( Today is the day I'm out of the Emend and Kytril and onto the Zofran and Maxalon. Sure enough woke at 3 am... Took a Maxalon, waited 1/2 hr and then took a Zofran which has worked. Just about to try and nod off again...



    Lasted 1.5 hrs at the party which was nice, but a bit pathetic...



    Jenn

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

    I mean me lasting only that long was pathetic, not that the party was....



    Jenn

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

    Well here's me too.........lol. 4.05am and I'm wide awake! I should have take. Some melatonin much earlier in the night. No excuse here, just one of those nights.

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

    Oops I'm posting from my phone so please forgive the errors.

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2012

    I'm here in the early brigade too. 4.40am over here (of course you're probably all munching into your brekky about now).

    WTF?? I have diorreah! Not too bad, but over the last 2 days. Every time I eat something I get the rumbles... I have had it off and on since chemo, nothing severe or concerning though, but really I would have thought at day 17 I wouldn't be haveing side effects, especially as I have been so good for most of it.Although now I think about it, I have had vague nausea (but really mild) off and on too for the better part of last week! Ah this Chemo is a real kicker isn't it?

    Jenn, glad you corrected yourself about the pathetic party lol! STill you did really well Day 3 to even put on the slap and go out at night. I bet you looked terrific too.

    Oh it will be another long day today. One thing I will say about Chemo though, I did enjoy the long deep sleeps it gave me in the first week.  

    xx

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

    Well the 3 of us could have had a nice chat on facebook, if I'd known you were all up too lol

    I got stuck into editing some photos and didn't have another look here until now!

    Hope you are feeling better today Jenn - I think 1.5 hours is doing pretty good.
    Chrissy - I took melatonin last night, and that didn't help, although I'm pretty tired now.  We'll all sleep well tonight I bet

    Trish

    xoxo

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

    Kate - sorry to tell you but my diarohea lasted the whole way through chemo.  No break at all.

    This morning's constipation was a bit of a shock - I never have constipation!!

    Still haven't moved anything, but at least I don't feel quite so uncomfortable, I took a senacot (hubby's) and that should get things moving soon I think

    Trish

    xoxo

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2012

    Oh and just one other little physical change thanks to Cafe Chemo. My thumb nails have been blue for a week, and this morning just noticed the start of blueness at the base of my index fingers - anyone else get this?

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2012
    Ah so if I am really really lucky - I'll loose weight Trisha wont I (ha ha yeah right). No hair, blue finger nails and still a puffed up MIchelen Man here!!! Oh it's going to be a good look Tongue out
  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 1,422
    edited February 2012

    I was up too but went to the markets - about to go out to breakfast with Steve.

    Kate - sounds yukky. Maybe TCH would have been better. I only had D a couple of days each cycle.

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

    Kate - I don't think blue fingernails is a good sign - isn't that a lack of oxygen or somthing?

    Sue - I think some people get constipated and some are the other extreme - it's just the person - not the chemo.  I know of a lot of people who were constipated on Taxotere - and I was the opposite.
    Did you get anything interesting at the markets?

    I'm just cooking up a big pot of beetroot chutney.  We picked two buckets of peaches too, so will be doing some peach and brandy chutney this afternoon!


    Trish

    xoxo

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

    Fresh barramundi and choc fudge and 2 pain au chocolat. I don't get my fruit and veg there - I reckon they are more expensive. So, we're having pan fried barramundi with mash and beurre noisette for dinner.

Categories

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