Australian Sisters
Comments
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Speaking of bad backs - I get to work this morning and go to the kitchen and bend down to put my lunch in a small fridge and wammo - my back went. Luckily I got an appt with my incredible physio, but will have to go home first to get the car. Just getting some code checked in and I'm off. Seeing him @ 12 - can't wait.
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Kate, mention any symptoms to your onc when you go in for your next chemo. It's this Friday, isn't it?
You're not working during chemo?0 -
Hi Racy, no I'm not working at the moment. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Financially it is really tough, but I'm just going with the flow. I feel bad not working - guilty - but then I remember that I have worked pretty much full time for the past 30 years, so taking a few months shouldn't mean I'm a slacker... I am enjoying just having time to myself I must say.
Yep, #2 on Friday. Will go and do my WBC blood test tomorrow. I'm feeling super well at the moment so I don't predict that there will be a problem there.
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Oh my, I'm so sorry Jenn that you feel that way but that's another side to the chemo regime. As Trish said, hour by hour, minute by minute if necessary, it will get better so don't beat your self up over it. The love of your job will return once you are feeling better so don't worry about that either. Rest, cry, rant, rave whatever you need to do to get you through this we are here to listen. Big gentle (((((hugs))))).
Kate good luck for Friday and chemo #2. Don't feel guilty over not working at this time. We all need to do what ever we need to do to get through all the crap that BC brings with it and you are doing just that, so trow that guilt to the curb.
Sue I hope you haven't done too much damage to your back!! OUCH!!!! It's really good that you got an appointment with your PT on such short notice. How is it feeling now? Oh, thanks for that recipe it sounds delicious and so very easy!
Trish your dissolving stitches can take up to three weeks to dissolve but you don't have to worry about them. The dressing only needs to be on for about 5 or six days or until the wound has sealed against infection. After that the whole thing will just heal up and you won't even know when the stitches are gone. Some times and it can be weeks later, if a bit of a stich for some reason doesn't dissolve, it will work it's way out and look like a yellow headed pimple. If you burst it out will pop the undissolved piece of stitch. Don't sweat about it, it often happens.
Well I picked three very large very yummy looking tomatoes today and I can't wait to sink my teeth into them.....lol.......the bushes are finally getting the role going, fruit ripening, fruit growing, fruit setting and flowers blooming..........don't you just love those marties!!!
Love n hugs to all. Chrissy
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Went to the physio and think I put it out again after I got in the car, so it's not feeling too good. I'm seeing him again tomorrow morning, so hopefully it will be better then. I'm working from home this afternoon but will have a sickie tomorrow. Just about ready for a nap.
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Sue I sure hope you get relief tomorrow! Just take it easy until the muscle and tendons strengthen again.
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He puts me on the traction machine and cracks my back - I love it!!!
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OUCH!!!! At one point many years ago, a PT tried to do the same thing for me but when he put me on the traction I couldn't breathe.........he sure went into a panic but it was a lesson learned.....no traction for me.....ever!
I just made a chicken and spinich fritatta for tea and it is in the oven......mmmm.....smells so good it's making me hungry!......lol
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Sounds ymuuy - I don't want to cook - too much pain.
Big storm coming - just looked at the radar - eeekk!!!0 -
Batton down the hatches and stay safe!!!
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Who would think this is February and summer .
I don't mind it being cooler as I run hot!0 -
Lol, you and me both Vivvy. I much prefer the weather as it is! Where you from Viv?
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mmm.... I hope that storm doesn't prevent me walking down the street to the gym shortly.
Sue, I go to the Wesley physio department as an outpatient. In fact I am going next week as I think I have a mild case of breast lymphedema starting. The physios there can help with that.
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Racy, whaqt is breast lymphedema? I'm wondering if that is what I have? Mine are inflammed and tender to touch and they sort of get an all over sensation to them, not a tingle as such but just a feeling that I can't describe. The nipples become swollen too and go a bit whiteish colour and they just feel plain uncomfortable. There is a clear deliniation between the affected areas. They always look like theve been resting in a nice warm bath. I've had this problem now since the new year and I'm sure it's not an infection. I will ask MO on Friday if he knows what it is, but then again boobs might not be his thing. If it is lymphedema what can be done to relieve it???
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Chrissy I am in Adelaide . Think we have 'talked' before but with my Swiss cheese brain who knows
Kate and Racy have you checked out the forum grrr I hate le on the lymphedema thread .
I have mild arm le and need to wear compression when I swell . They are really informative and supportive on that thread0 -
The storm was a non event - it looked worse on the radar than what actually happened.
Racy - I go to a guy in Toowong (he also has an office in the T&G Building in the city). He used to be a physio for the Bullets and I've been going to him for 12 years - he's a total genius and I wouldn't go to anyone else. I love that he is a manipulative physio and he never over services me which I really like after being ripped off by chiro's too many times in the past. I can give you his name if you like
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Kate, remind me what surgery you had. Lymphedema is more common with full axillary clearance. You only had one node removed? You had a reduction, didn't you? And your problem is on both breasts? And not on the chest at all?
With lymphedema, other symptoms can be indentation marks from clothing that take a while to go away and ridges of fluid under the skin.
If your problem is on both breasts, and only the breasts, I am guessing it's surgery related. I would contact the surgeon.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor!0 -
Jenn, the hospital you attend for chemo could have breastcare nurses on tap for you to call. They dont give chemo or anything like that, their entire job is to meet new patients, get a feel for their state of mind, financial and health circumstances and to be on call should you ever have any worries or concerns about anything to do with chemo. I had 2 at the RBH (funnily one of them was a bloke called Sister Michael who was absolutely wonderful). He gave me his card and told me to call if I had any worries at any time. I did end up calling him several times, what with various side effects I didnt know about, blood clots etc. Did one introduce themselves to you probably while you were waiting for your first treatment?
I went public for chemo so perhaps its a service only available in public hospitals I dont know. I do know he was worth his weight in gold and his reassurances were very needed and filled the gap between Onc visits. It would be worth your while to call the hospital where you receive your chemo and ask them if they provide such a service and take advantage of it if they do. Having an expert assure you that yes this is a normal side effect or NO its not, get to an ER, is very very reassuring.
Im sorry you and Kate are going through this. You will get thru it mate. Best advice I can ever offer is to just go with the flow. Get by minute to minute if you have to and know that you will feel better soon and that you are in the process of poisoning those rotten stinking cells and that it is worth while. On the days when you are feeling good, do things that you can enjoy and remember for the next time you feel bad.
It does sound trite cause few of us have met in person, but we really are all here for you guys. We've been through it and lived to tell the tale lol. You will too. I guarantee you will look back in a few months and think, okay it felt like crap at the time, but Im so glad I did it.
We are so very very lucky that our cancers have been found in most of us so early. Who knows how many women are walking around with silent timebombs in their boobs. But not us, ours has ben found, dx, removed and treated. Our odds of living long healthy and hopefuly happy lives are that much better thanks to what we put ourselves through with the treatments that your going through now.
Stay positive ladies. I know its not easy, but if you try it can make the whole experience a bit less emotionally draining. I remember being happy I kept my taste buds for the first few treatments, being happy that the cancer was found so early, being happy that I had someone to drive me to chemo (poor mum lol) Happy to get back home and have the dogs stay up with me on the nights I couldnt sleep. Bloody happy I had cable tv for those nights too. Completely ecstatic if oncology dept wasnt running 2 hours late.
Vivvy, nice to see you joining us. I too get mild le in my arm and wear the sleeve when it acts up which thankfully isnt very often. amazing how half an hour of wearing the sleeve can make the pain just go away.
Kate, your Oncologist or gp should know about your symptoms or if you have a breastcare nurse like I mentioned above, call them tomorrow and run it past them. Off hand it could be a variety of things, but theres no need to be guessing or worrying when your undergoing treatment. Tell the professionals and get it taken care of.
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Thanks Lyndal. That was a lovely post and yes I will ring my BN tomorrow.
Racy - I just looked up breast lymphodema here on the site. There are some Dr's who give there opinions. Not saying that is what I have (hope to high heavens not) but I do get deep fluid ridges from my compression bra which I am still wearing because I haven't bought any bras yet as I've been waiting (and waiting) for the swelling to go down so that I buy the correct size. Youré right I had a lumpectomy, dbl breast reduction and SNB.
As for something totally non BC related.. last night I was serving up dinner and I had just removed the vegetables from the microwave. I have a laminex benchtop so you don't have to worry about hot and cold things being placed on it. Anyway next second KABOOM! the pyrex microwave container literally exploded in a thousand pieces. There was glass shards into the next room. For a split second of course I had no idea what had happened and then I was just staring at it all in utter disbelief. Scared the life out of me it did. There went our dinner and we couldn't even give it to the dogs
. So from now on I will only use plastic microwavable containers, no more glass. It was a special microwave one too with the fitted lid and air vent. The only little knick I got was when I stepped backwards onto a shard. I am usually barefoot in the kitchen (but not pregnant ha ha). xxx0 -
Wow Kate! You are very lucky you weren't hurt as those shards can be deadly!
Lyndal, I had a breast nurse and as you say, they are worth their weight in gold.
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Kate, you are brave. I just noticed your new pic of your new do.
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Kate - funny you should tell us about the glass container, I won't use plastic anymore and have switched to glass.
Time for bed - I hope I've got a digesic lying around - much pain.0 -
I'm sure it was a freak occurance Susie. But I'm still not using glass anymore
Sorry you're in pain. I hope you found that pill and get a good nights sleep. 0 -
There is a breast care nurse at my centre. She never answers her phone and takes 2 days to answer emails. She is the one that initially told me she couldn't call me on Fridays after my txs (she doesn't work Fridays) but would most likely call on Mondays - and hasn't phoned me at all...
She appears to be the only route to the oncologist...
I chose this centre because I knew they were experts - just didn't realise they were so unattached to their patients :-(
Jenn0 -
How is your breast today, Jenn? Is it worth a call to the surgeon?
Or, if you go to the GP, he can call the specialist on your behalf and get advice while you are in the surgery.0 -
Hello all
Sorry - was out last night, and only now catching up with everyone's news.
Sue - hope your back is feeling better? My DH has a back that shouldn't hold him up. Lots of problems, arthritis, prolapsed discs, a couple of smaller bones that stick out the wrong way and we have a wonderful chiro (I have pretty serious neck issues) that keeps us both functioning. His can give out at the smallest thing - like a mis-step or minor stumble when he's walking. Valium helps with the muscle spasms if you're having them, and codeine lol Also - the hot and cold packs alternating really does make a huge difference.
Jenn - hope you are travelling ok today? How're the se's today?
Kate - yes - I agree with the others - you need to see your BS to look at your breasts - doesn't sound right. And you are lucky you weren't hurt with the exploding glass! OMG, that could have been sooo much worse.
Vivvygirl - I'm really enjoying the cooler "summer" that we are having - I hate, hate, hate the heat!
Racy - did you get to the gym? Or did the storm hammer you lol
Lyndal - I know what you mean by having a great support nurse. My "breast care nurses" were ok. But because I live in NSW and had my treatment in the ACT, I had a general nurse from Cooma (about an hour south of Caberra) who came out to help with dressings etc when I had my surgery, and then would call me at least once a week when I was on chemo to see how I was going and give me any help she could. She was wonderful, and I'm not sure I would have gotten through chemo without her humour and nurturing.
Chrissy - hope you are travelling ok at the moment too?
I'm feeling great - and getting better every day. Last night (photography night) I was told I finally have my "spark" back - and you know what? I do!! lol
Love and hugs to you all
Trisha
xoxox
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Trish - the storm was a non event
My back is still really sore - I didn't have any digesics left so took some panadol extra. At least I slept. I've got my heat bag on it and that helps. Looking forward to my treatment today. In the past, I've gone to Richard barely being able to walk and he's fixed me up in 2 or 3 treamtents. So I'm sure it will be much better today.
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Oh Susie. I feel for you... I bought some too high heeled shoes and they put my back out big time. I needed physio. Stupid thing was it wasn't until I had worn the shoes twice and put my back out twice (the next day I couldn't get out of bed) that I realised it was the shoes. Anyway I had 3 physio's and they worked magic. Anyone want some great black lace up boots - size 10 - 3 inch heel?? Free to a good home.
.Anyway, hope the physio today does the trick for you. xxx
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At least I can walk
Anyway, I'm enjoying another day off work It's Steve's birthday today but he doesn't seem too happy about it.0 -
lol @ Sue - Steve probably wanted to read porn and drink beer for his birthday and you've ruined his fun lol
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