Australian Sisters
Comments
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Chrissy - I meant to log in last night and wish you well, so if you don't see this until afterwards, know that I'm thinking of you.
Kylie - sleepless nights, yep know how you feel. I was in bed at 8.30 last night after the previous night's sleeplessness. Slept like a baby, but still have that "shattered" feeling this morning, Another ealry night tonight I think.
Jenn - thinking of you today too, hope your throat doesn't get any worse.
Funny thing for me, I had a seriously bad head cold when I was dx and it was the second one for that year. I haven't had one since! Not that I'm complaining lol
Kate - take it as easy as you can today - otherwise you won't make it through tomorrow.
Hope everyone else is going well.
Trish
xoxo
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Oh guys, I can't seem to make it through today. I'm on Keflex antiobiotics and although there is no warning on the packet about drowsiness, I can't seem to stay awake and I am a walking zombie. I have only just woken up off the couch (at 12.15pm). I have a super great big scar acros my neck from the surgery. I wasn't expecting that just from having a port put in, only a little incision in the chest for that. A friend of mine was working in the operating theatre I was in. She said my surgery took over two hours and the lump taken from my throat was about the size of a golf ball. I am now sure it is the lump I could see and feel that was in front of my thyroid. I'd had it for probably 20 years or so, so I don't think it will be anything related to BC at all. I am off to see my onc for my pre-chemo check up shortly. I am being driven there as I am too spaced out to walk straight let alone drive. Maybe it's the anaesthetic hangover? but I don't recall being this bad after my breast surgery which went a lot longer. Shudder to think what will happen if I am feeling like this tomorrow.
Jenn, hope today went OK for you.
xxx
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aww Kate, I hope your head starts clearing soon. Im not a dr or an onc, but I would think they may put off the next treatment so you can heal more before slamming your white cells again so dont get upset if that happens. The op ended up being way more than a simple port insertion. You havent said, but are you happy that lump is gone or didnt it bother you?
Good luck Jenn and of course Chrissy should be either in surgery or due in shortly if my memory is serving me correctly. Fingers crossed that all goes brilliantly for you both.
Kylie, Im sorry to hear your feeling bad, take it as easy as you can and I hope you pick up soon
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Hi all
Kylie, Kate and Jenn sounds as tough you are all going through rough times. Sending virtual rays of warm sunshine your ways.
Chrissy. Hopefully your post-op recovery goes well and that you are back on the Aussie Sisters thread soon
I'm finished rads and just started Tamoxifen. Muscle cramps and stiffness have hit me and I feel like an old lady but hopefully it's only short-lived.
Have a good weekend everyone and I hope you can enjoy the wedding Kate
Gerri
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Home again, home again... Went ok today. The Taxol infusion kept stopping due to air in the tubing so that took longer but it was made up for because this week they upped the flow rate of the herceptin so it only takes 1/2 hr each week now.
Thinking of Chrissy and Kate today...
Jenn0 -
(((((Chrissy))))))))) - hope the op went ok.
Kate - hope you are feeling a bit better - good luck for the wedding.
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I'm thinking of all the ladies who aren't feeling so well today.
Kate, I hope the ball that was removed from your neck proves to be harmless.
Sleep well everyone.0 -
Kate and Jenn - hope you are ok today? Kylie - you too.
Hope you are going well too Chrissy.
Sorry - I didn't get on here yesterday after my morning post, my sleepless night caught up with me with a bad headache, went home early and was in bed very early last night. Feeling ok today, just sort of hung over.
Trish
xoxox
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Oh Trish, that's no good. I hope you are feeling better today. I went to bed at about 8.00pm and had a fair nights sleep. I got up at 4.45 and did the table runners. All done (yay) I am now just waiting for Paul to get out of the shower so we can go out and set the decorations.
Jenn and Kylie, hope you are feeling better today too, and of course Chrissy (HUGS), thinking of you lots and hoping youré managing the aftermath of the surgery with gusto!
Love Kate xxxxx
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Kate - you take care today - it's good you got some sleep. I hope you have a great time at the wedding. Looking forward to seeing the pictures! :-)
Trishxoxo
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Hi girls! Just a quicky as I'm using my phone at the moment. Op went okay but much pain now as the PT has just been. The femoral block is wearing off so I am really feeling it now although the pain meds are pretty good. Doc is happy how things went.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Kate and Chrissy, glad to hear from you and you are both "ok" (to varying degrees).
Sorry about feeling a bit off Trish - take it easy today...
The day after T/H tx is always good it seems. Hubby and I did our now regular breakfast out followed by our weekly trip to Medicare. This week was $300 worth of receipts (2- breast ultrasound and gynae follow-up appt) and got $96 back.... Always depressing!
Forgot to tell you all that the gynae was happy to report that my uterus is absolutely normal, but maybe a bit disappointed that gave him nothing to do ;-) The cyst on one ovary is a normal sort of cyst but the report does say it has a little solid bit inside so despite it being unlikely to be cancerous he is getting me to have a CA125 blood test and a follow-up ultrasound in 3 months. I will revisit him towards the end of rads to discuss taking out my ovaries. If my ovaries are ok at that point I'm not sure I'll be willing to do anything with them. I have quietly checked the other boards and found a conversation about removal with all these women saying they had theirs removed and still went on to develop secondary cancer - so really not sure if it's worth the bother...
Jenn0 -
Jenn, I'm glad your uterus is ok. It's hard to move forward when issues keep coming up. I've experienced issues at times too, as have others.
There's a lot of info on this site about ovary removal. I looked at it when I was at your point but by the time I finished chemo I had a blood test that showed I was menopausal and I was prescribed an AI so my onc no longer thought it was an issue.
There is a lot to think about: having another surgery, option of Lupron to shut down ovaries chemically, risk factors for ovarian cancer or mets, negative impacts on heart health from ovary removal.
I suggest read all the info under the treatment menu, read others' experiences, talk to your onc at get your hormone levels checked after chemo.
Hi to Kate and Chrissy. Kate, I hope the wedding is enjoyable. Chrissy, rest and take it very easy in hospital.0 -
Hie to all my Aussie sisters I haven't been visiting for a wee while as I have been having Pain relieving Rads etc , plus they decided to play with my meds so I nearly died from some very nasty side affects from Jurstine(hydromorphone hydrochloride) ,and believe me the only thing that kept me going was that I wasn't going to let some little pill kill me when I have the challenge of BC knocking my socks off as a worthy enemy as much as I hate to say it! I am glad you got through your op okay chrissyb , you never cease to amaze me! Query for you all, I have been having Chemo only a few days after finishing the palliative Rads and oh boy! My tumours are protesting so bad I can't get comfortable without an extra ordinary amount of pain relief and when I tell the doctors just keep doing what your doing is their answer, the thing is it isn't them wishing for death even on the bad times as an escape brcause it is cruel. I know pain relief Rads take approximately 4 weeks to settle after event and do their job but I wish they could have taken it easy on the chemo-which before they hooked me up it took 4 goes a broken blood vessel and a bent needle before they hooked me up. No one has ever had as many problems hooking me up as these kids do all my other tests etc/even some chemo it is Bam! amd its in, I think they over think the task and that is why I have a black arm! Is this normal or am I beinf a grump!?
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Chrissy - so glad to hear from you, and that everything went ok. I hope your pain settles down soon xoxo
pminxy - welcome, I'm sorry you are having such a rough time though, and you can be a grump anytime you like lol - you know that's what these boards are for. I can't help you with your question though - I've never been in your situation, but I hope you find some answers soon xoxo Where in Australia are you?
Jenn - good news about your uteris, that must make you feel a bit better. I'm not sure what I'd do in your situation either - I was menopausal when all this happened. I'd had a hyster about 27 years ago, so I didn't have to worry about what any of the meds would do to my uteris - and although I do have part of both ovaries, that's not going to be a problem for me either.
Trish
xoxo
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Jenn, that is such positive news about your uterus and good to hear. Chrissy, great to hear from you too - well done. I'd say the next few days will see you muttering some expletives... but it will get better and better each day.
Decorations are all up - it was such a good combined effort and the place looks magical. I sent Paul home to get some more ivy and he came back with Jasmine.. but it's green he says... never mind, it was just to fill things out a bit more and can be done without. Just home now for a freshen up and rest for an hour before we go back out. I will post pictures I promise.
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Yay Kate! I can't wait to see them!
Jenn great news about your uterus!
Jeannette great to hear from you! Sorry you had such a miserable time with you meds.
Nurse has just been in to remove the drain from my knee..... Ouch! Once I stop sleeping so much I know I will improve very quickly. At least the PT was happy with my efforts...... Yay!
Love n hugs all! Chrissy0 -
Hope the wedding has gone off perfectly and very much looking forward to the photos Kate.
Jenn, Im the same as Racy and you may find yourself the same after rads too. Once post menopausal and on Arimidex they dont seem concerned with the ovaries anymore.
Chrissy great to hear your doing well, cant imagine a drain in the knee - ouch sounds a bit understated lol. So glad the PT was happy with it all and that your on track for much improved pain free movement.
Jannette, I read your profile and cant believe how much youve been through. You amaze me with your strength in character, spirit, heart and body in fighting all these years. Far as onc nurses are concerned, I sometimes think they couldnt find a vein if their own lives depended on it. Perhaps a port might be in order if your physically capable of undergoing what should be a fairly minor op (minor for everyone but poor Kate and that dang lump)
From your profile it sounds like your in the Brisbane area? Racy, Suzie and I live in and around Brisbane as well. Which hospital do you get the chemo at?
I really hope that the pain settles down soon for you so that your QOL improves dramatically.
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(((((((((((Jeannette))))))))))))) - so sorry you are going through this. I hate BC. I read your profile - no I didn't fall alseep. You are one tough lady as is Chrissy - we're here for you. BTW - I live in the inner Northside of Brissie.
Sue
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Well here I am again, early morning day 2. Yup it's 6am! Can you believe it!.......me awake that early in the morning!.......lol. Slept in two hour blocks last night ................you know a few zzzzzzzzz's and the rest twiddling your thumbs? One thing I must say and that is even though the op site is sore, it's probably not a sore as I was thinking it would be. We'll just see a bit later when the PT comes in again and stirs thing up.....................hahahahaha!
Kate hope the wedding went off with out a hitch! I'm sure the bride looked beautiful as did the mother of the bride.
Love n hugs all!!! Chrissy
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Morning Chrissy. You would have got an extra hour of sleep due to the end of daylight saving. Had you not adjusted your clock, it would have been 7 when you woke.
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Chrissy - I hope you don't hurt too much - that's one of the reasons I won't do it.
((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))
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Chrissy, you are sounding 'good'
. So pleased you are positing us so soon. The wedding wasn't my daughter, gosh when that happens I will be in hyper overdrive. She is my only child and her getting married will be a huge thing for me. This was my brother in laws marriage. The wedding went off really well and she LOVED the decorations. Michael (BIL) who isn't emontionally demonstrative normally, gave me the biggest and longest hug - actually I got worried about my port site as he squeezed so hard.. I left early though. I was just beyond tired. But all in all it was a really really happy occassion, and the important thing to me was that the decorations made it even more special to them.My sister in law and I bridesmaid crashed the wedding. We had joked for ages that we were going to be bridesmaids - when an offer wasn't forthcoming, we decided to take matters into our own hands, so we were dressed very similarly for the wedding, both wore tacky tiaras and held plastic flowers. We did stand off to one side just so that she would see us but not that close that we looked like were taking it seriously.. But as it turned out the lovely celebrant (who I was so taken with) needed our assistance twice to take the bouquets etc. So we did have a momentary starring role each. I said to Kerry (bride) later, you weren't upset with us were you? and she just laughed and said she absolutely just loved it! Mind you, she was just so happy that I don't think anything would have rattled her once she had the relief of the ceremony over.
And would you believe it is raining now! how's that for timimg?
xxxxx
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Morning everyone
Chrissy - good to hear from you this morning, and I understand about sleeping in hospitals - I can't do it. Just doze for a little while then awake for longer lol But ouch the drain coming out doesn't sound like fun. The drain I had out after my hysterectomy was like that yukky. At least the drain after the mx was ok - it was numb there anyway, so didn't feel a thing.
Kate - sounds like the wedding was a great success and you had lots of fun - that's great. Did you wear a tacky tiara on a bald head? lol that would have been a sight to see
Hope everyone else is going well - Jenn and Kylie how are you both today?
I'm feeling great - have caught up on sleep, so much better. Just getting sick of sleeplessnes that seems to be settling in on me again. Sue - does your AI (can't remember the name of it - again!) cause sleep interuptions?
Trish
xoxo
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Racy I had to check the time twice before I realised that it was the end of daylight saving............lol........I'm only admitting to being slow because of the drugs............well my excuse and I'm sticking to it...........hahahahaha!
Sue, the pain is really not that bad. It dropped me in the proverbial hole coz the block and the pump ran out together and the orals hadn't yet kicked in but once that happened and I got a heap more ice on it, the pain now is not bad at all. Besides, the short term pain of getting it done is so worth it for the effect after everything is healed. I even informed my surgeon Friday when he came out of the OR that I was planning on having this one healed and the other one done so that by Christmas I was aiming for two good knees.................he just laughed at me! I wonder why?
Kate, sorry for the mix up on just who's wedding it was, please forgive me. It sounds like it all turned out wonderfully well and that's all you can ask. I could just imagine the 'brides maids' crashing the wedding! What a hoot!!! So glad she took it in the spirit it was intended. Still can't wait to see some pics!
Love n hugs all! Chrissy
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OMG, I'm still trying to believe this.
I had a friend call to have a chat and catch up. We are fairly close and she was wonderful after my dx and surgery. Came out with dinners and slices and she lives a fair way from me.
We were just starting to wind up our chat and she asked me what was coming up for me and I said I had my mammogram and US coming up in May. She said she'd never had a mammogram. She's 60! I couldn't believe it, I just assumed that she would be getting them, especially after my dx. She said she didn't need them as there was no bc history in her family. When I said there wasn't in mine either - and that wasn't an indicator you wouldn't get it, she said - but your mother died of bc. No - it was my step mother. There is absolutely no history of bc in any of my family.
So - then she says - oh well it's all the stress you have that caused it and I don't have that. Stress? Apparently driving 45 minutes to work each day and then home again is stressful enough to bring on bc. She lives in the country too - on 100 acres - but in another direction from me and she only drove 30 minutes to work (she's now retired).
Where is all the awareness of how bc can happen to anyone? She's still not convinced that I somehow brought it upon myself, and she'll never get it. Don't get me wrong - she's still a great friend and I love her dearly. How do you get through to people like this???
Trish
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Trish - I take Aromasin now because the Arimidex had me too depressed. The onc said I should stay on it. I sleep ok - only because I take melatonin I think. Still wake up for lots of bathroom trips but I don't have any trouble going back to sleep. I certainly fall asleep quicker on Aromasin.
Chrissy - I've met people who had both knees done at once - I can't imagine what that would be like - yikes.
Went to the markets this morning - not much fish to choose from but I came home with a heavy bag - bananas, avocadoes, fudge, basil plants and 2 lots of fish. I don't usually get any fruit and veg there as I don't think its cheaper but my green grocer only had hard avo's yesterday.
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Trish - your friend is totally crazy - some people are just so stupid. Ask her if she took the pill or HRT - that's enough to put you at a higher risk.
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My GP started referring me for yearly mammograms when I was about 44. I do think GPs should be proactive about these screening tests and not wait for the patient to ask.
The health system should have a specific program for everyone over 40 to get a yearly checkup including blood tests and age appropriate screening. There is such a program for the elderly.
I also think doctors should be more proactive in starting a conversation with patients about obesity, exercise, excess alcohol and smoking. There should be more supportive programs to help people address these issues, not just advertising campaigns.0 -
Kate - I am so glad the wedding went well. You are amazing doing all you have done. Can't get the vision of a bald head and tiara out of my head though... When do you get results from lump? Thinking of you.
I don't seem to be picking up from No.3 FEC so well, still feel like utter crud, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
Trish - sorry to hear you had to listen to that, it is very upsetting. A big hug.
Suzie - your trip to the markets sounds great, I can't wait to get an appetitie back.
Chrissie - glad to hear you are going ok. Well done.
pminxy, jenn, lyndall, hello and hugs, Kylie x
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