TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP
Comments
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Pbrain I too have wondered about living in the city for just about all of my adult & young adult life… not far from city buses and Lake Shore Drive. But I believe there are several switches that must be turned on to start the cancer. I feel the final switch was that asshole boss. According to my BS my cancer started about 1 year after I started to work for that asshole. Plus I like to blame it on him because he's an asshole. Why should I take the blame
But seriously how many women live in the city all their lives and never get breast cancer?0 -
I'm sorry it's been so long since I posted.
PBrain don't do this. I want to slap u. (not really) but u know that slap when some get hysterical on TV and say pull u'r self out of this and they do it with love. No way in this world did u cause this or any one of us, well maybe me, but u didn'tand no matter how u think u look if u saw me u'd be on u'r knees thanking God u look so good and u do really. I think that safety blanket of being with people looking after u can be very traumatic. My last visit for Herceptin I was with the Dr. and I started crying well she didn't say anything at first, then she said I never saw u cry and gave me tissues and put her arms around me and said what can I do to help u and I said u just did. And I stopped she just stared at me for the longest time over and over she said I never saw u cry.LOL I felt my safety net leaving me, what was I going to do now and tnat was the only time I cried. Well then she said Oh u'r going to see a lot of me still we have lots to figure out, then I was like OH no == but I really think it's a big adjustment I do see my Drs. often now and I hate it but I need to and it is what it is. So I so understand that lost feeling. But it will be better for u and in time the thought of recurrence won't lay so heavy on u. U'r body and mind have been thru so so much I remember when u started u had a terrible time--but u came thru it like a champ--U have a special gift that was given to u so enjoy it and don't look back.0 -
SpecialK---everytime I see u'r name I always want cereal and bananas-Oh and another thing I didn't mean I never cried cuz I was brave--I just don't cry easily. No bravery here.0 -
Oh, you lovely ladies. I just got caught up from about October 30 and I always feel so good when I read what's posted here. I now have several screenshots to organize after I finish posting this because I always end up saving posts from this thread.
On October 30 I got a call that my mom was in a psychiatric hospital and had been diagnosed with dementia. In some ways the last week and a half has been worse than the week following the breast cancer diagnosis. She's in Indiana - we're in Arizona. I still have two more Herceptin infusions, a PS consult in Los Angeles and final surgery for implants and (probable) port removal in early December. Oh, and I'm an only child. My mother has always suffered with mental illness which made the dementia even harder to recognize. The good thing is she is now in a safe, or relatively safe, place (transferred to a nursing home). The other good thing, no, miraculous thing, is that after smoking for 59 years (she's 76 - started at age 17) she has stopped smoking! I'm simply amazed - and relieved. There's much more to the story but the gist of it is that I'm dealing with a boatload of guilt and trying to work through it. On the other hand, I'm not yet finished with cancer treatment so I need to stop beating myself up about it - or risk losing my own mind!
PBrain, my friend, I hear you loud and clear. I've gone through the gamut of "what did I do to cause this to happen in my body?" and the list of triggers I've assembled is longer than my arm.
Speaking of MY ARM - I was stung by a SCORPION on my LEFT ARM (lymph node/cancer side) this past week! I've got to say that it was pretty far up there on the pain scale. We called the oncologist's office and they suggested going to the ER - just to be safe. We trapped the offender in a leftover plastic Chinese carryout box and took a photo of him/her to show them at the ER. They said there's no shortage of Californians who end up in the ER thinking they're going to die from a scorpion sting and most of the time there's no danger whatsoever. They gave me a Percocet (wow - I felt great in my head but my arm STILL stung/burned like crazy) and sent us on our way after about an hour and a half. The PA in the emergency room said he's lived here 14 years and never been bit. We've lived here six weeks . . .
Re: the ways I thought I had brought breast cancer into my life/body:
1. Former Diet Mountain Dew addiction (brominated vegetable oil)
2. Living close to a freeway in LA (PAH/car exhaust)
3. Living with a heavy smoker mother until I went away to college
4. Taking progesterone (Provera) back in the eighties for nasty periods (prescribed meds)
Really, the list goes on and on and on.
Oh, and having an addition to Nerds candy.
I'll never know what caused it and I'm sure I'll never stop worrying about it coming back. Or maybe that will fade eventually. Who knows...
PBrain, you mentioned the solvent in Herceptin? I need to go back and read that.
My Herceptin side effects seem to be related to the left side of my mouth and my neck/tongue. At least I'm hoping it's the Herceptin! SpecialK's list of side effects includes swelling of the mouth lining and that's kind of what this feels like.
lago, my condolences on the passing of one of your relatives and I don't think I can ever read the speeches enough and I typically end up doing a screenshot of them every time you post them (I need lots of reinforcement :-)
One last thing: PBrain, I had a very similar experience not once but twice during treatment (the communication feeling). Those two experiences continue to give me great comfort and I hope yours continues to comfort you!
Also, Sascha, I love your new photo! You're the picture of elegance!0 -
Hi LeeA
According to the ACS site:
Risk factors that are less clear or have been disproven
Tobacco smoke: Smoking may increase the risk of breast cancer. The increased risk seems to affect certain groups, such as women who started smoking when they were young. linky
and
Tobacco Smoke
For a long time, studies found no link between cigarette smoking and breast cancer. In recent years though, more studies have found that long-term heavy smoking is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. Some studies have found that the risk is highest in certain groups, such as women who started smoking when they were young. In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that there is limited evidence that tobacco smoking causes breast cancer.
An active focus of research is whether secondhand smoke increases the risk of breast cancer. Both mainstream and secondhand smoke contain chemicals that, in high concentrations, cause breast cancer in rodents. Chemicals in tobacco smoke reach breast tissue and are found in breast milk.
The evidence on secondhand smoke and breast cancer risk in human studies is controversial, at least in part because the link between smoking and breast cancer hasn’t been clear. One possible explanation for this is that tobacco smoke may have different effects on breast cancer risk in smokers and in those who are just exposed to smoke.
A report from the California Environmental Protection Agency in 2005 concluded that the evidence about secondhand smoke and breast cancer is "consistent with a causal association" in younger, mainly premenopausal women. The 2006 US Surgeon General's report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, concluded that there is "suggestive but not sufficient" evidence of a link at this point. In any case, this possible link to breast cancer is yet another reason to avoid secondhand smoke. linky 2
(According to my oncologist a couple of years ago she said it doesn't but then went on for about 5 minutes about all the health issues it does cause. oncologists hate tobacco products)
I would check with your onc but I do believe the risk of breast cancer from progesterone ended once you were off the meds.
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but here comes my newest speech, or shall I say story call it:
You gotta live
I was talking to my Pakistani cab driver (mid October 2013). We were discussing our favorite Pakistani restaurant on Devon. (We have the same fav.) I mentioned the food isn't the healthiest he replied "Hey you gotta live. You know if you go to heaven and god sees you haven't lived, *he won't let you into heaven. *He will through you back to earth and tell you to finish your life."
At least is was very funny when he said it. Really a fun cab ride. I'm not saying to abuse your body but you need to enjoy once in a while, unless your talking about crack or heroine.
* If I wasn't quoting him I would have used the word "she"0 -
Any of you ladies on facebook want to vote for my Strides team!
Team Illinois Ladies photos from 2013 and 2012 have been posted. Feel free to vote: Jut hit the "vote" tab. Any of the photos named "Lauren" are the photos I posted. https://www.facebook.com/Strides?sk=app_308101215921481
Note Team Illinois Ladies is a team made up of some of the women from the Illinois Ladies thread here on this forum.0 -
Appears that Dr Slamon is working on more miracles in cancer treatment. #goodnews0 -
Thanks Ashla...great article! I wish he come up with Her2+ miracle drug injection (a secured blanket drug ) every six month.
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Miss Lee...hugs
Miss Lago...done voting!
Miss Ashla....thanks for always keeping us up to date with articles
Miss Jane...still hugging you
Miss Cami...lol I always want cereal too when I see SpecialK's posts
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Great pictures lago! It looks like it was a wonderful day.0 -
Thanks for the article ashla.0 -
Yeah Chick!!! Celebrate!
Pbrain. I can so relate. Every time a doc tells me I should not have BC BUT am considered an outler with a highly aggressive form that does not respond well and now am off Herceptin after 20 weeks and every oral causes havoc to my body. I wonder every day what I did to cause this. I am a nurse-who did smoke in college with everyone else. Waited until my late 20s to start my baby factory. But did breast feed everyone. But still wonder everyday. Have depression-and the drugs. Go to work with the happy face every day. #$#@# husband (now ex) walked out day port was placed. Hard to exercise with the EF that fluctuates between 50 and 35 despite cardiac drugs. MO not able to find clinical trial that I fit since I started Herceptin and completed rads. None of which is a problem unless there is a recurrance.
I don't cook. I cooked for years-those 4 kids demanded food. But who cooks for one? I drink wine, beer (a weird new craving with chemo-my last beer prior to this I had 1 child and she is now 34) and eat popcorn @ home. Eat lunch @ work-university cafeteria food or someone grabs Subway. So a horrible diet. Have a treadmill I use to hang dry cleaning on.
Am not sure if my overwhelming fatigue is cancer related or depression or both. I don't miss work-but could sleep all weekend.
Enough whining. I need to do something productive.
Love to all. And thanks for your shoulders0 -
Thanks for the votes. I posted on 2 pages so pick your favs.
SusanHG123 I truly believe stress is a huge part of what causes cancer, or any sickness. If you can really try to work out on that treadmill even if it's a slow pace. It will help reduce stress and maybe help with depression too. But at least the EX, who was probably a big part of your stress in now gone. That's a good thing.0 -
Lol on the cereal and bananas! At least you guys aren't just thinking bananas! As in, she's bananas! My name has nothing to do with cereal actually - it was given to me by a friend of my husband's early in his military career - it is my "call sign" as my first name starts with K! It stuck and here I am these many years later - I actually have a heart tag bracelet engraved with "Special K"
On the self blame thing - since nobody has figured out yet why we develop breast cancer we can't honestly point to any one thing, or collection of behaviors and/or feelings, as the cause. Blaming ourselves for what we did, or didn't do, is a waste of energy, and changes nothing. Can't change the past, can't control the future. Tomorrow is a new day, so carpe diem people!0 -
This group is my favorite one and though the name triple positive refers to our diagnosis, for me triple positive also refers to what I gain from this group.
1. Inspiration
2. Information
3. Humor
This group is like a club for me where I go to listen to and learn about the experiences of all of you who are so good to regularly post and keep this group alive. I rarely post but draw such strength from this group.
I am mid-way through radiation and feeling really down and really tired and really burned. I am still anemic from my chemo and get cramps from the Herceptin in my legs every night.
I send my heartfelt thanks to all of you. You have helped to ease my journey in this battle.0 -
honeybair hang in there. It takes a while for your body to recover from all this treatment… and you're still going through it. It really does get better. The sun will shine again once the storm is over. Granted I know it's hard to believe when your going through treatment because you just feel tired and shitty.
and keep smiling linky0 -
honeybair
Like Lago said hang in there. Where you are now... Just past the midpoint of rads was the lowest point of all both psychologically and physically for me as well. I was claustrophobic and did fave down rads so that was a problem but I think rads just exhausted... Completely exhausted me and magnified my psychological issues. I cried on my last day of rads. Only the second time I cried in front docs.
Just keep checking off those boxes on the calendar. It really does get better !0 -
Miss Lago..lovevthe new avatar
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love the new pic lago!0 -
thanks my DH took it 8.14. Wish I wasn't wearing the sunglasses.0 -
I tried to vote Lago but it said it was done. Sorry. I love your new pic too.
Honeybair. Hang in there. You're on the downhill side now!
Special you know I never actually thought of cereal with your name! I actually had to think why the cereal jokes! My mind just didn't go there! LOL. Guess I was to literal. I thought of a special K. Thought your name was Kay. LOL. Just goes to show we all think differently. And yes, I over thought tests too! LOL.
Ashla thanks for the info...interesting.
Cami thanks for being here. You are always so much fun and have a unique view.
To all, much love.0 -
It is a little freaky how the posts on this site seem to mirror where I am. For example, I have been whining about two really tender spots on my ribs (not the cancer side). I already take aleve pretty regularly and that isnt affecting it and Ive tried some other OTC things with no results. I just emailed my ONC to tell him it is time to order the xray as I am just stewing on it round the clock and if it is something, I need some resolution.
On the depression front....I don't know if it is depression or anxiety, but I have noticed a change lately. I weaned off the effexor for hot flashes as I didn't notice a difference and still had them but now not so sure it wasn't helping. When first diagnosed I took cymbalta and I thought it helped a lot and helped with joint pain. Then, I had to switch when I started tamoxifen due to interactions. Effexor was not fun to wean off, and I really don't want to start again. I was thinking that he would have switched me over to an AI this year, but decided to wait for one more, so I can't cant retry the cymbalta.
It bothers me that I have gained back 18 of the 30 pounds I lost, and the exercise routine I was following is not so interesting to me. some of it has to do with my knee that I am still rehabbing from my fall, and a painful toe on the other foot, but that is somewhat of an excuse. Some of it is due to working more. Maybe I need to quit, lol.
For those of you on herceptin...for nails...mine stayed nice until the end of herceptin, and then have never fully recovered. I had nosebleeds throughout, although milder once I finished the chemo. Also, Pbrain, I had the big D for two days after every Herceptin treatment.
Off to bed now...long day tomorrow!0 -
Hi Miss Fluff...I was on Cymbalta for disc problems and fibromyalgia.......it worked great for me, but they had to switch to Effexor and Gabapetin due to the chemo drugs.
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Hello Everyone,
New member of the triple positive group. Turned 37 yesterday. I just received my results on Friday and I am TERRIFIED. Because cancer was found in 1/3 nodes, I have to have another surgery to remove more before chemo. I will have TCH for 6 rounds every 3 weeks then continue the Herceptin. Followed by Tamoxifen for 5, maybe more, years. Any advice, words of wisdom or hope any of you ladies can give? Does anyone know of any other treatment I should be asking my MO about? Can't sleep or stop crying.0 -
JK, Welcome and (((hugs))). You have found the right place. It sounds like your treatment will be the same as many of us had. You are early stage and there are many things in the arsenal to fight this!
It is helpful to take someone with you to all your appointments. Because you are so overwhelmed by this, you won't be able to remember everything the docs say. A partner with you will hopefully catch the things you miss. It also helps to write down your questions and concerns and take them with you to your appts, otherwise you will likely forget what you wanted ask. You also might want to ask for something to help you sleep. Many of here had to. It is always harder to handle things when we don't have enough sleep. There are some wonderful ladies on here and I know they will stop by with some great information and encouragement for you.0 -
Thanks for your kind response Bren.0 -
JK sent you a PM
Moonflwr912 it worked for me. I voted again today. Are you logged into facebook? You need to be logged in to vote.0 -
welcome JKOmaha!
We hear ya! Bren gave you excellent advice . I had TCH x6 plus another 11 herceptin as well. Had neo adjuvant and then lumpectomy.
We each have a different experience and different side effects. There are women in this forum to guide you with each of them should you experience them.
I was one of the lucky ones who made it through with relatively few bad side effects.
But.... We got through it and you will too!0 -
sorry I've been off for a bit. Congrats chickadee keep ringing!,,
Pbrain. We all wonder why me?. I'm thin, eat low fat, and still got it. It's what it is. I'm blaming stress. Had several stressful years They just don't know.0 -
Here's another "Why Me?"0
