March 2011 chemo-lounge
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I had the left drain out today, but they obviously took the right one out too early. I am sloshing around on that side - it sounds awful. They are going to have to do aspirations over the next few days. I am pretty pissed off as I knew it was too soon but they took it out anyway.
Lily - my front is quite flat but I have the mouse ears bit at the edge of the scars on my back - really annoying, I may go for the tank top thing as well.
Feeling very grumpy
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Penny-That plain sucks! I hope they get the remaining fluid out soon.
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Sorry to hear you're so down, Penny. I hope the fluid issue resolves quickly.
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Histology on the left was all clear - Yeah!
They are leaving the fluid there and hoping it clears itself or leaks out through the wound (which it does regularly) worst case is they will have to go back in and put a drain in. - Hoping that won't happen but not feeling so bad tempered anyway.
Had an awful dream last night involving the surgeon and an electric can opener. - hilarious in the light of day, strange what our minds do to cope with this.
Hope you are all well - those of you close to the end of rads - not long now.
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Glad your left side was all clear Penny! Good news. Sorry you are still dealing with the drainage.
Met with PS today who gave the ok to have tissue expanders replaced with implants on 12/29. Looking forward to getting it done, especially before new deductible on 1/1!
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Penny-funny about the dream. If I take an ambien, i have the most vivid dreams with people from the past that are just plain weird. I emailed a former coworker after the first one to make sure she was ok!
Colo-nice New Year's Eve present for you! Maybe you can show off your cleavage through that lovely surgical bra.0 -
Hey all. Today is one year from diagnosis for me! I thought I would feel really down, but in fact I am feeling pretty darned good. What a difference a year makes. The next two months we will all be facing this anniversary. What a strong bunch of women we all are!
I saw my MO this week, and I was wondering, are any of you having the Zoladex/Lupron injections? I am on tamoxifen, but I still have a regular period. My MO said there are no conclusive studies, but that women who go into menopause in chemo and STAY in menopause "do better" than women who get their periods back (nice code speak).
I am looking at injections for 10 years, alongside the 5 years of tamoxifen followed by 5 years of arimidex. Maybe that's why some choose the oophorectomy... thoughts?
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Hi everyone! Good to hear it seems everyone is doing pretty well. I love the new mumish Penny! That is one that could have come out of my mouth as well since the wrong word always seems to come to me. Sorry about the fluid, hope it gets all resolved soon. Glad you are done with surgeries though.
Maxine, I can't really give you an intelligent answer, but I would get the thoughts of your gyn too. I know having ovaries removed can do a number on some women, and the younger they are the more likely as well. I think the sx itself is easy for surgery though, they usually do it laproscopically. I am sure the injections are no picnic either. I am hoping I stay in menopause. I wasn't at the beginning of chemo, but went in almost immediately and it is the only SE I am happy about.
Have a great weekend everyone!
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Maxine: My periods have not returned at all yet. The last time I had my period was during my first chemo the first week of March. I hope it stays away!!
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I too hope mine stays away! Yes that is on SE I love!
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Hi gals...it is snowing here. Have about 4 inches! My poor little Gracie is having a terrible time finding a place in the yard to pee and poo. We cleared a spot but she insists on bounding into the snow and it is too deep! I was going to post a picture but I can't figure out the new photobucket website. Have any of you tried it? Are you using anything different?
I have been reading everyone's post. Hard to believe we are coming up on a year for our diagnoses. I found my lump on New Year's Eve. I know several of you started this journey in December. Is that how you determine "cancerversery?" The date you found it (if you did) or the day you were diagnosed? My niece wants to have a party for me in mid-January. I think we will do a combination New Year's and New Beginnings sort of theme.
Still trying to decide what to do with all the docs...surgeon, RO, MO. Surgeon is actually the director of the Breast Center and that is where I have done mammograms. Normally (I think) you don't stick with the surgeon, but given that he is a specialist (boobs only!), I like the idea of staying in the loop with him. And he wants to see me every 4 months for 2 years, although he says I can go yearly for mammo. But he is in Omaha (2+ hrs away). Saw RO and he says it is protocol to see him every 3 months for 2 yrs and he will order the mammos. However, he wants mammo every 6 months, BUT he really does not do a very thorough breast exam. Just a quick glance and feel. AND, he is in Lincoln (90 min away). MO also wants every 3 months and since I did a clinical trial I am obligated to do that. PLUS it makes sense that he would be the main guy. He is in Grand Island (25 min away). It was my decision to "fragment" the treatment, but now I don't know what to do. Am thinking the RO can go. But I like the idea of 6 mo mammos instead of yearly, esp with triple negative. Hmm...
Have any of you received a surviver plan or life plan? Can't remember name for sure. I go to MO in 2 weeks and that is what I will be getting. It has been 6 months since chemo ended. I guess it outlines all the things that come next: how often for mammos, paps, any other regular screens, etc. I am getting a colonoscopy on Thursday. I procrastinated and originally couldn't get in until January, but asked to be called if there was a cancellation and there was. Yay-I guess! But at least it will be on this year's insurance. If you HAVE to get BC, the beginning of the insurance year is ideal! Hate to think of starting the deductibles all over again, but the big expenses should be over, right?
I did get myself weaned off the Cymbalta finally. Kay was it you saying you had trouble too? I was dizzy and had headaches but it was short-lived and I feel better in the mornings. Have also been off the Ambien for a week. So all I am taking now is Ativan at night. Still have some neuropathy so also take Neurontin (gabapentin). Who was it that went for accupunture? Did that help? I tried it twice early on but went to someone with no experience with cancer SE's, I think. I am getting a referral to PT for an evaluation. I have been sore on the lumpectomy side, mostly near the sentinel node incision. I don't know what it is for sure, maybe scar tissue from radiation? We'll see. Am also concerned about possible lymphadema under my arm. Just really tired of all the lingering SE's that seem to crop up.
How are you all feeling about Christmas? I am cutting back on decorating. Usually I go all out. We have a much smaller tree this year, mainly because of the puppy. It is a pencil tree and looks so forlorn compared to the 10 ft tree I usually have. But it will be quick and easy to decorate. We are going to Florida for a week the day after Christmas and that is our family gift, so that makes shopping very easy! will only have stocking stuffers for kids, and a gift for my sister's family. My parents requested no gifts last year, just a donation in their name. So shopping is mostly done. Am so looking forward to getting away finally. Have only been gone one weekend for 4th of July because of all the treatments and uncertainty. Am thinking of another trip at spring break, with just husband.
Okay, this is waaaay too long, but you can tell I am bored on this cold snowy afternoon. I should be doing some decorating or laundry or something! Maybe some hot chocolate, a book, and a nap. ZZZZZZZ....
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Huskerkkc - I reckon ignore the distances when you make the decision - the important thing is who is best even if its a pain getting there. Maybe see the MO cos you've got to, drop the RO and you can always ask the BS to do 6 monthly mammograms. Don't like the idea of anyone who doesn't do a thorough exam.
I get the BS every 3 months for 2 years, RO after a year and Onc about every 6 months. No mammograms but then no boobs. Given I am a stage 3 I really want CT/MRI scans at a year but no-one seems to want to do them.
I am decorating for Xmas today - always seems odd in the blazing sunshine even after 22 years in Australia. Christmas in my childhood in England was all holly and snow and roaring fires.
I think i'll celebrate a year on the 5th Jan. I was told about the mammo finding something on 27th Dec but didn't really know what it as till the biopsy on 5th.
I reckon we should all celebrate and have a wonderful Christmas - we have been through such alot this year and its all going to get better from here.
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I figured out how to post again...here is little Gracie Lu after her first venture into the snow...
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Hi Everyone,
Just got through catching up with all the posts. It is hard to believe that is a year or close to it since we all got diagnosed. You have all been just such great friends to me and when I get down I always check in and feel better for it.
I have some bad news to share - I have a sister who is seriously ill (not BC) so I will be away with her for quite a while and only returning home every 3 weeks for my Herceptin. There is much hope for a full recovery but it will be a long haul. We both can't believe what 2011 brought to us - how innocent of what was coming down the road for us when we were together at Christmas. Can't wait to put 2011 behind us and move on to a better future.
I will check in when I can but in the meanwhile hope you all have great holidays.
Kymn - great vibes going your way and congrats to Lilylady - someone has to be that 1% and you are it!!
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Hi Chrissy - sorry to hear about your sister, hang in there - sister's are so special and you will support each other through this
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Kristy-poor little GracieLu looks like she needs a snow suit. I can just picture he hopping around like a little bunny. Pain in the butt to clean them up afterwards. I am SOOOO glad we haven;t had the snow yet-just lots of rain. Record breaking totals for rain here in Ohio-for the year and the month.
Chrissy-so sorry to hear about your sister. She is lucky she will have you to help. I think we all have a special perspective after the year we have had.
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chrissy- so sorry to hear about your sister. she is lucky to have you.
husker- that picture is too funny. Makes me cold just looking at her!
I wanted to share something I heard yesterday with you ladies. I have had a hard time getting over fatigue, and I keep blaming it on something. First the rads, and when it seemed like it was lasting too long, then tamoxifen. I don't feel like doing anything by the end of the day, and then I feel terribly guilty because I don't want to play with my kids, or make dinner, or stay up past 9 to spend time with my DH. And Christmas tasks? Forget about it.
Well, I went to see a rehab specialist yesterday (to talk about lymphedema) and she made me feel so much better. She talked about 'cancer fatigue' as a real thing. I know that we all know our bodies have been through the wringer this year, but she said the cumulative effect of surgeries, chemo, radiation, and the emotional upheaval results in overwhelming fatigue. Something that can take as much as a year to go away.
I know we all probably know this, but it was nice to be reassured that it isn't just me.
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Maxine...I'm going to an OT tomorrow to see about lymphedema. Not sure I have it, esp after surgeon told me with 0/3 nodes it was highly unlikely I'd get it. However NP and nurse navigator AND PT that visited a support group I attended were ademant that it is a very likely possibility at any time. Also said that regardless, we should wear a sleeve when traveling. So I'm at least going to get fitted for that, as we are going to Florida after Christmas (yay-finally! A vacation!) I've also had some soreness in my surgery arm area and mobility seems diminished. HOping to at least get some stretching, exercises, therapy, I don't know what!
And you are right, we were told in our group that fatigue is real and can last a year. And they said it to my husband too. I sleep just fine, through the night 6-7 hours, with a little help from Ativan. Have gone off Ambien for over a week now! (but it is ready if I need it) But most days I hit a wall about 2:30 and then again about 7:30-8pm.Going for colonoscopy (routine, hopefully) today. One more thing to check off the BC list of things to do and luckily in time to get in this year's insurance. The prep's been so....moving...and now I gotta go. Seriously... no more time to chat. Hope you all have a great week!
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Five hours of Christmas shopping at Mall of America yesterday...WOW..was I ever wiped out !!!!...I must have walked 10 miles...but almost finished with shopping.
Husker...I went for acupuncture for my neuropathy and yes it does help...just make sure whoever you go to has experience...I had electrical stimulator treatment (not sure what it's really called)...had some definite improvement but I'm not totally over it...DH helps with foot massage !!!!...after the 7 weeks of radiation, I just got TIRED of appts and decided to take a break. Hope you find someone who can help you.
Heading back to Mayo at the end of January to follow-up on the vaccine trial, meet with a surgeon who may agree to pull out my ovaries, and a genetic specialist...bringing my youngest daughter (21) along . Have been put in a study on genetics and lifestyle that will follow 5000 women for up to 10 years or so...
Hope you are all well...
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The whole fatigue thing is making me nuts!! I long for my sofa...and my flannel sheeted bed is even better. I have always been one to say sleep is over-rated and never needed much-now I can;t get enough. The only thing better than sleep is bad food or good food or ANY food. I lfeel like the Christmas Goose-all fattened up and ready to roast.
Rads is WAAAAY too much fun. Having to rush from work to be someplace every day-in December no less. I have cracked open in the crease of my armpit and have a lovely purplish rash over my chest and neck. Hoping the 2 days off will help. I have had to stop walking and working out because of the underarm rubbing thing. I will finish up Dec 28 if I don;t miss any. I had not been as faithful as I should with my lotion but on board now. I am using the real authentic Australian Emu oil and Aquaphor.
Having 2 brunches plus hosting a card party this weekend. Figured I would only have to shine the house up once. Working on the food now. Only sign of Christmas here is a wreath and a lonely little pointsettia that didn;t get watered enough. I may try to do some decorating after the brunchers leave sunday-or maybe I will have a power nap instead.
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Stilts, still inrigued by the accupuncture I di go twice during chemo but the guy didnt know whatche was doing and made it worse. Have not given up on the idea thigh. I must say though, the tingling has gone way down . Still taking neurotic though. Are you?
Colonoscopy was clear. Back in 5 yrs I think. Today got a OT eval. Have slight lymphedema of lumpectomy breast and same underarm. That was a surprise but I had been so so lately. Glad to know why. Have to get fitted for a sleeve to fly. Rats, really thought I would escape that. Am disappointed that surgeon discounted the possibility that I would be at risk ..we are all at risk. The OT was so kind and thorough. Just wished she would have seen me earlier. Nowto explain to my two schools...I can understand wanting a break from appts; that is probably what kept me from checking on my possible swelling earlier.
Lily, fatigue is a B$&@+ I sleep well (off Ambien a week, still using Ativan) but tired often. Tree is up with no decorations. Just not in the mood. Dd2 coming home Sunday with the promise of Christmas cheer and the willingness to deck the halls. have at it girl. Sorry to hear about the rads . I'm surprised they haven't given you a break to let your skin rest and heal. Keep moisturizing that is important.
How's everyone else.we are coming up on some milestones over this month and next..glad we are here to share those, good ,bad, and ugly.0 -
I get wiped out easily too. Particularly the three or four days after herceptin now. i got a flu shot on M onday and promptly got sick on Wednesday. Not sure if it is related but this afternoon i finally started to feel better.
Tree is up and decorated. Finished the kitchen tonight, entry and dining room are done. Got some odds and ends left and then hide the empty boxes. Shopping is pretty much done, but I did a lot of it online this year. I love getting all the deliveries. Iwas in chicago last weekend and got alot of things for mydaughter also.
I am a sloppy wrapper but a beautiful bow maker, so our system is that my husband wraps with military precision and i do all the bows. My goal is to be mostly done and wrapped by next weekend and then just enjoy the rest of the time.0 -
Hello Ladies,
Silia - HAPPY BIRTHDAY..today, Dec. 10th you celebrate another year of life and today is my cancerversary. Hope you have a great b'day....I'll meet you at the bar for a cosmo
Lily - Sorry about the rash on your armpit,hope the lotion helps. I hope your card party goes well..have fun.
Fluffqueen - I too am tired more often. I usually can't wait to go to bed. For awhile i thought the fatigue was in my head because of the chemo, but i am actually exhausted by the little things. I am usually very tired the day of my herceptin treatment but i bounce back in a day or so. I will be done with herceptin in March..can't wait.
Huskerkkc - Yes we are all coming on a milestone in the next few months. What a blessing for us to have found each other..Thanks Maria.
Ladies I thought i could stay up longer, but i am fading it is after midnight here so I am going to call it a night.
Have a great weekend ALL.
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Hi all, we're back from our Florida horseback riding trip. It was a really refreshing break from all of the cancer stuff, but now I have 2 weeks worth of laundry to catch up on. I do very little decorating for the holidays, so that won't interfere.
Was it Lilylady who asked about taking the horses on vacation with us? Well, we have a very large horse trailer that has a camping area in the front for us (called a living quarters), and area to haul horses in the back.We load up clothes, food, hay and feed for the horses and off we go. We have taken trips out west that have lasted well after a month.
Like Kristy, I have a colonoscopy planned before the end of the year, next week in fact. I have one 10 years ago at the age of 42 because of a strong family history. It was all clear, and I'm counting on this one to be clear too. Who'd have thought it would be breast cancer, and not colon cancer I had to worry about. And then, right before the end of the year, a mammogram. Hoping for start 2012 fresh and cancer free.
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Silia-Happy Birthday. Mine was yesterday. I started celebrating on Saturday night and plan to continue all week!
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Dee dee-I amdone in March also!
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Jules - glad you had a great holiday, my sister was a brilliant horsewoman but they scared me witless. Love to be out in the country though. Funny how we anticipate what it will be that gets us, I had always thought I'd drop dead from a coronary - dad had his first at 40. Never really considered BC.
Silia and Fluffqueen - hope you had a great birthday.
We are all going to have a great 2012!
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Thanks for the birthday wishes. Fluff, happy, happy birthday to you! I thought I would be flying high by now -- today was my final rads Tx. It should have been last week but I was way too crispy so the RO gave me a week off. I've been really bumming lately. My mom and mil have both been in the hospital. My mom for severe colitis (I'm picking her up from rehab tomorrow to take her home to her place.) My mil is a much worse scenario. She's had 3 strokes since Oct 31, her left side isn't working, she's in a different rehab place. I really thought I was in the "home stretch" of the marathon and now it feels like someone's telling me "this isn't a 26 mile race - it's a 50 mile race". Well, guess what? I'm on fumes trying to cross this finish line and I don't have the stamina for more miles - ughhhhhhh. Just really down I guess. I wanted 2012 to be free of all this stress and strain and now it's clear it will just be different stress and strain. We go to my mil's rehab place daily. I'm exhausted. My dp was bitten by a dog yesterday - no stitches but puncture in cheekbone and scalp (ow!!) She needed antibiotic and tetanus. I feel like we have a black cloud following us around. I realize I'm feeling sorry for myself and I know the glass can be half full or half empty depending on my perspective... Know that even when I'm not chiming in, I still enjoy hearing updates from all of you. As Tiny Tim said, "God bless us, everyone!"
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Silia so sorry to hear of all the bad luck. Hoping things change for the better soon! ((hugs))
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