March 2011 chemo-lounge
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I suggest we all have a completely BC free Christmas - I am telling my family no cancer conversation, I am perfectly well and going to enjoy Christmas as if I never had it.
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I like it Penny! It's a BC free zone!!!!
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I like it too Penny. I just want to enjoy Christmas and not think of anything cancer related. Hope that is a gift I give myself. MaxineO, I am glad you liked the onc who filled in for yours. I talked to mine about it and just said it was fine to see the NP while she was out. I was not expecting to run into this heart issue, thought it would just be getting the herceptin infusions, in and out quickly. I guess I could ask the NP about talking to an onc about it.
Kristy, my lymphedema is doing a lot better. It sounds like you have a very mild case, but be vigilant because it can turn into more. Mine really started out in the intermediate phase. I don't know why, I guess that is just how it happens sometimes. It is in my hand and lower arm. I am supposed to wear a sleeve and glove every day and wrap my arm in bandages every night. The PT says I will just keep going back to see him every six months now that it is stable, unless something comes up. Told me I should not think about it as forever, but just keep re-evaluating every six months. It's not the end of the world, but it's no fun either, and whatever you can do to protect yourself you should. You shouldn't carry your purse on that shoulder, no blood pressures or IV's in that arm, be careful with any kind of weight lifting or exercising, even bug bites or paper cuts. Your PT will be able to give you good info. I think you'll be good, I don't think it will get worse.
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My colonoscopy shows that I am a perfect b-hole. Well that's one more thing I can put behind me.
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Jules that is great!
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WooHoo! Good news Jules, very happy for you!
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Excellent Jules - hoping for the same result later today.
Kay - I am supposed to wear the sleeve every day, but no bandages at night. I still exercise which my therapist says is fine as long as I wear the sleeve. I mostly wear the one that looks like a full sleeve tattoo. I get really dissaproving looks from old ladies, with the short hair and the tat which looks really realistic. Much prefer that to the very kind "Are you OK dear" sort of looks. I was in a surgery waiting room the other day and an old guy was chatting to me. His wife gave him heaps - "I can't believe you are talking to that sort of person". If you have to wear medical garments at least they can be cool!.
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Haha! What a wicked old witch she must have been. My sleeve is custom made to my measurements. The PT tried to get me an off the shelf sleeve, but he didn't like the way they fit me. I think the problem is that my arms are short (my whole body is, I'm only 5'2). He ordered me one to sleep in too, so I won't have to wrap too much longer hopefully. I've seen the lymphedeva sleeves that look like a tattoo. They really do look like the real thing. And I agree with you, I'd rather have people look at me with disdain than pity. My onc actually looked like she was going to cry when I saw her and I had all the bandages on (that was before I got the sleeve). I told her it wasn't the end of the world, she didn't have to look so sad. She said she just felt so badly for me. It only made me feel worse though.
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My therapist was almost in tears talking to me about lymph prevention and exercises. She felt so bad that my surgeon was so dismissive of the possibility and now have it. She said she just thinks " what if this were my mother or sister?" she just feels like this is a mission for her. She is actually and occupational therapist.vshe is so nice. She had me tearing up- ha, like thats hard. But she has been great. I get my sleeve Friday. Luckily just for travel. Figured I probably had lymph when I saw my BS and RO last month. Neither recognized or even looked for it.
Tomorrow (Thursday) is my last day of school. Next week Florida!!0 -
Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy clear - so thats behind me
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Yay Penny
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Wonderful to hear great news from you, Jules and Penny! About time!
husker: the LE specialist I saw was also incredibly kind. Very validating of my feelings.
penny: I still have to get my measurements, but as soon as I do, I'm going to order a tattoo-looking sleeve!
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Penny yeah!!
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Happy Christmas to all you lovely ladies, 2012 is going to be a great year for us all. Eat drink and be merry!
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Penny Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas to all...yep we're all due an exceptionally wonderful 2012 !!!
Just did the online volunteer applications to the ACS and 4thangel organization...I kept thinking how wonderful it has been to have my online friends (March 2011 chemo lounge) and a college friend who has been through breast cancer...hoping to help someone else in 2012 !!!
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Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas to everyone!
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I hope everyone had a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND I HOPE U HAVE A HAPPY 2012 !!
(((hugs)))
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Merry Christmas and holiday greetings to my chemo-lounge gals!
I am debating about whether to go to bed for 2 hours or just stay up before we leave for the airport...so far looking like staying up! All packed, need to organize purse, find sunglasses, and then I think I'm ready! Five days in Florida with 2 daughters, 1 son-in-law, 1 son, and 1 husband! Our Christmas gift and my rejuvenation time, hopefully.
I wish all the best, for all of you being there for me and each other in some of our toughest times.
Kristy
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Oh, meant to include a Gracie Lu Christmas pic...
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Gracie Lu looks so festive! Congrats to all of us for getting through this year. As Tiny Tim famously said "God bless us everyone!"
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Penny and Jules so happy you are clear and have that over with. Penny do they have any odea why you had blood in your bowels then? Or is that nothing to worry about.
I am on a Rads break til tomorrow. They stopped my tx last week because my chest looked like someone had held a hot iron on it til it melted. I was doing really good then Bam it all fell apart. I never thought the Rads were what would bring me down. the fatigue has been un-nerving. I come home from work and nap for 2 hrs then shower and nap for 2 hrs then eat and nap for 2 hrs then go to bed. The energizer bunny I ain't. No Xmas baking or decorating happened at my house-just too tired. Good thing is they say it all comes around pretty fast after you stop. I have 3 days this week then i will be done.
I go today for my Herceptin and dr visit. I am going to see if he can predict what 2012 will be like for me. Original plan was to stay on herceptin til the cancer figures it out and starts growing again or it damages my heart. I have begun getting random nose bleeds after my last tx. He is not keen on me being on the Celebrex but it makes me able to walk and work so he will just have to deal. Knee pain caused by the Herceptin and it's not like I am going to stop that.
I hope everybody had a great holiday. Ours was about food and family not so much about the gifts. I am glad I made everybodys present back in the summer-we are all gardeners so i made hand carved dragon flys on stakes that really came out quite awesome. Saw them on garden tour and made my own version. It was my therapy during chemotherapy. They look realy cool stuck in among the flowers.
New Years resolution time ladies. Tops on my list is getting my body back in shape. I put a full length mirror in my bathroom and when I bent over to brush my teeth and loked sideways it scared me. It looks like i have 3 butts. There are the cheeks that sit on top of my real cheeks and then the set that is below the real ones. Downright scary!!
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Lily...cracking up at your three but comment! I hope you heal up so you can get the rads done. Keep us posted on what your herceptin treatment plan is.
Husker...Gracie is adorable!!0 -
Husker - Gracie is such a cutie, our goldie is 15, but still seems to enjoy life.
Yeah - my effort to lose weight has not been helped over the past few days, way too much food. I don't think I'd dare look in a full length mirror yet - very brave Lily. Hoping to lose another 20kg in 2012.
I hope the burns heal soon Lily, there is no sign of mine at all, after I stopped it got worse for a couple of days then healed quite quickly. I would carry on with the Celebrex - whatever it takes to manage it and stay on teh herceptin.
The colonoscopy report said I have mild diverticulitis so I guess thats why the blood report was positive. It also said "Excellent views were obtained in all areas". Sounds like a real estate brochure. Hilarious.
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Lilylady-So sorry your rads area is so burned. It sounds painful. I bet you are so relieved to be finished this week! Yay!
Penny-Glad your report was clear!
Tomorrow I am getting my TE"s out and getting the implants in. Not sure how I feel about it yet. It all seems so surreal.
Anyway, I know that a while ago on here someone (maybe Lilylady) had a link to a blog or a website that is professional pictures of women with breast cancer who have mastectomies, lumpectomies, TE's, and even implants. I want to send it to my friends, because I know they really have no idea what this looks like and it might make things more understandable for them. Anyone know what the site is?
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colodisneylover: I don't know the website, but good luck with the exchange. I was really surprised how much softer the silicone implant was than the saline TE. I'm sure you will be pleased with the result, and the recovery is pretty fast. I had exchange Friday and felt almost fine by Monday (and back to work).
As the end of the year approaches, I keep thinking about what else can I get done in the last few days before the new insurance deductible year begins! With all this treatment, I met my 'catastrophic' limit in February and haven't paid a dime since!
lilylady: sorry to hear about the skin issues with rads. It sounds like you are really being knocked back with the fatigue. I was amazed by how tired I was, too; I thought I would sail right through it, but that fatigue really lingered for a while. I'm with you on the 2012 resolution. I have been less than good over the last week and have probably packed on a couple of pounds (on top of what I already want to lose).
Husker: have a great time in Florida! Gracie is adorable.
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Hope everyone had a great Christmas and Happy 2012 to all of you.
Lilylady - Congrats on almost being done with rads. I'm sorry about your chest. Thank God you are almost done so your skin can start healing. When will you be done with herceptin? i have a treatment next week after that i have 4 or 5 more to go. I've bad knee pain also but for some reason my MO doesn't think it is related to the herceptin, even tho i didn't have the knee pain until i started the chemo and herceptin...go figure.... Your 3 butts comment is hilarious.
Penny - Glad results were clear.
Colodisneylover - Good luck with the exchange surgery..yes the silicone implant is a lot softer then the saline expander and they get softer and feel more natural with time.
One of my New Years resolution is to exercise more..i noticed i've gained almost 10 pounds since this cancer journey started, I can still wear my same clothes but they are a little snug and i refuse to buy more clothes.
(((Hugs to you all)))
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HI Ladies,
Hope we all survived the madness which is labeled "xmas" I can't stand the season myself. I admit I do enjoy the cooking and the family get together but all that gift, buying, stress I can do without.
Like Maria, it has been one year on Dec 23rd since my MX. That was the worse time in my entire 47 years. Looking back on it I shudder. On Dec 22nd 2011 I got my new implant. I'm very pleased with the outcome and also how easy the TE surgery was and the implant surgery. For the implant surgery I was only out for 35 minutes! I guess the first implant they tried worked.
As for the the lasting effects of chemo the only thing I find is I get terrible joint ache, I don't have to take anything for it ( so maybe terrible too strong a word) but if I don't exercise on a regular basis it does get worse. I worry, everyday, about the cancer coming back. My onco score was 27. I have to admit that reading on how well most of us are doing is very heartlifting.
That is my cancer life so far.
Lots of love to you all,
Trish
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Got my implants yesterday....a little sore today but mostly because he moved one over a little so they are a bit closer together. Feel stinky already since I can't shower until Sunday. Hoping everything turned out ok and can't wait to see how they look. Just so glad to have those TE's out!
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