Starting Chemo in Nov. 2011...anyone else?
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The surgeon biopsied both lumps. I will get the results on Tuesday.
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Beth, I am sorry you are having to go through the waiting to hear again. Especially with already having had masectomies on both sides, it seems like more cancer should not even be a possibility for you now. Try to keep yourself as busy as you can to pass the time until you get the results of the biopsies. Maybe go to a movie, bake something terribly fattening, clean out a closet, etc. You are in my prayers.
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Beth ~ Hoping and praying your biopsies are negative. As Bahamamom suggested...do something enjoyable to try and take the edge off this weekend. I know how difficult the waiting can be, but hope you can find a good and fun distraction. Will check to see how you are in a few days. Hugs to you!
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Beth,
wishes for a peaceful and anxiety free weekend and good news soon
Nel
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Beth, It's awful that you have to go through this yet again, hoping for good news.
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I have IDC again. They are dermal lymphatic and keep popping up. I met with the radiation oncologist yesterday. I see my oncologist today. I will know the treatment plan next Tuesday.
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bethu,
Sorry wish it was different news. Enough already! Gentle hugs
Best,
nel
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I am so sorry about your news. I hope that your new treatment plan will be as easy as possible for you. Please try to focus on taking care of yourself. I know you moved to NC for the weather, so try to enjoy the spring and summer months coming up and we are here for you. Vent when you need to.
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Beth, I am SO sorry to hear this. You will make it through this next challenge and we are all here for you. Q
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I will have a PET next week before I start treatment. My onc gave me several options- 1. Do nothing 2. Radiation 3. Radiation & chemotherapy (it would be in pill form) 4. Take off the layer of skin on my chest wall and do skin grafts. She said the grafts have the better cure rate because the cancer cells are in the skin. My cancer team will be discussing my case on Tuesday morning and I'll know more then. My husband and I have a lot to think about. I don't know what to do. I think I will be Scarlet O'Hara and think about it tomorrow. Thanks everyone. I will need to vent soon. You are the best friends!
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Beth, I'm so sorry. That's just awful. I wonder if a second opinion would help in your decision making. I don't know what cancer center you go to, but would it be possible to consult one of the bigger cancer research centers? Say MD Anderson, or cancer treatment centers of America? They may know of other therapies or have more experience with this kind of invasion. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this.
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I see the surgeon on Tuesday and get the stitches removed. I don't know what to do. I just want a peaceful life. After Tuesday, I'll be able to make a decision.
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Beth ~ So sorry to hear this news. It is unbelievable that you (or anyone else) has to go through this torture. I will be praying that will be at peace with whatever decision you make. Wish there was something we could do to make this situation easier for you. We are here to listen whenever you need us.
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Beth, When you figure out how to just have a peaceful life after cancer, let me know how. I certainly would like to know.
I have been worn down by everything lately and this morning, I awoke with the acute realization of what all that these cancers I have had for 27 years have taken from me. I worked all my younger years on a Ph.D., got it but then got cancer too. I couldn't keep up the work requirements of a faculty-- at 60 hours a week and constant research, no matter my passion for my work. I was in and out of bed for months at a times for 9 years. I get myself back up but still exhausted all the time, go back to school for a medical degree, get going on that life and bammmm, this cancer. Its been 2 1/2 years of this and I found out this week, that the prednisone I took with chemo 27 years ago is affectively killing my bones (avascular necrosis) and not only am I in pain but I look forward to a life of immobility, if I make it that far-- no horses, no hiking and still the exhaustion which takes away much of what pleasure there is in being with a very challenging (but good hearted) teenager.
My dreams for my life have been shattered almost completely and I will not fulfill my most primal goal in life-- to leave this world a better place than I found it. I have been on the verge of tears for the last 6 weeks as this has been unfolding. So Beth, I am with you right there and when someone finds the formula for a peaceful life, please please share it with me. Q
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Q - It saddens me to hear about your new health issue and the loss that it will mean to you as you continue on this journey. I admire your tenacity and persistence in going after your goals and applaud you for all that you have accomplished under some pretty difficult circumstances. Nothing about cancer is fair, and I am still learning that day by day as I share and learn from all of us on here.
As for your greatest goal, I know that you will leave this world a better place because so often you have helped me get through another day, another fear, another obstacle in my own life, and I am sure that your kind words and thoughtful advice have had that same effect on not just the other ladies on this board, but the others around your home and work as well.
I hope you and Beth both find peace soon.
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Dear Q - I hate this sadness that has struck you. You helped me with several things during my chemo. I am so sorry abut your diagnosis. I know I don't want to ride this roller coaster anymore but I will continue to go around. I hope all of us rise above this stupid cancer and the after effects of treatments. We did our part, followed the rules and deserve better. Hugs to you and everyone here!
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My team decide the best treatment is radiation and chemo. I will take Xeloda for chemo. I am okay with this. I didn't want to have surgery. I hope each of you are doing well. Spring feels like it has finally decided to stay.
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How are you doing Q? Are you feeling a little better? I wish I could write a prescription for you but I don't know what it would be. I don't have the get up and go like I want to have. I am anxious about treatment and the cost of treatment. Xeloda is very expensive. My radiation oncologist called today and I will go Tuesday to get my final marks and begin treatment on Tuesday. I see my oncologist on Wednesday to get the results of my PET scan. Trying to be upbeat but sometimes just sit and think. Everyone wants me to keep them upbeat and sometimes, I just don't have it in me.
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Beth-- I am working on just taking one day at a time-- I allowed myself to get out of the present and that takes me to the past and the future. So today is ok and so am I.
Q
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Hi ladies - sorry I've been MIA.
Beth and Q - I am so sorry you're going through this crap again. That seems like such an inadequate statement. I'm sorry for that too! Let me know if either of you needs any help with creative swearing. I'm your girl!
I started a road trip on March 22. Went from Nebraska to Houston, TX first, for 6-mo. scans at MD Anderson. All clear!
Tonight and tomorrow I'm in New Orleans. After that I will drive to Florida to visit a BCO friend. So far, so fun! I'll be back in NE the last week in April. I've never taken a road trip of this length by myself but I have to say that I'm having a wonderful time!
Phyllis
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Phyllis, good to hear from you and glad that all is well at present. Your trip sounds long but fun.
Beth, hoping you are having minimal side effects with your new chemo.
Q, wishing peace for you.
All, we just got back from visiting my mother (91) and some brothers and sisters. It was good to see them all. Starting today, my husband and I are babysitting our 2 year old grandson 2 days a week. It is fun but tiring.
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Beth - I hope your new treatments are easy on you. How many radiation sessions will you have? I'm so sorry you have to go through all this again. Hoping for few se's. Please don't feel you have to keep others upbeat. That's just too hard to keep up for very long. I know they love you and want to feel that you're keeping a "positive attitude" so they can feel better, and I know you want them to feel better, but it's not your fault that cancer keeps rearing it's ugly head and your emotions are definitely affected by it. You're bound to have down days or even down weeks. I know I still do and I haven't faced a recurrence. We all deeply care about you and want you to feel this is the place to come to be yourself and "let it all hang out" as the saying goes.
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Quaatsi, I'm very saddened by your news about your new malady because of cancer. Steroids are (unfortunately) a necessary evil. But evil they are. I sometimes think we're all just a part of some diabolical science experiment. But I know this is the only way at present to fight cancer. You've always been so active and to face a future immobile is unthinkable. As far as leaving this world a better place I feel you've been successful. It may not be the whole world, but you've definitely made my world a better place. I think of you often and the strength you've exhibited throughout your life, facing this horrid disease. This has given me strength to go on. Please know you have affected so many of us positively.
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Phyllis, I always knew you were courageous, but this takes the cake. Wow! I hope you continue to have fun on your trip and please be safe. Do you have family in New Orleans? A wonderful way to make each day count.
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Grandma, no family here but it's a nice stop a.long the way. Breakfast this morning at Cafe DuMonde. Cafe au lait and beignets with live music on the side. Fun!
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oh geez. NOW you are forcing me to respond-- beignets? I mean really -- you are teasing us with one of the most amazing sweets. And of course, the atmosphere... I make beignets with coconut oil-- good.
After my first cancer and chemo I took off for a month with my dog, Quaatsi ( which, appropriately means "companion") camping alone seeing archaeological ruins I had not ever seen and desperately wanted to. It was fun alone but- I like it better with others. So good luck, have fun and have a beignet for me. Q
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Ooooh, beignets. Never had them, so googled and they look delicious.
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beignets are wonderful with the chicory coffee... great stop on your road trip!
bethu and Quaatsi, be well and know that we are all here to support you, vent scream laugh, whatever you need!
Nel
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Congrats to you Phyllis! That sounds fun and exciting. I love road trips! Be safe and enjoy! Never had a beignet but anything with coffee sounds great.
I have 33 days of radiation with two treatments each day so 66 treatments. Six down 60 to go! I haven't received the Xeloda yet. I was told it comes from a special pharmacy. I hope it doesn't have side effects. Is this asking too much?
Watching grandbabies is very tiring Grandma V! They are fun but I know I am not used to being on guard for 8 hours or more per day. How did we do it when we were raising our own?
It's beginning to look like spring here. Lovin' this weather!
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bethie! I wrote a long beautiful post to you and lost it. Sorry. Now you just get the down and dirty version.
The beignets were GREAT! I gained 7 pound in New Orleans alone. They will be my favorite pounds! I'm sure they will be with me for a long time.
Just want to let you know that I also took Xeloda (Zelda). Let me know if you would like to talk about it, have questions or just generally want to bitch about it. For me it wasn't bad! I hated the Evil Ixempra a lot more.
There is a Xeloda thread here on BCO with a lot of info on possible side effects. I had very few of them.
ALSO! ALERT, ALERT! INFO COMING - Ha ha, I had too much coffee this morning. But Really - Be sure that the special pharmacy talks to you about "financial help",. What they mean is the Genentech, the manufacturer, will help with the cost of the drug. They picked up a huge part of my co-pays for the drug. There is info about it on their website. You can Google "Xeloda" to get to the website. Anyway the pharmacy or your MO's office should be able to help you. If not, go to the website.
Let me know if I can help!
Phyllis
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