Starting Chemo in Nov. 2011...anyone else?
Comments
-
Hope someone reads this because I just had to share...my last Herceptin infusion happened today! I am happy and nervous (you all know about the feeling that there is no more active treatment) at the same time! Wishing you all every happiness and I know that I am grateful for all the support you have given me this past year. I truly am thankful this Thanksgiving weekend! Hugs to all...Linda
0 -
Yeah, Linda! I know you are excited. Let's hope for all of us that this "end of the active treatment" really is the end of all of our cancer worries. My husband and I got our pictures taken last night at a new studio near us. I am very happy about my looks in the pictures. No one would suspect that I had headed off for my first chemo treatment exactly one year ago. Although I have never had my hair this short, it does actually look like a hairdo, not just my hair trying to grow out some, and my face is no longer swollen, red, anything...I have eyebrows and eyelashes, no sign of illness at all. Those pictures give me hope and remind me how much I have to be thankful for.
0 -
linnyhopp-congratulations on your last treatment! I know how it feels to be done and that made me nervous too. Time to live and enjoy! Sooo happy for you! I am celebrating that it was a year ago that I started chemo....feels so good to be done....4 surgeries...5 months of chemo...5 1/2 weeks of radiation...done,done and more done. A great time of year to celebrate for sure!
0 -
Bahamamom & Bonseye ~ Thanks so much for your kind words and good wishes. It seems surreal that the surgery, chemo, radiation and herceptin are actually over. It was a great Thanksgiving and the food tasted a million times better...not metal can taste! I am going to give moving on with my life a great try. My husband and I have booked a Mediterranean cruise for next May. Now I just have to convince my boss that I need the time off! I almost feel guilty after being gone almost all of last school year, but what the heck, living our lives is the most important thing now, don't you think?
Bahamamom ~ I bet your pictures are beautiful. My hair is wild and crazy. It sticks out in all directions. I am hoping that now that the herceptin is finished it will grow faster. I can't get it to lie down. I look like I have stuck my finger in an electric socket...yikes! Glad your hair looks like a style you intended to have and that you feel good about looking healthy again. We all need to hold on to hope...that's what this past year's tortures have been about...to get us healthy!
Bonseye ~ You are so right on with saying it's time to live and enjoy. I am going to try and ignore that "something" that might be right behind my shoulder. It's wonderful to look back and see that we were strong enough to make it through everything that was necessary and be able to celebrate our victories! While all of my family and friends are thrilled that I am finished with active treatment, I think only we, who have been through it all, can truly appreciate the sense of sisterhood we share with our fellow BC survivors, especially the ones here. And yes, it will be a wonderful season to celebrate!
To all...take care and we should all check in periodically on this board. I for one, love hearing what all our November 2011 group are up to now. Hugs...Linda
0 -
Linda - Congratulations! It feels good to be done with herceptin, doesn't it. This time last year I couldn't even imagine getting through a year of treatments. Hooray for us all.
0 -
GrandmaV ~ Thanks for the good wishes. Yes it feels great to be finished, but I feel a bit like a fish out of water with no active treatment scheduled. I hope I can get past the anxiety I feel about now just taking the anastrozole. Of course, today I have a pain on my right side (upper quadrant) and my mind is going to places I don't want to be! I see my onc on Thursday so if I still have the feeling, I will whine about it to him. And you are so right on about the way we felt last year. I remember saying that I couldn't do another chemo and here I am done with the 6 chemos, the radiation, and now the Herceptin! Hoping and praying none of us ever have to go through the experiences of the past year again! The only thing I miss about it is the fellowship our group shared on a daily basis. But, I think it's great that we are thinking about where our lives are now and not feeling like dog poop on a daily basis! Take care and hope to keep in touch here. Hugs...Linda
0 -
Hello Everyone!!! It's been a long time for me to catch up with everyone. Last year I posted and read everday and sometimes several times a day. While I do miss each of you, I am so happy to be able to get out and do things this year. I forgot to take my Claritin yesterday and I am not walking so well today. So much joint pain! I really didn't think Claritin would work but it does work for me.
When I tell my new friends in NC what I have been through, they cannot believe it. They say I look so healthy and happy! Last year at this time, I didn't think I would ever feel better. I have my good days and bad days but for the most part, they are so good. I get depressed and anxious but I think this comes from moving to another state away from all my family and friends.
I am praying for good days to all you too. We have been through a lot together and I still count each of you as my friend.
Oh and I still HATE Arimidex!!!!
0 -
Just had to write this...I had my first mammo since my diagnosis and I got the "letter" yesterday (after almost 2 weeks had passed) saying there was no evidence of any cancer! Whooppee! Hope the chemo caught any stragglers. Wishing you all good news when you need it! Hugs, Linda
0 -
Hugs back Linda. Onward to another year.
0 -
Linnyhopp-Happy Holidays! What a great gift! Soo very happy for you!
0 -
Linda, that's wonderful news. I hope we all stay that way.
0 -
Linda,
Congratulations! I have mine on Friday - and see my surgeon right after-so hope I have results same day
Be well
Nel
0 -
Thanks for all the great wishes. This Christmas/holiday season is certainly looking much better than last year for all of us. I saw my MO and he said I don't have to have another appointment for 6 months. I will have an MRI and then see him shortly after that to discuss results, etc. It does feel weird to be "cut loose" with nothing but the anastrozole as a weapon. When I mentioned this at the appointment, the MO said that I had been to hell and back with all the treatments and that everything they could throw at the "beast" was done. It was nice to hear that because at times, during treatment, I felt that I was a wimp. Having what we have all been through validated by a doctor made me feel better. Hoping all of you are well and happy and getting ready to actually taste the foods of the season and enjoy them this year! I think of all of you often and feel so blessed to have had all of you help me in my unwelcome, but necessary journey. Wishing you all a wonderful rest of the year and more importantly a HEALTHY, HAPPY, NEW YEAR!!! Much love to all of you. Linda
0 -
Happy Holidays and a peaceful New Year to all. We have come so far from last year.
Be well
Nel
0 -
So much to celebrate this holiday season. My husband said that his best Christmas present was me being so much better than I was last year at this time. Also my 2 daughters gave me this pink heart-shaped ornament that had the pink ribbon on it and said, "I wear pink for my mom" and was labeled survivor and 2012 on it. The food tasted so good, giving my 11 month old grandson his first rocking horse was great, and we are traveling to see my 90 year old mother at the end of this week. I am so grateful for all of you too. As we celebrate the ending of this year and mark our first year of being cancer free, I am reminded of the gift that life is and hope that we all "live happily every after". I hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
0 -
Nel, Bahamamom and all the other wonderful women on this thread ~ Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I know it has been so much brighter than last year. I think all of us have the perspective of things being so different from the experiences we have shared this past year and I feel I truly have much more gratefulness in my heart for all that we are blessed with. Most of all I feel blessed for family and friends who have supported me so fully and without any hesitation.
Bahamamom ~ Love the ornament your daughters gave you. My brother gave me a super cute hang up that says I kicked breast cancer's butt! I truly feel that so many of my personal relationships have become stronger in this journey. I guess we all know who is truly "there" for us and I am grateful for that knowledge. My husband, like yours, said this holiday season was so much better than last year. I think sometimes we don't realize how hard this whole deal has been for those closest to us. I am grateful for having a man who did all he could to help me through all that took place in this unwanted journey.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year filled with much happiness and many blessings. Hoping we continue to check in and share all the wonderful moments in our lives. Hugs to all...Linda
0 -
Merry Belated Christmas to everyone I have been missing.....yet another trip to the hospital. I was four days with a strep infection from my rt elbow....up my arm and into my chest. Came 8 days after tatoo....I get all the wierd stuff. I am happy to say I made it to Florida to see my Mom after 15 months.....it really was a rough few weeks full of tears. I just want some smooth sailing. My husband too is celebrating that I am here and I am my families present this year. What a wonderful man I married.....what a journey we have had....I know that we will enjoy every day like it's our last....we so appreciate the little things.....Many blessings to you all as we enjoy this new year full of health and love
0 -
Bahamamom and Linda, Your posts were very uplifting and beautiful, thank you.
Bonseye, I too have been fighting an infection. I'm on my 4th round of antibiotics and hopefully will be the last. I didn't have to go to the hospital, though. My nails are splitting and I got infection in my left big toe. It is Mrsa. I asked where they think I might have gotten it and the nurse said if I had been around any health care facilities I probably picked it up there. I just laughed and said I've been to 6 different heath care facilities the last few months. Apparently you can pick it up from the floor onto your shoes, or from blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, echo cardiogram wands. My husband and I feel it was probably the cancer center, because I usually took off my shoes to relax in the recliner, but to put shoes back on I would put feet on the floor in my socks. My last herceptin was November about the same time my toe started bothering me. Fortunately, it didn't spread to any other split nails (thanks taxotere) or to my incision from the port removal. I hope you'll recover quickly and soon this bump in the road will be a distant memory.
0 -
Bonseye & Grandma V ~ I am so sorry to hear that you are both fighting such nasty things.
Bonseye ~ Quite a few years ago I had a strep infection that affected my joints. I couldn't get shoes on and had lots of pain everywhere. It was definitely not a fun experience, but having gone through so much in the past year it had to be so much more difficult. I am glad you are out of the hospital and especially happy to hear you got to visit your mother. I truly hope you are finished with all the "bumps in the road" and continue to be the best Christmas present your husband has ever had.
GrandmaV ~ Mersa...yuck! My MIL had it after a stay in the hospital and a rehab facility. What happened to you could happen to any of us. I remember taking off my shoes during chemo and heaven knows we have had so many places for exposure. I think I will count my blessings that I haven't had to deal with it myself. I hope it clears up quickly and you feel better. My nails are pretty trashed from all the treatments. It's amazing that I never lost any and I am especially happy my toe nails are not affected. I had a good chuckle at reading that the nurse asked you if you had been in any health facilities. Wow, we could all write our own book on those trips!
I hope you both have a very, very HEALTHY & HAPPY NEW YEAR! I will keep checking our thread to keep in touch with whoever checks in. I feel like I know you guys even though we haven't met in person. Take care and I look forward to hearing good stuff from everyone in 2013! I wish the very same for everyone here and hope more of our group will continue to check in and share what is going on in their lives.
Much love & many hugs...Linda
0 -
I had my one year mammogram on my birthday, September 24th. The way the radiologist explained it was that everything looked "as expected" after having gone through rads, etc. She said that I would come back in 6 months (April) and that by then everything should be back to normal. I didn't know until I got the letter just as I was leaving that she actually classified it as "probably benign". That freaked me out, but I wasn't too worried because of what she had said about things looking like you would expect them to look. However, I have tried looking online to see if I could find others in this boat or more info and I haven't been able to find much of anything. So as the time wears on, I am getting more worried. All of your reports on here have said that the mammograms were clear, but I am wondering if anyone had a category 3-probably benign as I did and considered that clear or normal. Please share your thoughts on this.
0 -
bahamamom, I got my report out and this is what mine said;
"Postoperative and radiation changes with moderate ductal ectasia. Ultrasound confirms no evidence of solid lesions. Bi-Rads Category 2: Benign findings."
I also got a letter which stated, "No evidence of cancer".
My mammo was done in August, and the BS told me I didn't need another one for a year. But I'm thinking of asking for one in February just to put my mind at ease.
Has your Breast surgeon seen the images and report? That would give you a second opinion about it.
Also, I found this helpful:
0 -
Thanks, Grandma. That article was helpful. Also your report sounded similar to mine, only yours had more details. Mine just said probably benign, follow-up in 6 months recommended. The similarity between ours makes me feel better. What my radiologist said made sense to me and sounded okay until I got to wondering wouldn't all of our breasts show changes due to the surgeries, new scars, and rads and no one had mentioned any of that. Then I got a little worried. I called yesterdy and made an appointment for the 7 month follow-up at the end of March. Hopefully, the time will fly by for me, and I have already decided that if there is any change at all in the new one, I am going to push for something more-ultrasound, biopsy, something. I wonder if we will ever get to the point where we don't worry about this so much. I haven't seen the surgeon since he took out my port. I didn't think of seeing him over the new mammogram. Part of me feels like that since they were on top of things so quickly before, they will surely catch any new development, and part of me has just resigned itself to being a worrier. Thanks for your help and information.
0 -
Bahamamom, I'm glad you feel better about it. The fact they wanted to follow up in 6 months sounds like they are on top of things. They're just being thorough. I agree with you that I don't think we'll ever stop worrying about this. In a way I hope I continue to keep my guard up, because the first diagnosis was so traumatizing that I don't ever want to be shocked like that again. I had lunch with a friend of 20 years that I hadn't seen in a couple of years. She moved to Kansas City about 15 years ago and comes back for a visit now and again. She told me something that floored me. She never told me she'd had breast cancer. She said she had a mastectomy and nothing else. That was 27 years ago. She never had a recurrence. She's 88 years old and still going strong. It was so good to hear some good news like that.
0 -
Bahamamom ~ Can see why that comment makes you nervous. I think I would have reacted the same way. I actually only got the letter saying there was no evidence of cancer. Maybe I should ask for the radiologist's report. Or maybe ignorance is bliss? I am going to have an MRI in May or June and to be honest I am so glad my radiology onc recommended it in her report because now I won't have to fight for it as this was the only test that showed what was actually going on. I think after we were blind-sided when we were diagnosed, we are naturally going to be skeptical when told things appear "normal." I hope we can all just live our lives and try not to let gloom and doom hang over us.
GrandmaV ~ So glad to hear the story about your friend. I am glad treatments have progressed over the years. However, sometimes having more knowledge (which is what we all want) is scary.
To you both ~ Glad we are keeping in touch this way. I would love to know how others are doing, I am hoping and praying that all of us can enjoy health and happiness for a long. long time! XOXO
0 -
Is anyone having success with keeping weight down or losing weight after all you have been through? I know I am eating more, but I can't seem to eat less. I have always been heavier than I wanted to be, but I could usually lose a few pounds whenever I wanted to. But other than the 8 pounds I lost each first week after chemo, then regained by the time of the next cycle, I can't seem to stop gaining weight. I do take arimidex, which I am sure is not helping, and I also walk several days a week. I don't want to take any kind of weight loss pill or diet supplement, etc., because I am keenly aware now that anything I take may cause cancer or other bad health issue on down the road. I guess the answer is just move more, eat less, but now I feel like I deserve to be treated whenever I want. And for me that means eating out, so I do eat out a lot. And even though I tell myself I will order a big salad with grilled chicken or other light meal, when I actually order, I give in and get something more fattening. I am not sure why I do this. I think it is either that I am so happy to be here after all I have endured this last year or maybe I actually feel a little sorry for myself, but whatever the reason, I just wind up opting to treat myself. I would love to hear any ideas or suggestions.
0 -
bahamamom, I'm in the same boat. I have gained 25 pounds since starting femara last April. My cravings have changed. I used to crave salty crunchy things, now I crave sweets. Not just a 'wish I had something sweet' kind of craving, but feeling like I'm going to die if I don't get something sweet. I start sweating, feeling shaky and weak. My daughter is diabetic and that's what she thinks I've developed. I haven't been walking the last 2 1/2 months so I know that's part of the weight gain. With having the infected toe and torn meniscus in my right knee I've had to keep my legs elevated. Now that I'm better just going downstairs to do a load of wash is a major journey. I've really just started to try to loose (couple weeks) and it is nearly impossible. I loose 2 and gain 3. I talked to my onco about it and he said that the aromatase inhibitors do make it hard to loose weight, but it's not impossible. But had no real help or ideas. I was suppose to start water aerobics last November, but had to put it off due to the infection. Now that the flu is so bad, I'm thinking of waiting til spring. It's like I'm living in someone else's body. I don't know my limitations and have no stamina. I'm sorry I have no suggestions or ideas except to tell you you're not alone. I have a feeling it's going to entail a lot of hard work at the gym and I'm just not looking forward to that at all. I think I'll go eat another donut.
0 -
bahamamom,
I am with you and Grandma as well. I kind of ate what I wanted going thru treatment and still am doing that to some degree. TRYING to eat better, it is so hard. Just had to size up in pants when I wnet shopping. UGH. I think part of why I eat what I want is the life is too short philosophy I have taken on after the DX. I am back to excercising, but probably need to do more. I was exhausted around the holidays and didnt excercise at all, that with all the eating we do. We are all in this together, I am planning on a long life so I guess I better statrt moving, don't want to be stuck on the couch.
I do zumba, it is fun and good for range of motion stuff. Will have to go and work twice as hard this week, my son just made the best french toast for breakfast!
Maybe we could come up with some sort of check in with each other. No ideas but a thought!
Be well,
Nel
0 -
Hello all. I had surgery on my knee on 12/28. I had a meniscus tear. I am not supposed to exercise or overdo it for a while. I have a lot of swelling. I was walking a lot and woke up in pain. I am on the healing side now and can't wait to get active again.
Now I need to share my fears. My aunt was diagnosed with BC. Three cousins and I had our surgeries at the same time in 2011. We also have another cousin with BC. Three of us have had recurrences. I am afraid of getting diagnosed again. I heard of another person who has been diagnosed for the 3rd time. How do you keep these thoughts away? Sometimes I am okay but there are days when it hits me so hard and I am so afraid. I have had bilateral mastectomies so I don't have mammograms and my new oncologist cancelled our last appointment. I don't see her again until March.
I am sorry I haven't kept up on everything that is going on with all of you. I wish all of you the best. I may need to start from the beginning to see how far I have come.
0 -
Grandma & Nell - I think checking in with each other on our exercise/weight is an excellent idea. I have tried to get started on other discussion boards that are probably more appropriate for my current condition, but I just feel as though I am an outsider there. So although this topic may not apply to everyone, we could really encourage each other as we try to get more fit. I know it is bound to be more difficult for you, Grandma, with your hurt toe and torn miniscus in your knee, because it is difficult enough for me to talk myself into doing any type of exercise. I will say, though, that I had my first LIVESTRONG class last night. A personal trainer took some measurements, bp, weight, etc., then put me on 3 different machines and had me do 30 minutes on a treadmill. I have to say that I did feel good after it was over, like I had accomplished something. And Grandma, I did have issues with my blood sugar after chemo. I had all those yearly tests done a few months ago, and my average sugar level was high enough to be considered diabetic. But when I had it retaken 2 months later, it was within normal range again, not even "at risk" level. I think you took herceptin for a lot longer than I had just the taxotere and cytoxin, so maybe that is still messing with your sugar levels. I would have it checked if I were you, but don't worry too much if it is high because it may just be temporary, like mine was.
Beth - I feel bad and really have no advice for you as I think we all worry about a recurrence. As I remember it, in your case, this last BC was a recurrence, so I know your worries are bound to be moreso than ours. I can't remember the exact details, but I can see (by your stats) that you already had radiation and surgery 3 years prior. I think a lot about how I would react and what I would say/do if/when I have a recurrence or even a questionable mammogram or any symptom of pretty much anything from now on. I have to say I always thought you were very brave in your fight against BC and commend you for your help and support on the board. You are also recently relocated too, aren't you? Unfortunately, it may be hard to keep in touch with old friends you are comfortable discussing your health with if they are distant now. I am very hopeful for you that this time, you kicked BC's butt!
0 -
Beth, With your family history, I can see how difficult it would be to keep recurrence off of your mind. Like bahamamom, I have them too. I heard an illustration that helps some with those dark thoughts. "It's one thing to let a bird land on your head, but quite another thing to let it make a nest". It's inevitable that those thoughts will come to mind, but we can shew it away and not let it make a home there. So we need something to distract us from those thoughts when they first appear and try not to dwell on them. I know for myself, I can get all worked up over something that hasn't happened yet. For me it has been research into alternative medicine and implementing the things that have some science behind them and that I can afford. Whether they help me or not, it makes me feel I'm doing something to prevent recurrence.
Nel has a great idea about checking in with each other. I found you all to be such a source of comfort and encouragement during chemo that it makes sense it could work for getting into shape and loosing weight.
Bahamamom, 30 minutes on a treadmill! To me that sounds monumental. I doubt I could do 5 minutes right now. I did get out and walk yesterday, but only walked 2 blocks and then had to sit down on the curb because my knee and back were beginning to hurt. It was quite hilarious trying to get back up off that curb. I had my dog with me and about the time I was just about up, he would pull the leash and back down I went. I got to laughing so hard and hoping nobody was watching or a surveillance camera wasn't trained on me. I don't think I'd like that to be on utube. I know I've got to loose weight, because it can reduce the chance of recurrence, but it is not going to be easy. I feel like an old, old woman and I'm only an old woman. (58).
Linda, how are you?
Bonseye, would like to hear from you again, too. and any of our other chemo pals.
0
