Starting Chemo in Nov. 2011...anyone else?
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Went to court today for divorce. Judge would not approve the agreement, did not like some of the wording in the mediated agreement. Told us to go back and get a real estate attorney and rewrite that section. So I can't even get divorced - you have go to be kidding me. Now will need to refile, wait several months for a court date and go back. We went out to breakfast and just laughed. Nothing is ever simple!
Be well
Nel0 -
Today was mostly sleet with a little snow mixed in. Both of my daughters are off work tomorrow, so I am looking forward to shopping and having lunch with them Wednesday before the big Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. We never get to really talk on the actual Thanksgiving day because of all the people, fuss, and food prep, etc., so I am glad we have that day to take our time and spend together at our favorite Mexican restaurant. They are both teachers, and I was for 30 years, so we have so much in common and have great conversations. My oncologist's office called and scheduled my check up for the end of January. It was supposed to be next week, and I was planning to ask questions about some back pain that I have been having. It isn't bad, probably nothing, and I don't want to demand they see me as scheduled, but I am not happy about bumping the appointment 6 or 7 weeks that way either. Nel, I am glad you have a good attitude. It is serving you well with the divorce as well as your health. I have never heard of a judge not liking the agreement that the parties already hashed out together, but maybe it will save your problems later on down the line if you do make the language more clear as he is asking. I hope all of you have a very happy Thanksgiving with your families.0 -
Nel-- great sense of humor! It helps to laugh at the absurdity of life and you got it down girl!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.
It was one year ago that I was in the hospital with severe pneumonia and a hospital induced infection. I was there for two weeks and after begging them, they let me out the tuesday night before thanksgiving day-- to a house full of family. It was great. This year will be quiet-- only the three of us. My husband is very quiet so it is kinda lonely at times. But my son is full of life. We sit and laugh at my silliness. I grew up in a large family so I told my son he had to have lots of kids (I wanted more but after lymphoma, couldn't have children) so we would have a full house.
We are planning to go look at land about 4 hours from here. I don't really want to move since I have friends here and a home I love but our medical bills made us realize that maybe going into retirement with a mortgage on our house might not be the best thing. So, after designing and building this house, we are looking to do it again. This time we will build it of straw not of dirt…no joke here!
OK weather-- now I am not going to make you all feel bad but it is COLD here-- like 50s with the sun shining and lows in the 30s… no snow although we do get a dusting once every three or four years….
Happy Turkey Day--eat drink (not too much) and be merry!
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Nel, that seems crazy. To bad you can't have a ceremony for a divorce like you do for a wedding and say "I undo".
Quaatsi - Look out for the big bad wolf. Hey, your winter is rough.
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Grandma - I do undo, apparently just the judge does not. Spoke to our mediator yesterday - she has only had this happen once before in her 30 years. She is on it and it will happen. She thinks she may send an attorney with us when we have to go back. Just got to keep laughing
Happy Thanksgiving to all. I wish everyone the a holiday of peace and comfort, and a few laughs
Be well
Nel0 -
Nel, why oh why? At least you can laugh about it!
Q-it's a tough decision to make. We too have a mortgage now and a diagnosis too. Decisions to make.
Everyone take care and be blessed. I hope each of you had a great Thanksgiving day. My youngest daughter and her husband are spending the week with us so we have family here.0 -
Just wanted to say I am hoping all of you have had a very Happy Thanksgiving! I am grateful for so many things and all of you are at the top of the list. There is no way I can express what your support and humor have meant to me.
As for weather, San Diego has had a beautiful week. If it ever snows here, I am not leaving my house because people are maniacs in the rain and I can't imagine it around here with snow! Having grown up in Chicago, I can add the beautiful climate to my list of things I am grateful for! Hope all of you are keeping warm and cozy. Have a great rest of the holiday weekend.! Hugs...Linda0 -
Hoping you have all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed the company of your loved ones. We had a great day, too much food, but I guess that is the name of the game. We had 5 kids and a newborn baby, so it was fun to see them all enjoying their cousins and even better to hold the newest member of our family. At one point I said that I would pray to have 5% of the energy those kids have, and I meant it! I just wanted to say that all of you are a blessing in my life and I am grateful for my "BC family."
Nel ~ I can't believe that you couldn't get things settled in court, especially since you had worked out a settlement. What is with that, anyway? I hope you won't have to wait too long to get things resolved legally. You are right, you just have to laugh at the absurdity of the situation and move on.
Bahamamom ~ I will keep my fingers crossed that your doctor's office will fit you in sooner than 6 or 7 weeks. It's so hard to wait when you need to have questions answered. I find this disease is like a roller coaster ride that I never signed up for!
Quaatsi ~ So happy you are healthy this Thanksgiving. I am hoping your search for a new home will go well. It must be hard to move when you love where you are, but as we are getting closer and closer to retirement, I can understand that a move will probably make life easier.
Beth ~ Hope the answers for the decisions you face become clearer to you very soon.
As for the weather in the San Diego area...it has been really beautiful here. After growing up in Chicago, I am grateful today and every day not to have to shovel snow! I hope you are all having a warm and cozy holiday weekend. Hugs...Linda0 -
Hi everyone, my cold turned into a sinus infection and then into a flu like virus. Was tested for flu and it's not the flu. I feel better, have my voice back, but the coughing keeps me up at night. My daughter brought over turkey and all the trimmings and it was really good. I've just been eating at my leisure, hoping I don't gain back any weight. She made pecan pie and pumpkin pie, yum. The weather has been wonderful this weekend. Hope everyone stays well.
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Hi Grandma ~ Sorry to hear you are not feeling well, but glad it's not the flu on top of a cold. I am glad your daughter brought over Thanksgiving goodies...especially the pies! We had a nice Thanksgiving and now it's on to Christmas really quickly. I won't even get into my diet for last week. I sure didn't watch what went into my mouth...now I have to double up my efforts to be better through the next round of holidays. We have had great weather here. It was 80 degrees yesterday! However, the cold and rain are supposed to arrive this week. That should make it feel more like the Christmas season. Take care and hope you are feeling better by the time you read this.
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It sounds like everyone had a festive holiday and got to spend time with family. I am sure we all ate too much (I know I did!), but I read some tips on web med about what to do after eating too much. I found one of them really helpful. It said that most people eat about 2,000 extra calories on thanksgiving day, and it takes 3,500 calories to make a pound. So it said not to weigh right away because the extra salt racks up 2-3 pounds of temporary gain the next day when you face the scales. For me, I kept up with my exercising and waited until this morning to weigh, and it was only 1/2 pound gain. That is a lot easier to deal with. Grandma-I hope you are feeling way better by now. Don't you love it when our children step up and fill in the gaps when we are too ill to do all the things we normally would. I remember last year being so thankful that the Christmas season was so much more fun and hopeful for all of us than the year before 's holidays had been. We really were smack in the middle of chemo, dragging from couch to bathroom and wishing we could eat something that would taste like it was supposed to. I recall being pretty oblivious to much of what was going on around me then and being overwhelmed with it all. Things are much better now, and I am so thankful for my health, my family, and you ladies on our board. I think of you all individually and collectively every single day and know that I would not be as sane or as supported without you. God bless you all.0 -
Our youngest daughter & her husband came down for Thanksgiving. She loves to make truffles and I have found that I love to eat them. I went to Zumba this morning. On Thanksgiving morning a few of us ran/walked in the turkey trot. I walked 2 miles! My husband & I got bikes for Christmas. I rode mine today for the first time. I haven't ridden in years! This should be fun.
I see my onc on Wednesday for the test results. Right now and for the next few days, I can pretend that I don't have BC again. It will become real that morning. I will keep everyone updated.0 -
Beth-I am hoping for a treatment plan for you this time that is quick, free of bad side effects, and super-effective! I also hope you can keep riding your bike. That sounds like a fun way to get some exercise.0 -
Happy Day, Happy Day! My scans are clear!!! My surgeon thinks he can get clear margins without bothering my implants and I am not worried about those! My onc doesn't think I will need chemo or radiation. She may want to use an estrogen blocker because this cancer is a recurrence of my first cancer and is ER+. She knows how I feel about arimidex and will research other drugs. What a relief to get this news.0 -
Beth ~ What wonderful news! I am so happy about your scan results. I will keep positive thoughts that you won't need any further treatment. I have been on anastrozole for about a year and a half. I haven't noticed many side effects (except for intense hot flashes), but definitely don't like the idea of what it may cause with my bones in the future. I hope you can get a different drug that you will be comfortable taking each day. If you don't mind, would you please share the results of your meeting regarding the drugs and what you will be taking. I always love getting opinions on here that I can debate with my MO if there is another drug that might be better. That is if he isn't in a closed minded mood the day of my appointment. I wish I could get as motivated to walk, run, ride as you are. I am trying, but my progress sometimes gets sidetracked by other activities like shopping!
Bahamamom ~ I loved what you wrote about our state of being 2 years ago. It is so true. When I think of that Thanksgiving and Christmas it seems like we were in another world. I am so very grateful that my life is so much better now, and thank God for every day that is good. In spite of all the negative aspects of the disease and the fear of its return, I am now much more appreciative of my blessings of family, friends, and my Nov. 2011 buddies.
Love & hugs to all!
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YAY Beth!!! wonderful news-- I am sure everyone here is dancing the joy dance!
There is a new drug out called bazedoxifene--check it out--no hot flashes etc. Might still be in early stages of use but? Q0 -
I'm so happy for you, too, Beth! I got chills when I read your post. I've been taking Femara for 1 1/2 years and now have very little side effects. I did at first though. The 6 to 9 month period I had major joint pain, but it started to decline and now have very little. I think my body adjusted to it. At first I had major hot flashes, but they've even leveled out. I do take supplements to counter the side effects and who knows maybe they helped too. I hope your onc is right and no chemo or radiation.
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Thanks for the info, Quaatsi...I am going to check it out. My doctor can be pretty stubborn about making changes, but is at least willing to listen to my many, many questions about drugs, etc.
Grandma ~ Is femera the only drug you have taken, or did you start with something else?0 -
Great news, Beth! Let us know when your surgery will be so that we can be routing for you that day too! I am especially glad that you won't have to have more chemo and radiation.0 -
Linda, Yes, femara is the only one I've been on. I asked to switch (about 8 months in) and onc. said to give it a couple more months, that some times the side effects diminish over time and he was right. So I'm glad I stayed with it. I actually am on the generic femara letrozole.
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Grandma ~ I really wonder how the oncologists decide the drug(s) we take after chemo. I guess that's another question to ask when I go in January. I have a mammogram scheduled for next Thursday and I am hoping it comes back the way it should.
Beth ~ Like Bahamamom said...keep us posted.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
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Linda, I asked my onc about that and he said that there was no significant difference between the different drugs. He had more experience with femara and most women could tolerate it. So I get from that, it's what ever the onc prefers. I hope your mammo is clear Thursday.
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Beth - what good news and please keep us posted.
I am finished with the 3 holiday parties the organization I work for hosts. Much fun but 3 parties can ruin anyone's holiday spirit! Now I can think about my family holidays and moving on Thursday. I am lurking alot these days, but not much time to post. By next weekend I am hoping this will have calmed down, moved and surrounded by boxes has got to be easier than trying to get teens to pack!
Hope everyone has a peaceful week
Best,
Nel0 -
Grandma ~ Thanks for letting me know that the drug we are prescribed seem to be our MO's preference. I seem to be doing OK on the anastrozole. I do have some joint pain, but my doctor says it isn't the kind caused from medication. I suppose it could be from old age!
Nel ~ You are a trooper. I only have a couple of events, and they are with friends, I can't imagine having to be "on" for company business at a holiday party. I hope your move goes well and you get settled quickly. Also hoping the "teens" get there stuff ready to go and you won't have to nag them...LOL! I am sure it will definitely be much better unpacking in your new home, especially during such a hectic season. Best of luck with the move!0 -
linnyhopp - thank you. and yes my ability to be "on" is kind of over for the holiday season!
On another note, I met a man/date for lunch today Wahoo. How nice it was to be having lunch with an adult, who although I love my friends, a gentleman to spend some time with would be lovely. His wife died of BC two years ago, he knows my situation and is Ok with my being lopsided. Or so he says. Let's see if he calls again! My first foray into the adult dating world so to speak.
be well
Nel0 -
I met with the surgeon today and got my surgery scheduled for December 27. We get to go to Indiana for Christmas!!! My surgeon said he has to get clear margins and will try to save my implant. I told him I wasn't worried about the implant. If he has to take out the implant, I will come home with a drain. I really hope I don't have to do that again! The mass is on the inside bottom side of my right breast and the pain when it was touched reached to the top of my breast. It scares to think what I might wake up to after surgery. I am going to try not to dwell on it too much during Christmas. Sometimes I can't believe I am going through this again.
Congrats on the date Nel. I hope he calls again. You deserve some date time!
My onc is looking at estrogen blockers for me to take. She knows how the arimidex hurt me so I hope I get something else.
Blessings to all of you.0 -
Nel ~ So glad to hear that you had a good time with your lunch date. I do hope you hear from him again. I am sure he must be a good guy if he knows how it is with BC and it doesn't matter to him. I think they call that being a grown-up, which is something many men struggle with...LOL! I have to say that I have been blessed with a man who just wants me to be with him regardless of my "boobage."
Beth ~ I hate that you have to go through the whole surgery thing again, but I am so happy that you will be able to go to Indiana for Christmas. I hope that the "babeez" will keep your mind off of it and I wish you a wonderful holiday with your family!
Take care and stay warm!0 -
Hi everyone! I'm finally back home with a good Internet connection and keyboard. I had a great, restful time in Texas. I spent a week in Galveston in a beachfront condo courtesy of an old friend. I've gained lots of poundage from growing taste buds again. I probably should care about that, but so far, not so much.
I loved seeing my son and having dinner dates with him. Other than those things, I spent most of my time sleeping or trying to stay awake so I could sleep later. It was the big joke in the house , "she's up!", "she's down!"
I got back home to below freezing temps and snow. And I got some exercise shoveling the snow. So happy to be back in my own snug little house, ignoring housework and making messes.
While I was in Houston, MD Anderson did an ultrasound of my surgery area and right axilla (where I have a seroma). They found a swollen infraclavicular node on my chest. Gotta say that tripped me right out, especially since they didn't even let me off the table before they were doing a fine needle biopsy. The results were negative, thank heavens.
I had my 3 month follow up with my oncologist here on Tuesday. One of my liver enzymes is out of whack so they will repeat the panel on 12/27. If it's still up, I'll have to have a scan. Some days, it feels like it never ends. Other days, I can take it. How I still have adrenaline to be pissed off about it is a mystery to me. It also makes me laugh that I'm mad about it. I think Quaatsi said it best about "the absurdity of life".
I'm thinking about all of you, particularly you Beth and especially on your surgery date.
I'm off to find some delicious chocolatey something!0 -
Welcome back, Phyllis! I know you are happy to be back in your own house. I love to travel and visit people and places, but there is no place like home! It sounds like you had a "wild" ride with the whole surgery and biopsy thing, but at least the final result was benign on the biopsy and you didn't have to wait too long to hear those words. Hopefully, the "she's up; she's down" provided you with the rest and recuperation you needed to kick BC's butt for good this time. Take it easy as you continue to build your strength back.
Beth, I wish for you a super-great holiday season this year. Enjoy your family (especially the babies), and try not to stress too much about your upcoming surgery. December 27th will be here soon enough, and then you can focus all your energy on recovering. Hopefully, the doctor will not have to put in a drain this time. They are definitely a drag!
Nel, I am glad that you are starting to date again. Even when we have lots of family and friends to support and encourage us, there really is no one who can take the place of a mate. And you were waiting for a long time for your divorce because I remember you postponed it because of the first BC diagnosis. Also, remembering my children's teenage years, I know that you need adult companionship to offset some of the tension that parenting that particular age brings.
My sister (14 years older than me) had a PET scan today. She was having trouble breathing, said one of her breasts hurt. She passed out a couple of times, so she went to the hospital last week by ambulance. Anyway, they did some kind of xray or scan (not sure what), but they saw something on her lung. So she had that test today. I am waiting to hear the results. I hope she doesn't have lung cancer, but where the before cancer me would have thought the test would probably be negative, the after cancer me can only think the test will probably be positive. My MO told me that she didn't think my BC was hereditary and didn't think I needed the genetic testing, but since my BC diagnosis, that same sister has gotten skin cancer (not melanoma), my brother has gotten prostate cancer, and my other brother had bladder cancer (actually this was about 4 years ago, so before my diagnosis). Now I am beginning to wonder if maybe these cancers are related and I do have the gene.0 -
Phyllis ~ Glad to hear your biopsy turned out OK and so happy for you that you had such a great time while your were in Texas. Like you, I am having a hard time with my eating habits and at this holiday time my taste buds seem to keep screaming, "Sugar, sugar, sugar, only to be followed by salty, salty, salty." My will power has taken a walk and I hope it returns before I gain even more weight! I will be keeping positive thoughts about your liver enzyme getting back to where it needs to be...you and Quaatsi are so right...this is such an ongoing ABSURD life situation and it totally pisses me off on a daily basis.
Bahamamom ~ I am also thinking positive thoughts for your sister's lung issue to be negative. Would your doctors even do the genetic testing this far along in your treatment? My dad had prostate cancer and that makes me suspicious that the genetics had it turn up as breast cancer for me.
I went for my mammogram last night and of course I am on pins and needled awaiting the result. I had an MRI in August and that came back OK, but I still don't trust this sneaky disease since it seems to be an epidemic. I am supposed to get the results in about a week. It's probably a good thing that I still have a bit of Christmas stuff to get done so I won't have to dwell on how the mammogram will come back. Even if I wanted to stop thinking about what we have been through (on a daily basis) it's just not possible when we have to continue to be vigilant in our fight to keep ourselves NED. By the way...the mammogram hurt like HELL...as my best friend says, "You have your tits put through a wringer when you get a mammogram!).0
