Kiwi ladies who need encouragment, but all welcome.
Comments
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Good luck at your clinic appointment KT. Hope Reuben has a good plan.
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Hi, just back from appt with Reuben. He's of the mind that you don't change treatment based on tumour markers alone. Phew, I can stay on taxol.
I did ask if I should have a PET scan to see if anything is going on - at first he said no, CT is fine. Then changed his mind later & is booking me in for one (in May). I'm taking this week off chemo & hopefully will get some energy back.
Hope you all had a good weekend. Great photo of your son Nikki. Nice to see you Woody
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Lovely ball picture Nikki. I hope they both enjoyed themselves.
Glad you enjoyed the Beach Hop Donna- sounds like a heap of fun was had and that's the main thing!
Michelle glad you are enjoying your bras. So nice to hear that Nikki did that too. Everyone here is so kind...
Good to see you here again Woody too. And Hi Shazza - I think I must have missed something because I read something about you being trapped for 4 days but wasn't sure what that was about! I might have to scroll back coz I've obviously missed something.
Hopefully you do get some of your energy back KT having a week off. And I guess the petscan in May will give you another look at where things are at. As long as you try not to worry about it.
Hi to everyone else. I'm a bit tired today. Might be a Nana Nap soon.,I worked 13 hours at Homegrown in Wellington on Saturday for St John and we were so busy. Plus 45 mins driving time added on there and back. Lots of drunk/drugged teenagers.
A bit sad having to turn back the clock over the weekend - now it feels like winter is definitely on its way.
I tried to play an April fool's prank on Tim on Friday morning before he went to work. He was taking the trailer to work because he needed to get some fencing bits for the weekend. So when he got up and had a shower, I snuck outside and tied about 7 old different coloured bras to the side and back of the trailer! I thought he might have got some interesting looks going to work?!? Driving along with bras blowing about on the back! Hehe
But once again he had a feeling I was up to mischief and went to check out the trailer before getting in his car so discovered the prank! Lol. We had a good laugh about it though.
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Woody, just to clarify I had to pay $5000 (!!) for the Oncotype DX test. Luckily my mum had inherited some money so she paid for it. Private insurance won't cover it. It meant waiting two weeks for results for yet another test, and we all know how hard that is, but my onc. seemed to think it was worthwhile for me. By the way, my grandmother who left the money to my mum died at age 100 of old age, having never had a mammogram or any kind of breast check as far as I know.
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Hi Kruise love the prank, shame he noticed!!
That is expensive Michelle, but if you felt it was worth doing then it was the right choice...I'm the first in my family who has had breast cancer as far as I know, though both my grandmothers died younger than I am now, who knows what they might have had later on...
Just harvested the chilies, plenty of them this year, love the bright colours
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Loving the look of those chillies Woody. I love them roasted.
Yesterdays CT scan was a task and a half with my veins (4 goes to get the line in). It ended up with the radiologist holding in the lure until the last second because the contast kept leaking out. Hopefully they got enough and I don't have to do it again. Bone scan next, hopefully I don't have to wait too long. I have re torn my cartilage (an old injury not covered by ACC), my GP doesn't want to refer me anywhere until I have had my bone scan. I am like an old lady with my walking stick.
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Hi everyone. I hope you've all been enjoying the gorgeous day
I felt like I was wagging school today, not going to chemo. DH & I went & looked at our house plans latest drawings, exciting. Then I went to the dentist (not so exciting, but no fillings needed). As a reward for going to the dentist I bought myself some jeans & a tshirt on sale
What are you going to do with all those chillies Woody?
Funny prank Kruise, bummer he caught you out
When do you get your results Nikki. I find the waiting for results is the worst part of scanning.
Take care all
kt
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KT I am glad you had a good day. Nothing like that wagging feeling when you're an adult lol.
I have to have a bone scan before I get the results I think, that needs to be done at Auckland and I haven't had an appointment yet. Sheridan did send me a blood test form which I haven't done yet - I thought I'd wait until around the bone scan time then at least those two things were done together. I must admit that I am very nervous, and will probably ring Karen Spells at the beginning of next week if I haven't heard anything about an appointment. I think Sheridan wants to gather her facts, so probably wants all the results before seeing me again. Hopefully it doesn't clash with my trip to Sydney next month, although I need to get this knee right or else I'll be hiring a sight seeing wheelchair.
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Nikki so sorry that you're having to deal with all this. As KT said, the waiting is the worst. I remember last year waiting for results from: the biopsy, MRI, PET scan, pathology and Oncotype DX test. All in a space of six weeks and all potentially life-changing. Some results bad, some ok. Each wait absolutely hideous. One of my cats had tests at the vet recently and the results were back the same day! I couldn't help but wish the same for us.
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Hi guys, I hope you all doing well. KT sounds like a perfect day to me, looking at new house plans, no fillings at the dentist and buying clothes - lovely. Those chillies Woody, they look amazing and so good for you. Nikki I hope you get some answers soon and they are good answers. Karen Spells is amazing isn't she as is Sheridan Wilson. I am feeling a bit like a fraud now. I had my ultrasound last week and haven't heard anything so I am taking that as good news. The lady that did the scan said they would definitely be in touch as there was something wrong but I guess no news is good news? I just don't have any faith in them which is a shame. I had my monthly meeting at Auckland University Medical School last night with the Mediterranean Diet Study people. It is going really well and I'm not finding it hard at all as I love the food. Last weekend at Beach Hop was a bit of a disaster though. I don't think the people who live in the Mediterranean eat potato chips and camembert and crackers like they are going out of fashion? The recipes AUT provided are amazing. If any of you are interested I could share them somehow.They mainly eat fresh fruit and vegetables and not so much processed foods. Red meat is a real no no, which some of the other ladies are strugging with. Anyway, have a nice day everyone. Donna xxx
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I'd love some recipes Donna
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Me too Donna 😃
You could always type one up to post here, maybe once a week or whenever you can be bothered!
I hope your ultrasound results are good. It's always better to check things rather than live with the concern that something is wrong.
Another beautiful day. I'm knackered after a busy morning at work. Time to relax....
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Me three Donna. 😄
I've got a day off today but running around madly trying to get chores done. I might as well be at work.
Fingers crossed for good results Nikki and that they come soon.
KT yay for bunking off chemo for the week. We all have to do that sometime.
Hope everyone is doing well. I'm just tired but can't really complain about tha
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Hi guys, I just got a call from the Botany Superclinic, I have to go and see a Gyne called Robin Montgomery next Thursday to find out what is going on. Playing the waiting game again!
I'm trying to put two recipes on here for you, but am having a bit of trouble so stay tuned haha .....
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Hi guys, well I am too thick to work out how to attach my photocopies of two simple recipes, so I am going to type them out for you. Sorry if there are any typos!
BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER AND FETA SALAD - Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
1/2 small head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1/2 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
1/2 punnet of cherry tomatoes
90 g of pitted black olives
110 g Feta Cheese, crumbed
Olive oil vinaigrette
METHOD
Steam the cauliflower and broccoli for 5 minutes and allow to cool to room temperature. Mix all ingredients together. Add sufficient dressing to coat. Best made a day ahead and refrigerated overnight. Can also be made with raw vegetables if desired.
TUNA PATTIES
INGREDIENTS
1 can (185 g) tuna canned in water, drained
2 tbsp chopped onion or spring onion
1 egg white
1 tbsp pickle relish (optional)
1 tbsp vinaigrette dressing
2 tsp mixed garden herbs (eg oregano and parsley) finely chopped
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
2 tsp olive oil
METHOD
In medium bowl, combine tuna, onion, egg white, relish, vinaigrette dressing, and bread crumbs.
Shape into four patties. Begin heating non-stick skillet over medium heat. Coat surface with oil. Add patties and fry on both sides until lightly browned. Serve with a mixed salad.
VINAIGRETTE DRESSING
Makes approx 80 ml - enough to dress one salad
Ingredients
1 tbsp lemon juice or Balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
Freshly-ground black pepper
Pinch of sugar
1 tbsp finely chopped herbs (eg parsley, basil, dill, chives)
Method
Combine all ingredients in a small jar with a lid. Shake vigorously to combine. Pour over salad just prior to serving.
These are pretty basic and if there is anything else you would like to try let me know in case I have the recipe.
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I've just got my bone scan appointment letter - 27th April. Feels like ages away, because then I have to wait a week and have an appointment with Oncology so I probably wont hear anything until at least the first week of May.
Thanks Donna, I will give the salad a bash this weekend. Louise will love it, but too many vegetable type ingredients for the boys in the house. Great that you have an appointment so soon. Don't worry until you have something tangible to worry about - well, that's what I am telling myself and mostly it's working.
Have a great weekend everyone!
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Thanks Donna
The recipes sound yummy & easy. I'm glad your gynae appt is not too far away.
It's a bit of a wait for you tho Nikki. Wouldn't be so bad if you could get the CT results first.
Have a good weekend girls!
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Hi guys, hope everyone had a nice weekend. Look what my lovely 21 year old son caught on Saturday (despite having a dislocated elbow). Makes my Mediterranean Diet so much easier when I don't actually have to buy fish which is so expensive. Caught at Kawakawa Bay. Every time he goes out he brings back something. I am so lucky!!!
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Wow Donna. That's a great looking fish (& son!). You're so lucky to have a fisherman in the family
I'm back to chemo this Wednesday. I was hoping I'd have more energy after a break, but no such luck.
But I have something to look forward to- my family have organised a flight down to Queenstown on Thursday for a long weekend. I'll be staying in Arrowtown with my sister, her hubby & one of her sons & my parents
It will be fantastic to see the autumn colours & to have time away with my family!Hope you're all having a good week too
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Aw KT that is such good news and definitely something to look forward to. Are you originally from down there? Don't forget to take heaps of warm clothes (although I'm sure you know) but it just seems to have turned into winter overnight. I've only been to Queenstown once, but was awe struck with the beauty of the place
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KT that sounds like a fabulous end to the week. I am envious. I love Arrowtown. I am originally from Invercargill and visited there often when I was a teenager.
That is a BIG fish Donna. Yourson looks a lot like you. Do you have to debone it or does he do it?
I just heard from Karen Spells that my CT scan is clear. So she seems to think that the SOB is due to the zoladex/exemestane combo, I will know more when I see the Oncologists on 3rd May with the bone scan results.
I hope everyone else has had a good weekend.
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Nikki that's fantastic news, must be a huge relief. KT, your trip to Queenstown sounds wonderful. I've seen most of NZ, but not been there. And Donna, you are lucky. All my 21 year old son brings home is pizza lol.
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Great news Nikki. I'm glad you didn't have to wait till your next appt for it
Donna, we're all North Islanders. Yeah, it does look a little cooler from the forecast. My sis & b-I-l are doing a mountain bike race down there.
Night all
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Oh Nikki what a big relief. You know these drugs really do horrible things to us, but I guess the doctors know what they are doing??? Do you think they might try you on something else? I'm sure the Zoladex/Femara combination was what made me so sick
My son took about 2 hours to chop that fish up, who new they had such bloody big back bones, he actually had to use a hack saw out of our garage and it was like a murder scene as he chopped it up in the kitchen, he cleaned up his mess, but did a Man clean, so I had to go over it all and do a proper clean haha. Can't really complain though as I am so grateful for the fish. Had some of it for tea the other night and it was yummy. Now my daughter is sick of fish though, so they had sausages last night haha (except for me, I could live on fish). Anyway, hope you are all doing well, Donna xxx0 -
Thanks ladies. I still have the bone scan to go on the 27th and then my oncology appointment on the 3rd. Karen said that Sheridan was concerned about my hip, so I have to get my blood test on the same day as the bone scan to make sure everything is in line. I did discuss, with Sheridan, removing my ovaries which she was all for, so hopefully that may mean that they can cut a bit of the medication down. I do hate it, and have had trouble with certain meds effecting my breathing before, so I wasn't so surprised that my lungs where clear. You always worry though.
Have a happy day everyone
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Nikki, it's so hard waiting, right? I hope the next few weeks aren't too bad. I'd go for ovary removal too.
Well, it's a lovely day today. I hope you all have a chance to get outside & enjoy it!
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Hi Nikki, at least you've over half the hurdle now just the long wait for your hip scan and oncology appointment. It's horrible isn't it? I've been feeling unwell for ages for it just messes with my head. I have my gyne appointment on Thursday. They won't take my ovaries out and refused a hysterectomy 2 years ago because in their words "you are too old, you must be going to go through menopause soon". I was also told at a pelvic scan 2 years ago that my uterus was "old and lumpy" haha! Funny when you think about it I guess. I have no idea what they are going to suggest for my old and lumpy uterus but will find out on Thursday I suppose.
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I hope you get some good answers on Thursday Donna. Blah to not feeling well. QOL is important!
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I am 98% er+ and they seem to think that menopause is a wee way off for me. I have never had my uterus scanned (on purpose to my knowledge), I would guarantee that mine is old and lumpy as well ....... just like everywhere else lol. Good luck on Thursday Donna. I am pleased that you haven't had to wait too long, although any waiting is too long.
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Hi again guys. I just have to vent. I just told my boss that I have an appointment on Thursday at the Superclinic and she wants a meeting with me tomorrow as she is getting really annoyed at my appointments. I always make the time up and since my BC diagnoses 2 years ago I have only had 1 week off when I had my actual surgery. I get paid for 40 hours every week and always work above that, even when I have medical appointments. Even when I had Radiotherapy I started an hour early every day, and worked half an hour later every night so it didn't impact my job. To say I am really upset is an understatement, I even had a good cry at work and the lovely guys I work were were surprised as they have never seen my cry before. So I have a meeting with her tomorrow morning at 10:30, I doubt I will get any sleep tonight. Wish me luck!!! You know some days I really do wonder why I even bother getting out of bed haha. Sorry to moan
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