Kiwi ladies who need encouragment, but all welcome.
Comments
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I haven't had Taxotere, but my mom did and had a bit of neuorpathy. Here's what Dr Internet says is a common side effect:
- Burning, numbness, tingling, or pain in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
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Exactly one year ago today at 1pm I heard those horrible words, "Mrs Price we found cancer so you do have Breast Cancer". It's my 1 year anniversary today and wow what a year it's been. I suppose I'm not alone in remembering that day with sadness. You have all gone through it and I feel like only you guys understand.
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Fizz--Totally "get" the anniversary thing. Two years ago, I was told "It's definitely cancer in your bones, and there's no remission, no cure, just hope for stability with a good quality of life." I have my two year check up on 5 Feb for the pin in my leg (my femur was in crap shape when they finally did an x-ray rather than sending me to endless physio).
Sending hugs your way Fizzdon...
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I will never forget those words ....... the exact words, when I was told. Lets make the next 12 months better than the last 12. I was diagnosed on 21 August, I can now say that last year I found out that I had BC - this year I hope to put it behind me for a while (a long while) xoxo
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more hugs coming your way. I so get it. I've been told you have Cancer 3 times. I actually can't remember the dates of the first 2 times in 1999 and then 2007 so if it's any comfort you do move on with your life and stop thinking about Cancer. Unfortunately I got my stage 4 diagnosis on my 46th birthday. Don't think I'll be forgetting that date in a hurry.
KiwiMum how did your appointment with Rueben go?
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I get it too Fizzdon. It's my 4 year anniversary in a couple of weeks. Congrats on making it through year one and all the treatment. It's certainly a year to forget!
My appointment went well Shazza. Reuben was his usual OCD self. I'm going to continue 4 weekly Zoladex and daily Examestane for a while until I can get an appointment with Lois - can't remember her surname, to discuss ovary removal. He thinks it's a good idea for me as I will be having these injections for at least another 4 years ... and then he thought we'd still want to suppress the ovaries in some way so may as well just get rid of them now and save years of injections. It's done via laprascopy but is still an overnight stay.
I've also been put on new medication to help with bone density. My bone scan revealed osteopenia in my hips, so now I have a pill to take 4 weekly as well. Can't remember the name right now.
He kept asking if I had any symtoms ... so I asked what symptoms might be of interest. He said a lump, pain or a persistent cough. At least now I know what to look out for I guess.
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You ladies are all so brave and I feel bad when I moan about myself. You are so right Shazza, I do now finally feel like I am starting to put it all behind me. It will never really go away but I can live with that. Have a nice day ladies, another scorcher here, my poor garden is wilting quite badly. I never thought I would actually want it to rain hahaha, Donna xxx
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Donna - I'm definitely not in the "brave" category and you're not moaning, so don't feel guilty!
Shazza - ugh! On your birthday? That's awful!
Hugs to all,
Terre
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Hi all. Another lovely day. I'm putting my feet up for a bit since I'm knackered from work
Kiwi mum, you saw Reuben on a Wednesday? I haven't seen him for ages (I used to have Monday appts) I see Rita on a Wednesday usually (prob who you see Fizzdon). Nice that you don't have to keep on with the zoladex indefinitely. I had osteopenia too- now I'm on Aredia infusions for that & to help with the bone mets.
It's a shame we can't get the 'all clear' after 5 years with BC. It took 11 years for mine to metastasise (if you don't count the scare/?mets I had in 2011)! I always felt I had to look over my shoulder~ oh well, it is what it is.
I hear you on the rain Fizzdon! We've just found we have a slow leak in the pipes between our water tanks as well as the leak in one tank that has just been fixed. We are very low in water!!!
Take care all
kt
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KT bummer about the water leaks in your water supply. Surely we will get some rain soon.
I think KiwiMum sees Rueben privately. I'm still under him on a Monday at auckland but I have actually had him for clinic since August. It's always one of the registrars. They are always very nice but I never seem to see the same person two clinics in a row so I don't bother trying too remember their names.
I'm off to Melbourne in a week for a 4 day girls weekend. I can't wait. Although I'm not sure how I'm going to cope with the heat there as I'm finding it too hot here. I'm thinking air conditioned cocktail bar might be the way too go.
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Wonderful, Shazza, Melbourne!
I've only been there once for a few days, but it's lovely
Air conditioned bar sounds the way to go 
I too am hanging out for my couple of days away!
Here's to holidays!!
kt
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So, here I am at Ak hosp killing time until my isotope injection. Then I have 3 hours to kill before the bone scan. Might have to go shopping in Newmarket! What a hardship
I could do with some new shorts with all this hot weather. Hope you're all having fun in the sun
We had a little rain over the weekend, which is wonderful- helps fill the now repaired water tanks!
Catch you later
kt
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Oh & good news! My daughter got her restricted license today- hooray!
Here's to teenage independence.
(Was a bit worried because her 1964 mini needs work on the handbrake!)
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great news about your daughters licence KT can't wait till my daughter gets hers. Just need to book for the test.
Good luck with the bone scan. 😃
3 sleeps and I'm off to Melbourne for 4 nights. Can't wait.
Enjoy the beautiful weather everyone I'm off to work.
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KT I went shopping in Newmarket when I had my scan. It was nice to look in the different shops - Botany is getting boring!
Shazza, I am envious, have a fantastic time in Melbourne.
Finding it very hot to sleep - not sure if its the hot flushes on my bald head or just the fact that it's so humid.
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Hi everyone, it's not just you that's having trouble sleeping. I had to take a sleeping pill last night because I just can't sleep either. This heat on top of hot flushes is just too much. Hope you have a lovely time in Melbourne Shazza. KT well done on your daughter getting her restricted. I hated mine getting their's - I didn't want mine to grow up, not much I can do about it though
Kiwi I know what you mean about Botany, my favourite local shopping centre is Sylvia Park. Hope everyone has a nice week and doesn't melt. We had a bit of rain over the weekend and I wanted to take all my clothes off and run around in it hahaha! Had a bit of excitement at my place yesterday, one of the goats got out and started eating my roses, we also had a family of wild turkeys (including 6 babies) hanging around my little cottage I love living in the country.0 -
What did you buy in Newmarket KT? This heat definitely requires loose, light clothing.
My hot flushes are frequent and brutal at the moment Fizzdon. I am literally dripping several times a day.
I'd love to get the all clear KT. 11 years is interesting. I asked Reuben if I got the all clear or less frequent appointments at 5 years. He said NO. My BC has a long term recurrence risk ... guess I'm lucky (sarcasm!).
Yes Shazza is right. I see Reuben privately - Southern Cross pays!
Shazza I'm going to Melbourne too, for work. We are taking clients to the tennis. I fly Friday morning, back Sunday night. Are we on the same flight? Your girls weekend sounds fab!
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KiwiMum we leave on Thursday morning and arrive back Monday evening so I can go to chemo on Tuesday morning. Have fun at the tennis. Only to more sleeps for me. I'm so excited. I've never been to Melbourne.
KT I hope you had fun shopping in New Market when can you expect your results.
I had my 2nd chemo since my break this morning and everything seems to be going ok. No nausea. Number 62 for me. I must be looking ok as another paitent asked if this was my first one. I think all the hair confuses people.
Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine
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Hi girls. I'm feeling very dopey as I have been dozing on my bed in the heat after work. I'm stuffed.
I bought some shorts & a wafty, light blouse in Newmarket
it was fun looking at different shops. Had heaps of time & went for a walk in the domain too. (Got married at the Wintergarden 24 years ago)I get my results tomorrow, I guess, when I go to the clinic & also get my aredia inf. Shazza, have you ever had bone pain worsen after a scan? My spine was uncomfortable yesterday & last night. It's eased now.
It's great that the taxol isn't too hard this time
Not long till your girls weekend now. Kiwimum, enjoy your time over in Melbourne too! It's good Reuben is keeping a close eye on you, hopefully you'll never get mets, but reassuring to have good care.
I'm going to waiheke after tomorrow's appt. I can't wait. My Dd is coming too & my parents are already over there. Dh hopes to get across too for at least a night.
Hot, isn't it! Take care
kt
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I'm soooo bored! Waiting for my infusion, been sitting here for over 1/2 hour.
According to onc (Rita) the bone scan showed the known mets, nothing new. Markers still going up, but she's not concerned so I'll be continuing the current regimen.
Can't wait to get out of here & get to Waiheke!!
kt
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kt thats great news. I dont think tumor markers are reliable for everyone. And things other than cancer can make them rise. They are completely unreliable for me as they have always read the same this person doesn't have cancer number. Doesn't matter what is going on.
You can get on with enjoying your time on Waiheke. Have fun
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Thanks Shazza. It's really nice to get away again. I'm chilling out after dinner, looking at the sea view
Have a blast in Melbourne! You'll love it
kt
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Hi all. I've been reading posts since late 2012 but can't remember if I've posted before on this discussion - my brain spends a lot of time in lala land these days.
I've been on Letrozole since Dec 2012 with "side effects" well and truly kicking in March 2013. They have all been pretty horrid, but its the massive weight gain (approx. +/- 1kg per month and ongoing) that is really pulling me down deep. Gym 2-3 times a week, walking before work every day and various meal "plans/diets" haven't helped, not even intermittent fasting. I had weight gain during a totally crappy menopause (2002 - 2012) but it had started to shift a couple of months before I was diagnosed Oct 2012. I've put on 19kg and it is doing my head in. At 163cm I look like the Michelin man!
I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 2013 with everything but the kitchen sink removed (including omentum); 9cm complex ovarian cyst was removed (serous borderline fortunately) - nurses were amazed on weigh-in the day the op after that I had actually gained 300 grams :-j I stopped going to the gym a few months ago as I could only exercise my right arm and left leg at that stage <g> Didn't help with bone aches/muscle wastage/weight anyway and any energy I have is kept for work these days. Dietwise anything "white/processed" is a treat and I eat low carb/low GI. Only two pieces of fruit per day in my morning green vegetable smoothie. Any tips would be welcomed with open, albeit pudgy, arms and I'm sorry for inviting you to my pity party. On the happy side, we've got a long weekend in Auckland this weekend
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Great news about the bone scan KT. I asked Rosalie about tumour markers and she said that she found them to be unreliable and that they caused more anxiety than they were worth (in her opinion). I am happy to go with that as I trust her. The less I have to worry about the better.
Shazza, have a blast in Melbourne.
I am finally feeling a bit better after my first taxotere on the 7th. I am getting my nails done today by Hand in Hand who are specialists in nail care for cancer patients (the owner is a BC survivor). Looking forward to that as they are in really bad condition. The taxotere has caused a few toe nails to go black, but my fingernails are still ok thank goodness.
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Thanks Kiwi1966. Enjoy your manicure, nice to treat yourself
Hi Twofer. Sounds like you've had a bit of a rough time. I hope things improve. I guess the weight loss will be a long term thing, one day at a time.
Where are your mets? Mine are bone, lung & lymph nodes.
Waiheke is lovely (a bit windy tho) We've just had a yummy platter at Mudbrick cafe. Time to kick back & relax. I could get used to this. Shame I have to leave tomorrow. Hope the traffics not too crazy for the drive home (being a long weekend & all!)
Catch you later
kt
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Thanks KT. Mine are scalp (lytic - vertex) and L3 pedicle (sclerotic). Will get the results of my most recent CT scan on the 2nd (Reuben Broom). Had the scan on the 14th, so being called in much later looks good :-) Took a day's leave today so I can have an extra long weekend (Auckland Anniversary on Monday). Yayyy Have been to Mudbrick a few enjoyable times. Waiheke Island is a great place. Wouldn't mind retiring there if I won Lotto 0 -
Hope you get good results Twofer. A number of us have seen Reuben too.
Well we are packing up the bach, getting ready to leave. It's been nice. Going to go & do the sculpture walk at Matiatia before getting on the ferry & heading home.
Have a great long weekend all of you lucky enough to live around Auckland!
kt
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Hi- hope everyone had a good weekend
Back to work today.
Have you seen the specialist about an oopharectomy yet Kiwimum? I got the dreaded curse (period) at the weekend. I haven't had zoladex for 6 months & thought I was in menopause...but I guess not.
So I will have to go back on it or see if I can have a ooph.
Its been quiet here- hope everyone is too busy enjoying life to think about BC!
kt
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hey everyone. I'm back from my long weekend in Melbourne. We has a fantastic time. I've never been there before. Unfortunately our flight back yesterday ran into some problems we spent 2.5 hours sitting on the plane on the runway until they decided they couldn't fly and we would have to wait for another plane to arrive from New Zealand. Long story short I didn't get home till 4:30 this morning. Then had to get up and go to chemo then on to work till 7 pm. I'm absolutely exhausted.
KT bummer about the period. I was on Zolodex a few years ago for 2 years. My period started again immediately. I haven't had one though since I started chemo in Sept 13. I wonder if I'm in menopause or whether the chemo is just suppressing it. Up until starting I got my period every month without fail.
Hope everyone is out enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having. My 18 yo is starting a course tomorrow and will have to be out the door every morning by 7. I think that is going to be a shock to us all. My daughter is back to school year 13 next week. Peaceful mornings will be a thing of the past.
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Hi everyone, it has been very quiet in here over the weekend, which I guess is a good thing as it means we must all be okay and/or busy. Life is getting back to normal after Christmas I suppose, everyone going back to work and school starting etc. I don't have anything special to say, just thought I would pop in and say hi and hope every one is doing well. I'm so over this weather, never thought I would say it but I want winter!!! I just can't sleep and even had to buy a bottle of V to get me through my busy day at work. I haven't had to resort to V since my radiotherapy. Take care everyone, Donna xxx
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