Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?
Share with us: What are your proudest moments of 2024 and personal goals for 2025?
Take our poll: How are you feeling as we near the New Year?

Kiwi ladies who need encouragment, but all welcome.

1…7071737576…126

Comments

  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021

    Nik, great that you can get your other breast removed so quickly. Much easier to not be lopsided & more peace of mind. I think I remember a schedule like Fizzdons re checkups. I found it nice not to have to go in so much, but at the same time it was a bit scary after being checked so often.

    Cool that you get lymphoedema assessments now- that wasn't done 'in my day' :)

    Alyson, I hope you can get your m-i-l's stuff sorted soon, I'm sure you have enough to do without that as well.

    I'm tired yet again- I'm tired of being tired :) My sister & her family are trekking in Nepal & next week my brother & his girlfriend are going climbing near Melbourne. I feel like I'm in dullsville plodding one foot in front of the other & not doing anything fun. Must get on to scheduling fun! Life is too short!!

    Have a great weekend (make sure you schedule in some fun too...)

    kt

  • nik1966
    nik1966 Member Posts: 402

    I am fried to a crisp, and need to be wound dressed by the District Health Nurses, but I have finished radiotherapy. Time to get back to living.

    image

  • fizzdon52
    fizzdon52 Member Posts: 382

    Ouch Nik, that looks so painful. I didn't even have an area of pinkness with Mepitel film, such a shame you had that allergic reaction to it. But yahooooooooo, you've finished radiotherapy. That's so great. I was in Auckland Hospital yesterday visiting the Oncology Doctors and you were probably there at the same time. I started my Tamoxifen tablet last night. Hopefully I won't have medical appointments nearly weekly now because I am well and truly over them. I hope you mend quickly Niki, kind regards, Donna xxx

  • nik1966
    nik1966 Member Posts: 402

    Thanks Donna. It's bad because of the bolus which I had. It draws the radiotherapy to the surface and as such burns more. It is supposed to peak in about 2 weeks and then get better really quickly after that. A small price to pay.

    I have had my confirmation for surgery today as well - that will be within the next 4 months. Sugar lips I better get on a diet quickly, I don't want any nasty suprises when I see my stomach without boobs!

  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021

    Oh that looks sore Nikki. I hope it heals quickly for you. Yay for rads being over! And surgery's not too far away :)

    I hope you go well on tamoxifen Fizzdon. I found it easy breezy, but everyone's different I guess....

    I've just watched a good DVD with Juliette Binoche & Clive Owen in called 'Words and Pictures'. I can highly recommend it if you want a good DVD.

    I felt the need to chill out after work. I'm still really fatigued all the time, and am getting a bit down about it. It would be so nice to get back to normal- but I guess it's better than the alternative. You're a long time dead! Just gotta make the most of now somehow....

    My weekend starts now, no more work till Tuesday :) Yippee!!

    kt

  • fizzdon52
    fizzdon52 Member Posts: 382

    Hi ladies. Niki I had never heard of Bolus so just googled it, still don't really get it - am feeling thicker than usual today. I have a bloody headache and it better not be Tamoxifen! KT, I love those actors Juliette Binoche and Clive Owen so I might see if I can get that one out for the up coming long weekend. If any of you guys loved the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon, I can thoroughly recommend the 1st half of the 1st season DVD's 'Outlander' I have already watched it a couple of times and might just have to watch it again this weekend. I hope you mend quickly Niki and I am sorry to hear that you are feeling down KT :( enjoy your rest until Tuesday and I totally agree with the Yippee!!!

  • Alyson
    Alyson Member Posts: 3,737

    Fiz, a bolus is a flat piece of rubbery stuff that is put over you to boost some of the rads shots. Hope the tamoxifen works.

    Nik watch that burn. Mine went septic and took forever to heal it was just an oozing mass from shoulder down. The nurses are great dressing it.

    Still running around after MiL

    Have one more poppiy to complete. Think it's number 12.image

  • nik1966
    nik1966 Member Posts: 402

    I am watching it - I am worried about how much worse it will get before it starts to get better. I already am sleeping with my left arm over my head! It looks like a baboons bum!

    Those poppies are so so good Alyson! I am off to a dawn service in Papakura tomorrow morning with my son who is on the cenotaph on behalf of Cadets. We meet at 4.30am, so we'll have to leave here at 4.00ish. There is something every special about a dawn service though, and worth the early start.

    KT sorry that you're feeling down. I know what you mean about wanting to feel normal again. I am envious of my energetic, healthy friends - they don't understand the bone numbing tiredness of fatigue.

    I hope that everyone has a restful weekend.

  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021

    Just found out my sister & her family are in Kathmandu still, so went thru the earthquake. Thank goodness they're ok and are flying out soon- I hope the airport is open. Praying they get out ok

    Hope everyone's having a good weekend.

  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021
    On a happier note :)image
  • KiwiCatMom
    KiwiCatMom Member Posts: 2,337

    KT - how stressful for you and for your sister & family. Glad they're ok; hope they make it out soon. Love the kitties! I'm fostering some kittens and their mum for a bit...They're quite funny. Not a great picture, but you get the idea.

    image

  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021

    Gorgeous, Terre. Good on you for fostering :) They look like little balls of fun (& mischief

    I've been trying to find out what's happening in Kathmandu via the Internet- looks like flights will be resuming today. Cell phone coverage is down so I can't contact them, was lucky they managed to get a message out shortly after it happened.

    I'm sure they'll be ok. The boys will surely have some news to share when they get back to school!

  • shazzakelly
    shazzakelly Member Posts: 620

    KT I've just been reading about the earthquake. How scary for your sister and family, I'm glad they were able to get a message out to you and you know they are safe.

    Terre the kittens are cute. I used to foster a lot as I work at a vets. My daughter was just complaining we haven't had any for a while.

    Nothing much to report here. I'm sick of cancer and sick of feeling so exhausted all the time. 2 girls in my Stage 4 support group died last week. They were both younger than me with young families. It's so sad and I know I should count myself lucky that I'm doing so well but I have a real case of the "Poor Me's" at the moment.

    Hope everyone is having a good ANZAC break. My grandfather was at Gallipoli so I went to dawn service yesterday and then the apt Chev one later on. I'm a parade junkie

  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021

    Shazza, I'm so sorry you've lost some girls from your group. Bl**dy BC.

    I so get being over treatment & being tired- I'm really struggling at the mo too. I feel like I'm having progression, but trying not to think the worst. You've been doing it longer than me, so I know it's gets very tiresome to say the least.

    I too am trying to think how lucky I am that things aren't worse....

    Glad you enjoyed the parades :) It's nice to see all the coverage & articles in the papers etc & to really know all our predecessor's who fought aren't forgotten. I hate war too (as well as BC)- it's such a waste of good people.

    I heard from my b-i-l's family that my sister & her family slept in a car at Kathmandu airport last night & hope to be home by Tuesday, phew :)

    Enjoy the rest of the long weekend everyone :D

    kt

  • midnight1327
    midnight1327 Member Posts: 1,331

    Hi Nik, just looked at the picture of all that redness, i looked like that too, it was so sore, they gave me cooling creams to stick on it and when i got cellulitis in my breast in FEB, it looked likt that, and went onto chest and then other boob, it was spreading pretty fast and i had iv antis, for two days before the redness started to go, i am diabetic, so it was paramount my antis B started asap, i was on a high dosage of flucloxacillin, excuse the spelling, x 4 hourly.  and when i got over the antis B, i got thrush, so had to have more guff to get rid of it. so that pic of your burning reminded me of it, i can feel your pain. Hope that will all go soon.

     

    kt, we have seven baby creas now, they been popping them out every two or three days, some white and a gingery one, reddish tinge to ears,  (male). he is called Red and  a  brown  called milo,  have not named white ones as it gets hard  to tell who is who when they together. they funny things, extremely nosey lol, and the older alpacas look like they need  a trip to orthoadontis to get braces for there crookered teeth. one looks like bugs bunny. esp bottom teeth. hope  yr family enjoyed the time away and hope you not so tired today.

     

    HOPE EVERY ONE'S DAY GOING GOOD, Cheers. hugs

    Alyson, poppies are gorgeous.

  • KiwiCatMom
    KiwiCatMom Member Posts: 2,337

    Shazz - so sorry to hear of the loss of other Stage IVs. Several on the bone mets thread have had progression. Just heartbreaking. And hard not to have the "poor me's" - I had them really bad last week. Broken down and cried at work - first time I've done that since 1991. Good news is that my managers are amazing.

    Sending hugs to all,

    Terre

  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021

    Wow, midnight you have lots of alpacas now. The cria are beautiful aren't they.

    I'm glad you have understanding managers, Terre. It makes life easier. My boss has been really good too.

    I've been out in the garden getting some fresh air & exercise preparing what was a pile of stones & rocks to be planted up. Probably overdid it....time to rest before I get dinner underway.

    Night :)

  • fizzdon52
    fizzdon52 Member Posts: 382

    Hi guys, I'm sorry to hear that some of you aren't having a good time of it, and you lost some friends Shazza. I think you are so brave and I admire how you guys keep on going. Makes me feel really bad, moaning about myself sometimes :( Wow that earthquake in Nepal is so sad, they reckon the death toll is up to 4000 but will go higher. Hard to comprehend really and I'm so glad you have heard from your family members KT, imagine how worried you would have been if you didn't know they were ok. When I heard about that earthquake in the South Island last week I freaked out about my son who is in Ashburton and after a lot of hand wringing I finally spoke to him and he didn't even know what I was talking about - I'm such an idiot. He is 20 but he's my baby and it's still so young. I had a nice weekend, had some wines and a lot of laughs with a couple of girlfriends, I hardly ever drink and 2 glasses sends me silly haha so I had lots of laughs. No side effects from the Tamoxifen so far which is great. Take care everyone - I don't pray but am certainly thinking about all the poor people in Nepal and wish there was something I could do. Thinking about you girls as well, Donna xxx

  • fizzdon52
    fizzdon52 Member Posts: 382

    Sorry it's just me again, Alyson I wanted to say how beautiful your poppys are and you are so clever. Also did any of you watch the 60 minutes program last night about the polio vacine and the treatment of those with deadly brain tumours. The doctors are now trialing it on other cancers including breast cancer. This gives me hope that should our children ever get cancer, they may have a cure by then. It seems pretty amazing, it's called Immunotherapy and I have been hearing a lot about it lately. They introduce a disease (in this case it's polio) into tumours and the immune system take out the tumour. You don't get polio because they have replaced the catchy bit with a simple cold virus. I know my explanation is pathetic but it was a really interesting program if any of you are interested it might be available 'on demand'.

  • nik1966
    nik1966 Member Posts: 402

    Losing friends puts things into perspective doesn't it? I am sorry Shazza

    I remember when I first got my braces on, all I did was moan and complain about how uncomfortable my life was - then BOOM! I never even think about them now - they are a just minor annoyance now.

    Alyson, your poppies are amazing. Ben and I did 2 services out at Papakura on Saturday - we were out there at 4.30am. Last year it was a breeze to do both, this year not so much. I am having horrible joint pain which I think is the Exemestane. We're trying it for 6 weeks and if the SE's are too bad then I will have to change to tamoxifen.

    My radiation sores are weeping and causing me a bit of pain. I am trying to focus on the positive which is that I so lucky that I work at home and can just go bra-less all day.

    Have a happy day everyone

  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021

    Hi all, hope you've had a good day.

    My sister & her family are back in NZ now! I'm looking forward to hearing their tales once they've recovered, they're exhausted.

    I hope your radiation wound heals soon Nikki - not nice. It is great you can go braless :)

    Fizzdon, I missed that program- it sounds good. Might get around to looking for it....if I find the energy, maybe tomorrow on my day off.

    Catch you later

    kt

  • KiwiCatMom
    KiwiCatMom Member Posts: 2,337

    So glad for the good news KT!

  • shazzakelly
    shazzakelly Member Posts: 620

    glad to hear the good news KT. I was at chemo this morning and one of the nurses there spent the last 6 years in Nepal doing aid work with her husband. She had spent a frantic weekend trying to track down friends and colleagues. I have a feeling she wants to go back and help now.


  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021

    I'm so glad we live in NZ. Some of the things that are going on in the rest of the world are really scary :(

    Hope everyone's having a good day. We've got bizarre weather up here- sunny one minute, blowing a gale & raining the next.

    I think I overdid it moving rocks at the weekend- my spine woke me up in the night & doesn't feel good. Should be ok till I see onc on Monday, hopefully I haven't done any damage....I sometimes forget my bones are weakened by the cancer & try and carry on as per normal. Will try & be gentler to myself from now on.

  • JoTro
    JoTro Member Posts: 25

    Hi ladies - just wanted to check in - it's been a while!

    I have been moving on and enjoying getting over it or kind of trying to get well away from it anyways! I do check your posts every now and again seeing what you are all up to.

    Glad everyone is still fighting the crappy fight - Read about Moira - she was lovely to give me sound advice - so unfair. In my facebook group I met in the March 2014 chemo thread, we have just lost a lady last week to stage 4, after being a stage 1a last year (me thinks they mis-diagnosed her) Very sad and a worry for all of us.

    I'm not handling the Tamoxifen very well, have developed large fast growing fibroids, an ovarian cyst and thickened endometrium. In the god damned system again - just got the letter from NMDHB that i'm on a 2 to 3 month waiting list to be seen by Gyno specialist. So not sure what to do about taking the tamoxifen - do I stop or carry on for months with who knows what more damage it's going to do?

    I hope you are all keeping well.

    Jo

  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021

    Hi Jo, nice to see you again.

    I totally understand re taking a break from cancer. Nice to get some normality- tho hard when you have side effects. Regarding the tamoxifen - can you ask your GP their opinion about continuing in the meantime? I hope your gynae appt comes soon.

    I'm skipping Pilates today because of my back. I made an appt to see Dr just in case I should get an X-ray. Of course since I did that, I had a great sleep last night with no pain! Go figure....but I'll go along anyway & get their opinion. At least that way if I do end up getting an X-ray I can discuss it with the onc on Monday. (I'm still in bed :D)

    Nearly the weekend! Have a good day :)

    kt


  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021

    So Dr reckons all is ok, phew. I hate how BC makes us go to worst case scenario....

    Hope you're all enjoying the beautiful sunshine today

    k

  • KiwiCatMom
    KiwiCatMom Member Posts: 2,337

    Glad it wasn't anything to worry about KT. I know only too well about the brain going to dark places.

    Sending hugs,

    Terre

  • fizzdon52
    fizzdon52 Member Posts: 382

    Hi ladies, that is good news KT. I hope everyone is doing well. Sure is a beautiful day here in Auckland. Second week on Tamoxifen, nothing substantial just had a sore thumb and elbow but didn't last for long. Hope everyone has a nice weekend. I hope you mending well Niki? Donna xxx

  • JoTro
    JoTro Member Posts: 25

    I got the letter...3 months wait for the appointment, WTH

    So I rang my GP and she gave them a serve, next thing they ring me back, they can fit me in week after next! GP is also going to refer me back to Onc to get the Tamoxifen changed to AI.

    The one thing I have got out of this crappy stage in life to to be more assertive about my health.

    Hope you all have a great weekend.


    xx

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.