Bone Mets Thread
Comments
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Babs - This is wonderful to see! So glad you made it there!
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Oh Babs!! How wonderful you managed to do it. Your daughter must be so thrilled. You are an amazing woman, with such strength that I'm proud to know you.
Delvzy...I'm so glad that combination of pain meds works for you so well. I take Targin twice daily as well but I take Tramadol twice daily rather than Endone. I've tried Endone and it doesn't seem to work for me but Tramadol does take the edge off the pain. I also have a Fentanyl patch, 37mcg per hour, and I couldn't manage without it. Even so, I still have a lot of pain in my back if I'm on my feet too much. I know what you mean by going insane with the pain. I was also diagnosed with bone mets a year ago. My spine and ribs are covered in them and they've caused stress fractures. I think my pain level is about 5 at the moment. But I'm not complaining. There are so many of you girls in a much worse situation than I am and I send all of you love.
As I've said we don't do Thanksgiving in Australia, but today I've been having a quiet Thanksgiving in my heart for meeting such a wonderful group of friends here.
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Thanks JeeNe! Went well, won’t get answers now until Tuesday.
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Babs - what a wonderful surprise for your daughter! You all look radiant! Enjoy! And yes you are a rock star!!!!
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Babs, awesome picture. Your daughter has your smile.
My scan results are good, Everything is unchanged since my last scan. I'll take stable and run with it.
Gracie, thinking of you and hoping for good news Tuesday.
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Congratulations Jaylea. Waiting with you gracie.
>Z<
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Jaylea. Stable is great news!
Gracie wile you wait sending you hugs
Had a great day shopping for the baby’s room what a joy! We bought everything!!!!
Last night my dd and sil made a shabbat dinner so his siblings could see us. Even his 2 half brothers came from Strasbourg. Such a wonderful family!
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Babs, sooo happy for you, spending time with your daughter has to be the best medicine! Prayers continue for you also. Enjoy every second
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Jaylea - Congratulations on your scan results! Hooray for stable
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Babs how fantastic to have such a large family gathering and to see your daughter looking so happy. You'll carry those memories around with you now and know you made them all so very happy.
Jaylea I commented on the other thread about your stable scan results but it's so good I'll say hooray again!
Gracie..good luck, sweetheart. Sending you hugs and hopes.
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Jaylea. Stable is great. So glad for you. Gracie hope yours are good too. Babs such wonderful pictures. Having my grands for lunch today. Can’t wait. They always fill my heart with joy.
Waiting for appt for MRI. Insurance screws up again. On my second round of antibiotics. Lots of coughing does not feel good on ribs. But no more fever hurray.
Leapfrog. It sounds like you are doing better in your new apartment. Good luck
Maire0 -
very happy for you to see your DD Babs- and thank you for sharing with us.
Much love to all. I’m following along and praying for those waiting on scans and new treatments
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I think I’m as lucky as one can be with metastatic breast cancer. I’m not in pain, im still able to work. But I’m so tired. Maybe I’m depressed. Probably so. My marriage is pretty nonexistent, my middle child is the only one who acts like she cares that I’m sick. My boss is an ass who couldnt care less about me and what’s going on. I’m just tired. I want to enjoy life, but the thought of getting up and doing anything is just exhausting.
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Swess,
I'm so sorry to hear that. Even without pain, mbc is tough. I can see why you are sad. How old are your kids? Do you have a good friend to talk with? This is definitely a time to get your needs met. Can your doctor recommend a counselor?
Prayers and hugs. Take care.
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Swess - The mental state is the foundation for dealing with this disease. We're all in a crappy situation and certain level of grief, anger and sadness is in order. However, depression is a medical condition. . I am terribly concerned by your post. I would consider counseling and anti-depressants. We've been dealt a very tough hand to play and really nobody cares about the outcome in the same way we do. For that reason depression is a killer. I've seen any number of members of this forum turn their perspective around with anti-depressants. It is such a pleasure to see BCO members go from not really seeing the point of fighting to being completely back in the game and supporting others. I can't stress how important the mental state is.
>Z<
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Swess, I totally agree with Z. I am one of those people who was suffering with depression. And I mean I did not even want to live anymore. It got really, really bad. The suggestion to see a therapist, or talk to your doctor about antidepressant is the best advice you could recieve. I hope you get to feeling better about all of this, and I understand it is very hard.
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Lemondrop, I haven't read all the posts yet, but no one should have to wait for their scans. At my hospital I go to medical records the next day and get a copy. You need your license and have to fill out a form and my onco hates that I do it, but I do it. She wants to read it before I get it but I don't care. I want to read it and have my questions ready when I talk to her.
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I too find talking with a psychologist familiar with oncology, attending a weekly in-person MBC group, and taking Effexor to be incredibly helpful.
Today, I finally took a very small dose of adderall that had been prescribed to me in response to deep fatigue and that feeling of having too little energy to do much. Holy cow, it was amazing. I felt good and happy - used the time to take a deep water aerobics class, which was awesome, and to take a long walk with my dog --and it wore off at precisely four hours, as promised. I will not hesitate to use this on days when I need it.
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I've been living with breast cancer for over a decade now and I am here to tell you all, this is a relentlessly hard way to live and there are going to be times when you will need some help carrying this heavy burden around every blooming day.
Within a week of getting my Stage IV diagnosis, I had a big-incision style hysterectomy/oophorectomy and then I was handed a bottle of Femara. Three shocks to the body right in a row. Instapause hit like hellfire and brimstone with several hot flashes per hour that triggered nausea and waves of anxiety and depression. Femara locked up my joints and I hurt all over. I am pretty sure I told my oncologist one day that I might actually kill puppies for a drop of estrogen. She promptly handed me a Lexapro script to stop the hot flashes. To my surprise it also made the sun come out again. It gave me my life back. I took it until three years ago when I decided to go off for a while and give my liver a break because I had just recovered from a winter of chronic liver failures and four surgeries.
Fast forward to now. I've been on constant treatment for over seven years now, weekly Taxol for the past year. It's been a hard year in so many ways even beyond stupid cancer. I have totally forgotten what it feels like to have energy. I have watched my thoughts gradually sink into a dark place again, and I finally realized last week that I have been strong for too long and just need a break from working so hard to stay up through all of this. I called my oncology nurse and got started on Wellbutrin today.
We need to be as kind and compassionate toward ourselves as we would be to a friend who is going through a rough time. If you are sad and down, know that there is hope for getting into a better space and feeling joy again. Please ask for help. We all need to live.
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Lulubee- What you wrote was so spot on Thank you. This is one long hard and bumpy road that we’re on and we should all take whatever help we need. Allow yourself that! I’m one who NEVER takes pain meds. But with the pain I’ve been feeling lately I decided that I just had to. I’m much happier cause I can function.
Last night we celebrated dd 40 th with a wonderful dinner-could never have done that wo my pain pill
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Babs, The photos are great, and I want to borrow your black dress for an event I have to attend!
Lulubee, I was diagnosed in 2007 too, with mets in 2009. I hear you. It has been a long long road.
Tomorrow I'm meeting with an incredible researcher to discuss his current research with MBC. I'll let you all know the details when he is ready to enroll MBC patients in his study. Excited to have this opportunity.
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Babs you look so elegant and beautiful. It's lovely to see you and your gorgeous daughter. What a wonderful family you have.
It's time I was honest and Swess I have you to thank for this because I've been putting up a good front and not being honest with myself or any of you. My marriage is in tatters. I was just trying to make it ok in my mind. My husband has no idea how much he hurt me with his secret life and the continuing lies. After reading all the posts I think I should come clean and admit that I need help.
Jensgotthis, Gracie, Lulubee, Babs, Kaption, Z.....I read your words and they resonated with me. I had already made up my mind to seek help when I see my oncology nurse on Wednesday. I spoke to her on the phone last week and told her of my change in circumstances and she told me they can offer me help, so we'll organise something. To be perfectly honest, when I received my diagnosis a year ago and was offered a breast care nurse, my husband refused it on my behalf. I didn't even know he'd done that. Apparently she called him because they didn't have my phone number and he refused out of hand.
I realised this afternoon that I have an element of depression. Not as bad as you sound Swess and I'm so very sorry you feel so bad. I'm ok when friends visit and I'm ok if I don't have to communicate with my husband but one text or email from him and I plunge to the depths. My son is still living with him and I was concerned that he'd turn my son against me, which was a ridiculous thought and just shows how things can get you down when you have MBC.
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Babs, you look beautiful! And your daughter is just gorgeous, as she always has been! Am so glad you were able to make the trip!
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Leapfrog - goodness with a caretaker like that who needs enemies. Why would he decline a breast care nurse ... for you????
Lulubee - I am moved by your post. 10 years is what I dream of but it is a long haul.
Z
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Leapfrog, I know it is sometimes hard to ask for help, almost as if we are giving up or giving in. The fact is, that life is full of people helping people: friends helping friends, family helping family, teachers helping students, professionals helping anyone who seeks them out, strangers helping those in need. It does sound like it is time for you to accept the help that is available to you. A breast cancer nurse sounds like a wonderful idea. It will help you cement your newly found independence. Do you think that a counsellor would also be helpful? He or she could help you sort through all those thoughts and feelings swirling through your mind. Maybe counseling will help you discover a way to tell your husband exactly how he has made you feel. It can also help with the depression that you feel settling in. Are you on any anti-depressant medication? As far as your son is concerned, from what you have told us about him, he will never turn away from you. You are too dear to him. Please remember that there are many people here for you.
Babs, Your family looks wonderful -beautiful, happy, content. I am glad you you were there to celebrate your daughter's birthday. Do take care of yourself.
Hugs and prayers from, Lynne
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Babs you go girlie omg I love this picture. Enjoy yourself you so deserve it, your daughter looks radiant
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Today my daughters new family made her a baby shower. Her mil came in from Strasbourg just for this. I can’t tell you how happy I am that they treat her as one if their own. Quite honestly with how my cancer is growing it gives me great comfort to know that when I’m not here they will love and be there for herBabs
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Oh Babs thank you for sharing these special moments with us. So happy to see you with your family celebrating. It is very uplifting and does a heart good! Can't wait to see the baby!
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Babs, I love your pictures and am so happy your daughter is doing well. I'm glad you are reassured that she is happy and well cared for.
To everyone else. I think there must be something about this time of year that is especially bad. I was just outside laughing with my husband. I sat down on our deck and all of a sudden I was overwhelmed with dark thoughts. I too will be signing up for counseling soon. I am also considering seeing a pain management MD.
I am thinking of all of you as you struggle with pain, depression and divorce.
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Oh my goodness, Babs, So many exciting things happening! It warms my heart to know that you are there in Paris sharing all these special moments with your sweet daughter. I know that I don't have to remind you to enjoy every moment since you are obviously aware of the beauty, excitement, love, and tenderness of such special times. Thank you for posting the photos.
JFV, I am sorry that this is turning in to a difficult time for you. I know that the holidays can bring out the happiest and scariest of thoughts in all of us. Pain is a sinister creature that can quickly add misery to our lives and can be difficult to handle. Pain management doctors play a vital role and can make a huge difference in QOL. I hope the dark thoughts are soon replaced by happier ones so you can enjoy the days ahead.
Hugs and prayers from, Lynne
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