The Hermit Club
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Spookie- everyones process does seem to be a bit different. My sister had an MX and was surprised to hear I had to do mammos and ultrasounds every 6 months for five years, but that is specific to my treatment plan. I will be followed my the BS and med onc for five years, the RO in AZ will review my films each year going forward if I want him to (and I might). But I won't go to AZ again each year, just felt important this first year and with the healing around the catheters. I wish you luck with your Dec apts, and it will be nice to be down to one doctor around all this.
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Good morning hermits!
Came back to my home state yesterday and cooler temps in the 70s. Feels like fall here now! No rain yesterday but the state still has flooding problems, mostly in the rural areas.
I realized while on this trip how I have come to value my hermit time, when needed. My sister and her partner had invited the partners cousin and husband who live in Phoenix to have dinner with us Saturday night. They came over to our villa to meet up for drinks first and the whole conversation with them was very heavy. People dying of cancer, eldercare issues, etc. I realized it was just part of family catching up, but decided to opt out of the dinner with them and stay back and have some time to myself. Felt pretty exhausting going through this first six month follow up and did not find I could be up and conversational, especially around such heavy subjects. I think cancer has really taught me not to put others first and be a good sport anymore, when it is really not what supports your well being.
Back to work today and wishing everyone a good week with their treatments, doctors apts and all the rest. Enjoy the fall days.
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Yep, I totally agree. Some time last year I found that out too. Now, I've lost a few friends who don't get it. That's ok too. Maybe they really weren't friends anyway.
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Hi hermits- well through one medical thing and on to the next. My PCP called today with the results of my recent A1C test. It was elevated last year suggested pre-diabetes and with all the changes to my health this past year, we had it rechecked and I am at 6.5, the lower most value for being diagnosed with diabetes. So tomorrow I go in to talk to her and she is going to put me on Melaformin and will send me to a nutritionist to talk about a diabetic diet.
I had just decided after talking to the rad onc last week I needed to do something more structured about trying to loose weight, like Weight Watchers, as my weight has gone up again. I lost 40 pounds last year through all the medical stuff that went on, but it has come back in part with a period of time when I was not able to exercise and also with the AIs.
Part of me is upset, another part of me is not surprised. Since the series of things began for me last year including breast cancer, it seems they keep finding more things wrong now. My body seems to just still be unable to cope, despite trying to take better care of myself. I know once you have something like cancer, it throws your whole body into a major change and so it seems to be true for me.
Thanks for listening hermits.
Bummed out in the desert
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Yep, you've got D now, darn it. Metformin can help with weight loss, it can also cause diarrhea. (Experienced voice here). Common side effect of it. Take it with food, build up your dose slowly. If its a real problem, ask for the extended release kind.
WW is not D friendly from what I've heard. Too many carbs, and that's what you need to pay attention to now. When you get your meter, test, test, test to see what each food does to your glucose.
Can you tell I have D too? LOL!0 -
Teka- yes, always something. My mother was diabetic and hypertensive and now I am both. Last year my BP went sky after abdominal surgery for another issue, and on licinopril I went.
Although my fasting blood glucose has always been good (80 ave), I guess the primary care doctors are using the AIC to get a better handle on the blood glucose beyond the snapshots. A value of 6.5 is equal to an average of 139 over a three month period.
My PCP also said this may be related to everything else that has been going on for me including the bc. I found an article on this site that says women who survive breast cancer tend to be at higher risk for diabetes. I wonder if your doctor knows this link too Teka, and is checking you reguarly for it?
Spookie- thanks for your input. I will likely opt out of WW and just do the diebetic diet that I expect to get from the nutritionist. My sister told me sometimes you do loose weight on this drug (after gaining on the AIs, that would be great) but was warned about the loose stool. Both PCP and sister told me to be sure to take it with the largest meal of the day. Thank you for your advice here and hopefully I can cope with this new med now being added to the mix. God I feel old!
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Oh Jazzy
sorry about this new crap for u.==It's the old right when u thought it was safe to go back in the water---Jaws 2---I know we're all different but somehow this ages our bodies, bones blood==everything in a short period of time and it's hard to feel good again. All the chemo and meds does a number on u'r body. And Jazzy except for here I don't really talk about cancer and all this stuff Thabk God my family doesn't either cuz I would walk away, it's been a long haul and I just unload here--where we all get it--otherwise my answer is fine for everything.And I enjoy my hermit time too.
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Take a look at the Paleo Diet......
I am feeling more miserable again, think it must be the AI.......tearful about all sorts and had major panic attack ten days ago, lasted 36 hours.......therapist says its emotion of repressed trauma as I had PTSD before this from other medical and life eperiences and bc just brought it ll back plus more.......also gaining weight like no tomorrow.......yuk....0 -
Cami- thanks for your kind words and understanding. I have totally felt that I aged 10 years after everything I went through. I do think our treatment process does take a lot out of us. Plus I had another thing that happened last year at the same I got diagnosed that resulted in some major surgery. The double wammy, as I call it. I remember thinking at the time I really did not expect to make it through any of it. But I did and now my body has more changes. I was already pre-disposed to this and think the other health problems just pushed me over into this new place. I pushed my doctor to retest me on this, even not having any real symptoms of the diabetes, so something in me knew something was not right.
Lily- thanks for the info on the Paleo diet. My kind of eating, pure proteins and veggies which my body does well with. Whole foods, as I call them.
And I am sorry you are struggling emotionally. I have the same stuff happen sometimes on the AIs. I will wake up very down some days for no reason or find myself teary otherwise. It happened sunday after I got home from my travels. I thought maybe it was just tears of relief to be done with the follow up process, but in the end, I think it was the AIs. I have gained weight too on the AIs and that has probably not helped my diabetic situation. It's a vicious cycle here.
It is good your therapist realizes what is going on for you and trying to help. I do think all this brings up the old wounds too. Like grief from a loss does too. And we are all grieving in some way, for that which we have lost as we have gone through all this. Please take good care of yourself and know I am hoping you have better days very soon.
Going to see the PCP later today and will let you know what happens next. Back to one day at at time here.
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Oh Girls, I'm sorry it's teary time. I sometimes feel like oh things are going OK, then ( take 2 steps back and it's what's going on now. Now I have to resee my Card. see a new Dr. for something else--It's like there is no end to Drs. and hospitals, and tests and of course meds, and they are usually cruel. And how many tests can u have before becoming hazardous material. I shouldn't complain cuz my cancer is totally in control and not worrying about it---but 25 other things are happening and I blame it on all of these things. U know when u feel like crying go ahead, it's kind of a relief after and as long as u like. Why not? And it's good for so many to see a therapist, they might be able to make sense out of u'r feelings. So u don't feel so different, but we are different than we were before-it does get better, but evvery time u go to the Dr. it's not like before when u went. (my theory)
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Cami- you are very right about this process. We can go through the bc treatment and get things under control, but then all the things we are asked to do create more problems for us. Drugs are a good thing and can help us when we need them most, save our lives, manage our pain, etc. But I know there is a cycle here of taking things that only create new medical problems for us. And you are right, I dread any doctors visits and tests now because I automatically assume they are going to find something wrong. Pleasantly surprised when they don't, always caught of guard still when they do. I guess it's best to just not assume anything about anything!
Came home to meet the roofing people (need a roof replacement due to hail damage) and sounds like they were already here and did there measurements. Guess I did not need to come home, but like working remote so I am good with it!
Going to see the PCP on next steps. I have a different thinking about this today. This was found early before it really becomes a problem, just like my bc was. Early detection and proactive treatment and management is the way to go and so that is what I am going to do.
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del.
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Jazzy keep u in the loop. I don'g mean around our necks,
CC u'r doing 2 walks---u'rlike Mighty Mouse Wow Good Luck and just stop by whenever u can.
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Hello Everyone
So I too am wondering about these "check-ups" with the surgeon. My six month check was an absolute waste of time. I was never examined, and the Dr. couldn't answer any questions because "he didn't have my file". It was just so annoying, and needless to say I am not going to the next appt...
Did some baking.....so fun to do on these cool fall days. For the first time in ages, I am appreciating the change in season...
Way to go CC...on your walks. Its dissapointing to here about a charity wasting money, I hope you express your thoughts to the people in charge.
The pumkins are still growing...I cover them up with heavy blankets at night (to retain the heat) the watermelon is doing well also. I really have to bundle him up too. Watermelon don't deal well with cool nights. Boy I am starting to feel like I am their mother...lol Contest this weekend, but other pumkings will go to future contests...
No word on the results of all my tests....no news is good news??
Take Care everyone.......
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Lori - if only the doctors paid as much attention as you do to the pumpkins and watermelon. I agree and find some of them pointless. Definitely keep no news is good news in your heart!
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Lori I love how u talk about the pumpkin and the watermelon--they should have names, u are like their mommy. LOL U'r Dr. forgot u'r file? OMG That's crazy. And BB is right.
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So glad I found this thread!! I am feeling like a compete hermit, wall flower etc. I don't want anyone to see me and I really don't want to talk to anyone I don't have to. I think this is in part due to the fact that I don't feel like myself. I feel like I am in some one else's body. Maybe it's the wig, maybe it's the side effects of the meds. Ladies, help me get through this, I know this cant be good and I don't want to isolate myself further. What have you done to get thought this mess??
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Sounds perfectly normal!! Now is the time for you to be good to you! Go back to the little girl who said I don't wanna, and you can't make me.
You've been through a lot. It takes time to process it all, grieve, and feel better. The time span varies by person. Hang in there, it does get better!!0 -
Hi Girlstrong, please don't be so hard on u'rself---that's why we're here. It happens to alot of women under these horrible circumstances and it will slowly pass and u'll feel like being with special people more and more. But right now let it be like Spookie said don't wanna don't do it. U'r not u'r self now, u r mentally and physically going thru a very stressful and miserable time--so give it time. It does get better but at it's own pace. And there are still times I hermit myself as some of us do and I don't feel guilty about it at all. So just go with it.
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Girlstrong- welcome to this thread. I am sorry to hear you are struggling right now. Choosing to be away from people at this time has it's benefits. We have all had our experiences with too many questions, judgements and well meaning, but exhausting people.
Your body is going through a lot to cope with the treatment and all the rest that goes with this. Be patient and kind to yourself and don't expect to feel normal. I am 6 months post radiation treatment and still don't feel like I did before. Everything has changed, but you will get through it and it does get better. Trying to get good rest, a little sunshine each day, something good to eat were things that became very important to me during my active treatment process.
I found this web site within a month or so of getting diagnosed and this thread really helped me (still does!) with everything one goes through. There are women here of all ages, going through different types of therapies, etc. We talk about cancer treatment, movies we have seen, what is growin in our gardens. We are a judgement free zone where you can be sad, angry, frustrated and all the rest. We get it here.
We are glad you found us and will be here for you as you continue through this journey.
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Welcome Girlstrong!
I am also so glad you found this thread....so many awesome gals here. Some days I am in a slump and I read the threads and laugh... Its a good place to vent and not worry about being judged
Give yourself time, and do what feels right. I have found that my family is the only ones I can talk to.....our lives have been turned upside down, and now its a journey to try get to a new norm....
Lilly-how are you doing?
Cami-all of the pumkins have names: Scar, Pretty Boy, Stumpy, Cowboy, Champ....Champ is the heaviest at 1250lbs. This weekend we are going to take Pretty Boy to a contest, he is a little over a 1000. Champ will go to the oct. 5th contest. My husband is expecting me to help transporting this...gulp.....we are letting the watermelon grow....no name for it. Any ideas for a name?? Last night I ended up going back out and put tarps on them, cuz it looked like it was going to rain...Thanks BB for the words of support...
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sorry checking in, am ok, still have oxy lung dr. is amazing, took 60cc's of fluid out of my lung, going to test it to see if their is cancer in the lining of that lung (of course there is) getting a CT scan tomorrow to check my lungs AND to check the abcess cause the pain is back from that....I am so fortunate to have you guys thanks for caring....Still have the oxy they still don't know why I can't breathe, got inhalers, said didn't think it is was COPD not sure what it is, hopefully the CT scan will tell them something....still loving to hermit, have to go out for the next 3 days....still napping.
How is everybody, will catch up, did read a little bit, so we have a newbie, welcome....
bbl
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Ladies--thank you so much for making me feel like I am not crazy or alone in all of this. I thank God so much for my supportive family but I have to continue to be strong because they are going through this too!! I think that the more i share and talk things through the better I feel. I saw my MO this morning and everything went well. My tumor is responding after first 2 treatments and so I need to celebrate that!!!
My MO said that patients with positive attitudes do better overall. That is the side that we all need to be on. I will do whatever it takes to stay on that even keel. 0 -
Girlstrong good MO visit, always good to hear some good news and attitude is a big play in this so just really think that everything is going ro be all right, it really does get better--I know my Docs said my attitude got me thru all of that stuff, but it really wasn't that I had an attitude I had a don't tell me anything, I'll go thru this stupid--I don't recommend it, but it sure worked for me, I never even knew what Chemo I got--if they started talking seriously I'd tune thm out- my Onc did get upset with me sometimes but she finally got me and just hugged me instead of words--so my attitude was stupidity and that was so easy for me to have. It came naturally,
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Blondie- it is good to hear from you and sorry you are still having breathing problems. Sounds like they are looking for the root cause and I pray there is no cancer in your lungs. I hope the CT scan helps to find what is going on. You have been struggling with the breathing issues for awhile now.
Lori- how about the name Betty for the watermelon?
Girlstrong- it sounds like your tumor is responding to the chemo. That is encouraging news. It sounds like you have a great and supportive family. Hang on to that and just focus day to day on what you need to do to get through your treatment. We are here for you.
Cami and Teka-
Went to yoga last night (gym) and tonight (outside full moon yoga in the beautiful north valley here). What my soul needs this week.
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We may be hermits but we can enjoy the view.
Jazzy BETTY? Why not Wilma the watermelon--Were u watching the Flintstones like me. LOL Jazzy I love how u keep active and take care of u'rself and really enjoy it.
I'm barely awake and I think I have a cold from Joey, Poor kids he's fine now but told me not to go near him, but I couldn't help it. LOL
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Cami- I knew you would like that! So sorry about your cold, lots of soup and liquids and rest!
Full harvest moon beautiful over the mesa this morning.
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This put a smile to my face!! Needed that since today was a chemo day
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Girlstrong We do get off subject every so often, but it's good for the well we'll say mind. LOL
Jazzy u'r knowing me better and better
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