2013 Survivors!!!
Comments
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Websister, thanks for that. I did not read your earlier post properly. Think I will phone my oncologist tomorrow, and discuss this with him. Nothing to lose, is there?
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Juneau, I found myself smiling and nodding while reading your post. I'm so glad you have decided to stay!!! I think hearing the shitty stuff from other survivors has helped me more than the sugar coated bull that drs tell you. That whole "it's like a bad sunburn". NO it's like a part of your body has been set on fire!!! "You may feel a little nausea" no, you will likely projectile vomit 30 ft across your living room with no warning. "You may feel a little tender in your bones on taxol, like a mild flu" NO, you will hurt so bad that when your DH tries to help you into the tub you scream in bloody tears for him to not even look at you. Please, everyone, know for me the negative side of your experiences physical, mental, emotional, sexual... They all put this crappy disease into reality. As much as I soldiered thru in life, with a smile on my face. Coming here, knowing I'm not alone. In my craziness, my tantrums, my anger... It's all normal. You helped. Your new therapist sounds wonderful!!! So glad you were able to find one who understands everything that's going on for you. I was a pack a day smoker till last August, and every time I get on the elliptical I'm expecting my feet to shoot out my mouth from a coughing fit but it never happens :-) feels good lol
Sleeping pills starting to kick in, but I hope everyone sleeps well tonight and tomorrow sunshine brings warmth to your hearts.0 -
LOL Shianne, good thing I was not eating or drinking anything when I read that, because it would have been all over the keyboard! Yes, docs sure do like to sugar-coat everything, don't they? You have a way with words. I needed a good laugh today, too. :-)
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Juneau and websister - thanks for the info on colonoscopy and what you have to go through. I know in the back of my mind it won't be that bad, but the unknown gets the better of me at times. I remember the fear before my first mammogram and how it kept me from going for 7 months after I turned 40. After I went I was mad at myself for waiting so long as it was not at all what I thought it would be based on what I had heard about them and it was not for another year and a half until I was diagnosed with BC. I am going to do it no matter what, but I am still scared of the unknown. I should know not to be, but I can't get over it.
I need to be sleeping now, but I am wide awake. I have such a busy day also. Hopefully I will sleep better after my appointment.
Take care everyone!0 -
Momof3 - sending hugs and hope you got some sleep. I well remember my anxiety before my first colonoscopy, it's another of the not fun things we do for our health. Thinking of you as you meet with the surgeon today.
Shianne and Jennie - new avatars! I like
Have a good day everyone0 -
Hello ladies! What a beautiful day! My sister came over and we walked the neighborhood and I feel good!
This weekend was great. Hershey was perfect. I walked literally 12 hours up and down hills (because it is not a flat surface like Six Flags!) and made it the whole day without crashing. My DH and DD were roller coaster monsters! They hit all but two! My DD has started the upside down and inside out ones and is hooked. I took my DS on all his rides and life was good. Scottie you will be happy to know I did not indulge my sweet tooth too bad. One mini hershey bar they give you when you get off the factory ride. And I abstained from the funnel cake and smores. I can get that down the shore. The only bummer is I was hoping with all the abstaining and walking I would lose maybe a pound. No. Didn't happen. But whatever.
So that gets me to the weight issue and this is a general announcement to all struggling - embrace your beautiful self! I have struggled with weight my whole life from one extreme (anorexia) to another (200+ after second baby). With my underactive thyroid (and lack thereof - thanks cancer!) it is so hard to lose weight and now with the tamoxifen it's even harder. Lets just focus on keeping ourselves healthy and happy. And if we have to get a new wardrobe out of it - hey who doesn't like shopping! Ok off my soap box now.
Websister - I remember having scary thoughts after my MUGA in January because my heart function was slower than normal but still in normal range. I had another one done 4 weeks after and it was still the same. My new normal I guess. I figured it was because I had a 90 min herceptin treatment instead of my usual 30 minute one. So I am riding around in your pocket till you get good news.
Juneau - I am 15 min from Princeton. Let me know when you're around.
Shari - hugs baby!
McCook - still smokin hot!
Tazzy - you have inspired me. I have the blackest thumbs around but I am going to do a fairy garden. I have a spot by my back door that needs something so I am going to put down rocks and a bench and some pots with tiny plants and furniture for the fairies. I've been wanting to do this for a while but didn't know what to do. And might I say what a wonderful thing you and your co-workers did for that man. I understand how good it feels to give back when a friend is struggling with cancer. Roger is hanging in but it's hard right now. So I do what I can to give back.
To everyone else who needs it - my cloning machine is up and running and am in all your pockets. Here is to a great day with happy thoughts and minimal SE's!
Smooches!
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Momof3: in your pocket today. It will be fine, but fear of the unknown is totally normal so I'm just going to wrap a BIG HUG around you!!!
I too LOVE the new avatars. It's TIME FOR UPDATES LADIES!!!! I just did mine. This is my best angle I've decided. Can't see
My belly or my sagging eyelids when it's from above. You should try it!!
Also, I was NEVER considering leaving; just a hiatus from adding to the conversation.
Xoxo- make it a great day!0 -
websister....this Metformin thing is confusing. I read on a site that someone here suggested and it said that Health Canada had not approved it for BC patients. Odd
Perhaps they are in trials now here too. Let's hope they find some positive results.
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oops....wrong thread
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momof3 im right there with you needing to have one. My MO has been insistent that I get one. He said the majority of his chemo patients are colorectal cancer related (not BC) and that it upsets him because its so much easier to prevent. (polyp removal etc)
LOL Shiane pretty funny imagery of your feet shooting out of your mouth on the elliptical
Websister- interesting thought about the 10 years-I mean I have seen (and experienced) a vast number of changes from when mom who was only 39ish had the standard treatment of the mid60s - the horrendous halsted MX w/no recon options, no tamoxifen or AL's compared to my NSDMX with SN biopsy and Arimedex. I sometimes feel guilty whining about things like how my arm tingled after sn biopsy, SE's from AL, etc but she lost all nodes on that side, the muscle in chest,the breast, the skin, shoulder/arm tissue & muscle; God Bless her I can remember walking in on her trying to figure out how she could pick up the iron to do Dads shirts for work=trying to find her new normal; she also had LE for which they did nothing. TOp that off with a complete hysterectomy 2 weeks later and smelling salts to help her adjust to instant menopause! It's so hard to believe when I was a teen that was the treatment- wow I am a fossil. Anyway makes me feel like I had it pretty cushy when I had my DMX. But you read through the history of bc and it was brutal plus there was a social stigma attached. I came across this blog when I was researching prior to my MX and couldn't even fathom mx surgery without anesthesia and with primitive tools. http://allmyeyes.blogspot.com/2011/10/breast-cancer-awareness-1777.html Besides they had no BC org to turn to. I sure hope that in 10 years so much has changed that women are able to look back at our treatments and say "wow, it's crazy that just 10 years ago those ladies had to go through all that!"
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hi all i have read all the posts and will respond tonight if i'm able to. Tonight, i'm going to the childrens hospital to see my nephew:
My nephew was ran over last night by my niece on a riding lawn mower. He may lose his leg because it was barely hanging on when the paramedics got there. My niece is devastated, she tried to kill herself last night after it happened. My sister and her wife are at a Dallas childrens hospital and will probably be there for a month. It's just so rough on them because not only do they have my nephew but they have 5 other kids at home too. So if you think about it and want to say a quick prayer, we would all appreciate it.
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My gosh Chrisrenee.... awful beyond words. Thoughts with you and your family ((((hugs)))
Shianne - great post, almost spit my coffee out on the screen reading it.
Jumping in pockets when needed.
So busy at work, but as everyone is putting on new avatars, been pissing around wtih the camera here. New avatar with hair
That's why this board is a lifesaver.... whatever our emotion, someone has been there, done that and can relate. Love you all - hugs xxx
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Omg!! Chrisrenee. Prayers to your family. How old is your nephew and niece? What a tragic accident! I hope his leg can be spared. Heartfelt prayers coming your way!
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Prayers and healing vibes to you and your family chrisrenee!
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Chrisrenee Prayers for all involved
Tazzy Looking great sister!
Ah common Juneau they are all good angles! Looking great too.
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Chrisrenee, many positive thoughts coming their way; with new technology, I am hoping they can save his leg. How old is he?
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Chrisrenee - adding my prayers
Tazzy - lovely lady
Juneau - looking good
2fried - thanks for sharing re: your mom - how horrible for all the ladies that went through similar during that time period and were also made to feel it was shameful to talk about. So glad that times have changed and continue to change
Mariannelizabeth - good to see you, how are you doing?
Karen - great post0 -
chrisrenee - so sorry to hear about your nephew - sending healing prayers to you and your family.
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Chrisrenee my prayers are with you and your family. Hang in to each other and your love will get you through!
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Chrisrenee. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Melissa0 -
Chrisrenee ....Good grief...healing thoughts for your whole family.
Tazzy...lookin good girl!
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Chrisrenee - Margot prayers and hugs coming you and your families way. I can't imagine what you and your family is going through.
Thanks everyone for being in my pockets and all the support. They were really nice and I go in for the colonoscopy in July so I have time to mentally prepare.
Will catch up more later. I am out to dinner with my DH tonight alone. WGAT a treat!0 -
Chrisrenee,
Prayers to you and your loved ones. Hoping for the best!0 -
Chrisrenee, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through this terrible time.
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Chrisrenee, your sister and family are in my prayers .... I hope your niece gets the help she needs ... What a horrible thing for her to experience .... Hugs to them all.
Tazzy, great avatar.0 -
My new adopted daughter....sent you a PM......
Tazzy and Juneau....looking fabulous!!!0 -
Chrisrenee, you and your family are in my thoughts. Echo what Joanne said. ((HUGS))
Had my 6 month surgeon check up today and all went well. So, I'm good for another 6 months with him. It was a beautiful day in Toronto. Sunny and warm, restaurant patios open, looks like Spring is really here. Finally.
Great, updated avatars ladies.
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Met with the MO asst since I am not in active treatment. Have to give her kudos, we met for an hour. So this peau d'orange is from radiation...so if you gals with rads get this..don't freak like I did! It is basically edema, fluid buildup the BS and now her say this it not too bad as of now so no therapist needed at present. Interesting that these SE can first appear even year later..it has been 5 months for me. She also wants me to up Vitamin D to 8000 IU a day since I am in mid 30 range which is low normal end..but she wants it in mid 40's. Also advises me to get to a dermatologist yearly now for skin checks as melonoma is more common in bc patients. Of course says to watch fatty foods, alcohol and get exercise as best tools to fight recurrence. So since I have rad dr checkup in June, BS with another mammo in July, she won't see me until Oct to spread the visits to the team out.
Momof3, I had my physical last month and I too have to get colonoscopy sometime this year since I am over 53 and not done so yet and the doings of last year put it on hold. So won't be too far behind you...
So ...am thinking of buying a mini tiller to till the little garden space and flower beds i have..I think I can do this and then won't worry about using the arm too much for digging in the hard clay soil to turn it over etc. Going to join Tazzy and Karen with the green thumb ideas. Have had just a tomato plant, cucumbers, peppers before but want to spend more time playing in the dirt this year, so will expand and try a few more things.
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Chrisrenee: what a horrible accident! Your nephew and niece and the whole family are in my prayers.
All: just catching up after 3 weeks of unrelenting work including on weekends. Hugs to all! Sounds like everyone has spring fever: that sense that we're sick and tired of cold grey days, and of feeling blue and not fully well. Hope this week brings sunshine outdoors and in our hearts.
Shari: sorry the path was not as clean as you'd like, but hang in there -- it gets better.
To everyone exercising: good on you. I need to make time for that, and need some running shoes as mine are ancient. I have bought a swimsuit so I can go swim laps at the gym-- now have to motivate self to gym, and into the initially cold water. I am a former runner who wrecked my feet so running is out, but ellipticals work. As does swimming. I need to lose 50 lbs.
Closed a deal today after 3 intense weeks of work for a new institutional client I've been schmoozing for 8 years. It was hard, but got it done & felt almost like my old self. Am in bed now, recovering! At 3 pm! Client was appreciative, and that makes up (almost) for another client that is having a hissy fit over something happening in court that we predicted but could not prevent. What can you do. taking a relaxation class from my cat sensei.
Hope all have a good evening, with some good food and rest tonight, and no side effects or troubled emotions.
Embok0 -
Chrisrenee, My thoughts are with your sister and her family.
Tazzy and Juneau, beautiful avatars. Guess I better look at updating mine one of these days.
Off to my Livestrong workout, have a good night.0
