2013 Survivors!!!
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HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISRENEE!! Tazzy got the cupcakes..so here is some chocolate too
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Chrisrenee I am not as talented as Tazzy, Aruba and Lorall but wishing you a terrific birthday just the same!
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Happy Birthday ChrisRenee!!!
OK ladies... I've been away. I got a horrible cold that put me in bed all weekend. I managed to slug through work yesterday and then back to bed. I just skimmed the last 3 days.... hugs to all who need them and are awaiting damn Drs phone calls. My MO called me on Friday and left me a message saying my CEA #'s were elevated. She thinks it's due to inflammation from my Crohns Disease, and only needs to monitor it for now.
kkuziel; I had the exact same numbers as you. 0/5, oncotype of 22. I didn't have a secondary test, and I had a UNSMX instead of a Lump. It was a hard decision, but I chose to do chemo. It reduced my recurrence rate considerably and I decided better to just go through it once (no matter how terrifying and severe the course of action taken), then have to ever revisit the experience. I can only now pray that I will remain cancer free. It's a very personal decision when you fall into that nightmarish "intermediate" range on an Oncotype test. I prayed... A LOT.... and then I cried and screamed and cried some more... and I know that I made the right decision for me. (((BIG HUGS)))
liefie; LOVE your new photo! You're beautiful... hope you're healing well.
So my home inspection....! It went well except they couldn't locate the run off system for the septic. There is an old system that has been bypassed, but he can't locate to where. He said he's never had such trouble. So he's going to the town health dept today to look at the records there, has spoken to the current homeowner by now I expect, and then going back to the house to look at it (IF he can find it!). If it can't be identified then the deal will fall through. My very close friend worked for this guy for 5 years and I know he knows his stuff.. so fingers crossed. I'll let you all know as soon as I hear anything!
I know I missed so many of you... apologies. I hear that you are struggling with SEs from the Tamoxifen. I will say this again and again... please PLEASE go get Gabapentin (neurontin) from your Drs. I went on it... I was having NIGHTMARISH HOT FLASHES... and now they are 100% gone. No bone pain, no night sweats (except when I have my period which has always been the way), nothing. I feel GREAT. Please PLEASE just TRY IT! I take 300 mg 2 x a day now, but was taking 300 3x at first, but I kept forgetting the midday dose.
Just TRY the Gabepentin. It's for neuropothy primarily., and many of us took it after our initial surgeries. I read that it's used off label for hot flashes, and sure enough it's worked like a charm for me. Effexor was a nightmare and I went off it in a week. I have also noticed that I am getting some additional feeling back under my arm. In fact I can feel the pressure of the razor when I shave now. Don't know if that's just the nerve endings repairing themselves over time, or the taking of the Gabapentin.Got back on my treadmill this morning after a week of no exercise due to be so sick. It felt pretty good. Then I got on my scale. Down to 168.6. I haven't seen 168 in months... the hard work is finally paying off and it seems my matabolism is finally cooprerating with my calorie counting and exceise program. Makes me hopeful that I can take all this weight off.
ok back to work... xoxo
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Chrisrenne -
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I just thought I would report in from north of Dallas, TX. on the "wonderful" weather we are having. LOTS of wind, horizontal rain, thunder, etc. but no immediate threat to have to jump in the car and get going. Most of the family is home today, thank goodness and we've all got our laptops, money, 1 extra set of clothes and dogs ready to go. Got my brother-in-law watching the radar and looking out the front window and my nephew watching the Weather Channel and watching out the back window. HOPE we do not have to out run this thing as there in NO PLACE to be safe in the house. NO BASEMENTS in Texas for the most part so......wish us luck y'all. I'll keep you posted. Thinking that Northern Virginia might want me back!
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And Happy, Happy Birthday Chrisrenne!
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Chrisrenee, HAPPY BIRTHAY! Tazzy's cupcakes look so good I can just lick them off the page - lol!
Momof3, happy anniversary on Wednesday! 20 years is a long time, but a good man is such a treasure, eh? My DH's loyalty and dedication last year when I went through bc put me to shame. Truly did not know that he loves me that much after 33 years of marriage, and only hope I can do the same for him if ever it becomes necessary.
Juneau, fingers crossed for that run-off system. Heck, it has to be/go somewhere, no? Those records will show where it is, it has to. Congrats on the weight loss! Your dedication to your diet and exercise program is an example to all of us. Way to go! My weight is down to 156 lbs after DIEP surgery. Weighed 161 going in, so PS cut off 5 lbs of tummy fat - LOL. But I'll take it!
I am so, so very pleased with the new boobie and the flat tummy. Recovery is going well too. 5 days out, no pain, can move, walk almost upright, climb stairs, bathe, dress, take care of myself. Feel grateful and very blessed. DD flying in tonight to visit till Sunday - it does not get better than this for me. So looking forward to seeing my girl!
Cmbernardi, please be safe, girl! The devastation there is mind-boggling . . . sincerely hope you can stay put, and that it will abate soon.
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Cmberndi, watch those skies and stay safe.
Liefie, congrats on the instant weight loss, lol. Glad you are happy with the outcome and are doing well recovering. Enjoy your time with your DD.0 -
Way to go on the weight loss.... I am eating a tuna salad at the mo - I ate lots whilst we were away. I bought an elliptical too - only did 15 minutes on it this morning - but that's better than nothing. I do not want to weigh myself. Whoever else wants to send me their weight I will post this week.
Hugs to all xxxxxxxx
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Chrisrenee.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY...💃
Tazzy....good for you ....although I have a treadmill, I think ellipticals are easier on the joints.
Keep the weight loss coming gals.....you are amazing!!!!
Such a sad time for Oklahoma.....OMG all these poor people, and the kids....so young.
Stay safe everyone.....❤0 -
Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I spent my day at my corporate office in Irving, going over a new scheduling system that we will be using in the next several months. Most of the time i was completely lost, so was my boss. lol!Like Carolyn said it's been raining and windy today, we are under a Tornado watch until 7pm tonight. For my birthday tonight, i get to celebrate it by watching Taylor play in her final band concert. I'm so excited for her. We finally got our refinance loan approved we sign the paperwork on friday at 4pm. i'm even more excited that our new deed/loan paperwork will have my correct last name on it. Currently it has my former married name.
Kuziel- i would agree with Joanne and Swegee get a second opinion. I hate when Dr's want to jerk us around, we've already been jerked for a loop when we were diagnosed.
Swegee- Good luck on the house! so excited for you.
Tazzy- glad you had fun and your outlaws aren't so bad.
Juneau- how did the inspection go and when do we move in?
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HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISRENEE!!!!!!!!!!
I hope everyone stays safe. Update us when you can.
Juneau - I hope all goes well with the run off, but remember it is better to know everything to help you make your decision.
We had the inspection on our 2nd house today and, although we are still waiting for the actual report, the issues seem minor as of now and we are keeping our fingers crossed. We are going down again this weekend to make our final decision, but things are looking good at this point.
Hugs to everyone and stay safe!!! We are having a tornado warning here in CT right now.0 -
Happy birthday chrisrenee!
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Happy BIrthday Chrisrenee.
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Heading for RADS. "mapping" tomorrow. Whoo hoo, cannot wait. I hope I can get my big Frankenstein boot up on the table! Any words of wisdom from the crowd?
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cmbernardi.... start moisturizing now... and then some more. Use the saline soaks - eases the redness and soreness and then go and moisturize more - seriously.
Stay safe everyone and hugs to all xxxx
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Cmbernardi, you've reached the final stage, and you will fly through it. Compared to chemo it is so doable. Just keep on lubing the boob, cool it down with non-alcoholic aloe vera, and sleep when you are tired. Before you know it, it will be done. You've got it. Don't worry about Frankenboot. That's what the techs are there for, and they will help you.
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Thank you Tazzy! I'm not familiar with the saline soaks. Where can I purchase? Thanks again!
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Chrisrenee, best birthday wishes from me too!
liefie, so glad your surgery went well and that you even got the 5 pound weight loss bonus! Royal Jubliee was there as well the old Victoria General when I worked there long ago. The new Vic General is on the way up island.
Cmbernardi, I have now had rads #10 and so far so good. I am doing as Tazzy says, and using Glaxol Base.
I am feeling almost as good as I did pre chemo though have an oddly high pulse which I only really noticed on a hike Sunday and cycling yesterday when I was wearing my heart monitor (one of the sports ones that I have used trekking and training for years). I put it on at home today and resting is 90+. BTW, a friend on the hike who is a nurse checked my pulse to make sure the monitor is working. I mentioned it to my RO today but he did not even bother taking my pulse and kind of intimated nothing wrong. Maybe true but I did get him to order a CBC for starters. I don't see my MO for a month and hope it is nothing rather than what I call a "cancer take-away.
With daily rads and other appts. and also my weekly Mindfulness classes and homework I have had a hard time keeping up here but try to read still. Juneau and Swigee, the classes have been really good and I am doing my homework dutifully!
Hi to everyone else!
Marian0 -
OK, Glaxol Base - got it. I cannot sleep (as usual) so I will go online and try to buy it. I've not heard of it before so I hope it is not just a Canadian thing!
Thanks again everyone and all the best to you Marian. Keep an eye on that heart rate thing, OK? Perhaps a little more fluids?
Peace!
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Flowers...❤....you can buy saline soaked pads at the drugstore rather than making the solution up. I did that at the beginning but got too tired. IMHO they were worth the money.
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Don't buy anything before you know what your MO wants you to use. I bought some items and when I brought them in to be checked the first day I found out I couldn't use them. Each facility has their favorites that they like you to use. I burned really bad and the thing that worked best was Calendula Cream by Bioron (I bought the first tube from them and then bought more cheaper on Amazom) and Aquaphor. The Aquaphor was very greasy, but worked really well on the burns and open spots. Whatever you do don't put aloe on open spots. I did this and it burned even more. The aloe is great if there are no open apots though. I would also cut up old t-shirts and put it over the open spots so it was not skin to skin and that really helped. Only about 1/3 is the people burn and very few burn as bad as I do so don't worry. PM me if you have specific questions.
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As for rads, all will have different products they used. I was given radiagel from the rad team as well as Mepilex foam to place under boob, that worked so well. Biggest problem area for me to keep watch was the underboob. Having lumpectomy, the underboob where skin hits skin gets little air. I spent alot of time lying down with a big fan keeping air on underboob. That and radiagel, aloe cream, calendula cream and Tazzy's soothing saline soaks solution were the miracle items that had my radiologist very happy with my skin. I had some peeling by SNB and the underboob, but nothing major and had 31 rads. Nothing noticable at all except for suntan coloring until about 3 weeks in. Also had some itchy bumps develop (like mild sun posioning) but the creams soothed and they quickly disappeared. Just keep loobin the boob--but no loob a few hours before treatment!!!!!!!!! Take the creams etc and slather on when you change into clothes again and every few hours worked for me!
Websister..thinking good thoughts for you!
Already being told of severe storms with high winds developing this afternoon. Temps gonna fall from mid 80's t0 high of 70 tomorrow. Gonna finish up with garden and pack for the weekend today, heading out tomorrow. Have a wonderful weekend and long holdiay weekend for pals in the US. I'll eat a beigneit with a toast for all
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A Scottie1, Momof3Great, ETC.
Thanks for all of the advice about RADS. I'm heading for mapping in just a few minutes but wanted to let U all know how much i appreciate ALL of you, your advice, your understanding and your connections. I (we) could not make it through any of this without you.
All the best to all of you today and everyday for a peaceful, joyful, lovely day with no to minimal SEs. HUGS to all!
Peace!
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Carolyn - Agree with what everyone has said. Are you going to a Texas Oncology office? Not that it really matters but I went to one. Second asking b4 buying anything. Mine had me buy Xclair which is prescription and Aquaphor. That is all I used and had 33 tx. I peeled minimally and worked all the way through it. I did start using calendula baby cream from Target after treatment. And it smells heavenly. I used it for some winter dry skin itch too. Let the staff know how much help you will need. Believe me, they assist patients in much worse shape. I would let them know if you expect the boot to be discontinued during tx as it might change your alignment. Mine put funky velcro straps about my shoes to remind me not to move my legs. Mapping will be a pain in the u-know-what and it will take time and prob. 2-3 appts to get it right. It is a lot of time lying flat during mapping but tx time will be very quick. More time waiting/dressing/undressing than actual treatment time.
Did you get any storm damage? We had only minimal winds and some rain. Love the blue skies this morning. I understand from the weather some places had a record low this morning. Yesterday afternoon after the storms was just lovely.
I know you've prob. already left. Maybe you can read this on your phone.
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Chrisrenee, Happy happy birthday!! How sweet it is!!
Momof3, congratulations on your 20th Anniversary!! What a milestone!! Have a great time celebrating with your DH.
Kkuziel, I hope your meeting with your MO helps clarify things for you, but yes, talk with someone else. Even with all of these tests, they can't predict the future. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what's best for you, given all the information. My Onco. Score is 18 , 0/2 nodes, and we were trying to avoid chemo because I already have neuropathy in my feet. My MO said she wouldn't consider chemo unless I was 24 or higher. I was comfortable not doing chemo, knowing that I will be followed diligently by my medical team, which is the reason my BC was caught in stage 1 in the first place. It's not an easy decision to make. Maybe see if you can talk with a cancer psychologist. (What a concept...talk with someone at diagnosis instead of waiting until afterward when things fall apart!). Good luck and keep us posted, you can get through this! We're all here for you!!
Cmbernardi, don't forget about the Rads thread, they were my lifeline through rads!! In your pockets!!
Hugs everyone!!! Love you all!0 -
Just a quick note before I hop in the herceptin chair to say my neck scan came back clean. Woo hoo. One down, one to go... Thanks for being in my pockets! Hugs!
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Ramols, YAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy for you!!!!!! Hang in there for the next one!
Luvmygoats, so relieved you're safe!
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Yay Ramols!
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